Exclusive Interviews

 Two undergraduates, Ore and Tolu, have just been offered admission into the Obafemi Awolowo University to study Dramatic Arts. They were very elated. At least they would be free from the "mom-and-dad wahala." 

They had met their senior colleagues on Facebook, who encouraged them and shared some exciting experiences about how fun the department was: the overnight rehearsals, the late-night eating, and other enchanting stories that made Ore and Tolu's brains release endorphins. 

Finally, they resumed on the Feb 16, 2021.

They were both given Mozambique Hall. After the Freshers' Orientation, they were asked by the President of the Dramatic Arts Students' Association (DASA) to come to the department. The DASA Executives and the Induction coordinators introduced themselves, and briefed them about the do's and don't's of the department, the Induction rehearsals, the fees to be paid, and everything that's worth taking note of. 

After the meeting, they met other handsome and beautiful faces. Tolu had developed interest in a guy called Testimony because of his jokes, and the fact that he was handsome. 

And within five days, Tolu and Ore had made friends with Toyosi, Adeyinka, Testimony, and Tiannah. 

As the Induction rehearsals started, Tolu and Ore couldn't take it anymore. They became frustrated. Having to wake up 5 a.m to jog to Spider (or to Anglo-Moz), serving others' discipline, doing overnight rehearsals, was a huge task for them. 

"I didn't know I was going to face this," Tolu said, panting like a cursed ram. "If I had known, I would have filled English Language while registering Jamb."

"Omo I don tire!!," Ore lamented. "And my dad warned me, na me tell m say I want to be like Bukunmi Oluwasina. So Bukunmi too passed through all...." 

"Who are those talking over there!" 

They ran with all their might into the Pit as a coordinator glared at them. 

"10! 9! 8! 7! 6!... "

At the count of these numbers, everybody ran as fast they could to avoid being the last. Because the last gets disciplined once the number reaches one....

★★★★★★★

"I can't believe we've ended this initiation rehearsal." Tolu said. "After several weeks of rehearsal, serving punishment and all... We finally triumphed." 

"I am so happy, Tolu," Ore commented. "See the way I look.... At least I'll have time to rest now." 

Do you guys know what I'll do tomorrow like dis?" Tiannah asked rhetorically."I'll first of all skip lectures for 3 days.. After I go..." 

They were already laughing so that stopped her from finishing her words. 

"Me I won't even do all of that," Testimony added. "Na to go find 10 raps of Fufu with Egusi... One Ogufe meat wey dem just fried..."

'"Don't worry, my dear. I will prepare that for you." Tolu said romantically. 

"Awwn Awwn Wahala for who no get bestie o" Toyosi said, laughing. "Abi Adeyinka, se me and you fit dey roll?"

"Roller coaster ni" Adeyinka replied. "Abeg, I dey ache... Make we go chop."

They all stood up and went to their respective hostels. The next day, an interviewer from Stage Voice (the association's blog) called them and asked some questions about their Induction experience. 

Ore was the first. 

SV:

Were you ever, for once, frustrated? If yes, what made you become one?

Ore:

Yes, so many times. Coordinators asking you to do one thing over and over again tho it was for our own good. And times when everybody was disciplined for one person’s offence. 

SV:

 Lol, I can relate

Who was your favorite coordinator? And what made you admire him/her?

Ore:

I had no favorite throughout the initiation process. I disliked most of them but that was then.

SV:

Alright, good

Share an exciting–or a funny–experience you had in the Induction?

Ore:

Omoh I can’t really say a particular I can remember. But the whole initiation process was actually fun and exciting tho it really drained me like mad. 

SV:

Alright... 

10 years from now, what would you remember the Induction for?

 Ore:

A difficult but interesting experience that made me see another aspect of life cause honestly I learnt a lot during that process.

SV:

That's really great

Who and who served as your greatest inspiration?

Ore:

Among the coordinators?

SV:

Yes

Ore:

Faleye and Elvis.

SV:

How did they inspire you?

Ore:

Their directing skills and coordination. And Elvis inspires me also when it comes to aesthetics

How he handles costumes and all that

SV:

What role did you play in the Induction play? 

And how did you manage to get the role despite knowing that there are many talents that can make you feel inferior?

Ore:

Our induction play was Drums of War. I played the role of Princess Omowale, an educated princess that wanted a good change and development.

Well, I think the director saw me to capable of taking the role and I worked towards it too. I never felt inferior rather, I worked with my double cast, Tioluwanimi and we did an amazing job. It was awesome and I’m proud of it.

SV:

This is inspiring

One last question

What advice would you give to the incoming freshers?

Ore:

Dear freshers, just focus, be serious and have fun but in a safe way.

SV:

Thank you.

Speaking with Tolu:

SV:

Were you ever, for once, frustrated? If yes, what made you become one?

Toluwanimi:

Yes I was oo

Cos I had annoying course mates who were intentionally frustrating my effort

And worst of all they started saying trash that got into my head and affected me alot. 

SV:

Yes, I can relate.

It can be frustrating.

Alright, good

Who was your favorite coordinator? And what made you admire him/her?

Toluwanimi:

Elvis. His energy, the fact that he's versatile and that guy will stop at nothing to bring out the best in you.... He might be very annoying and insulting but all that is part of his own way of training... 

SV:

This is great.

Thank you

Share an exciting–or a funny–experience you had in the Induction. 

Toluwanimi: 

When we started jogging it was stressful. I hated it but as time went by I started enjoying it and became part of the 1st 5 ladies to get to pit .. so jogging became something sweet for me. 

SV:

That's awesome

10 years from now, what would you remember the Induction for?

Toluwanimi:

The selflessness and self discovery it taught me

SV: 

Who and who served as your greatest inspiration?

Toluwanimi:

Okay let me say that I had the best coordinators and at one point or another I draw inspiration from all of them. 

SV:

Their names, at least two.

Toluwanimi: Faleye,Elvis, Mercy, David,Waliat,Joshua, Goodness,Anifat , Blessing.....

SV:

Alright good

What role did you play in the Induction play? 

And how did you manage to get the role despite knowing that there are many talents that can make you feel inferior?

Toluwanimi:

Play- Drums of war 

Role- 1st woman (one of the prominent women)

Haaaa that one I tried my best and also believed in myself, I was ready to learn even though I was teased and insulted by some people I went to meet to help me get my character. 

SV:

That's great. 

This is inspiring.

What advice would you give to the incoming freshers?

Toluwanimi: Believe in yourself and respect yourself.

Love your course mates.

No forget God factor.

Respect coordinators. 

Be ready to learn, unlearn everything you know to learn new things.

Trust no body, at the same time when you are in the spirit of theatre trust 100%.

SV:

Alright

Thank you, Toluwanimi. 

Speaking with Toyosi: 

SV:

Were you ever, for once, frustrated? If yes, what made you become one?

Toyosi: Yes alot of times

stress , colleagues frustrating you and all of that

SV: 

Lol, I can relate

Who was your favorite coordinator? And what made you admire him/her?

Toyosi: Lanre 

I love how she dances and she was kind of calm and nice with me

SV:

Alright that's cool

Share an exciting–or a funny–experience you had in the Induction?

Toyosi: I can't say in particular

But definitely there will be good days too and days you always want to remember

During faleye's rehearsals when someone made a mistake and faleye's reaction made everyone laugh.. 

SV: 

(Smiles) 

10 years from now, what would you remember the Induction for?

Toyosi:

The fact that it helped me get over my stage fright

SV: 

That's great

Alright... 

Who and who served as your greatest inspiration?

Toyosi: Faleye and famadewa

SV: How did they inspire you?

Toyosi: Faleye is a very creative being. A type of director that is really strategic and at the same time cool and playful with his inductees... 

Famedewa***

SV:

Alright good

SV:

What role did you play in the Induction play? 

And how did you manage to get the role despite knowing that there are many talents that can make you feel inferior?

Toyosi: I didn't play any main or important role but I had lines

I was just one of the women who wanted revolution

SV: Alright

What advice would you give to the incoming freshers?

Toyosi: Hmmmm

Be open minded , drop your attitude and enjoy the process while it last

SV: 

Thank you

Speaking with Adeyinka 

SV:

Were you ever, for once, frustrated? If yes, what made you become one?

Adeyinka:

Okay, omo na everyday rehearsal o, from morning till evening. It was like an unending process. I got frustrated at some and I felt like quitting

Another thing is during Osao rehearsal. Our director would usually ask us to redo a particular scene over and over again. I remember the day me and Joshua (part 3) were asked to laugh,  what a funny scenario (laughing), we've gotten to the peak of our best at that point in time, but no, our director would shout "Louder!" I lose my voice before the end of the rehearsal that particular day

SV:

(laughing) I can relate

Who was your favorite coordinator? And what made you admire him/her?

Adeyinka:

Faleye Ifeoluwa. Yeah, I just love his vibe, he would definitely make you enjoy his rehearsals, no dulling moments. And upon all, he's very very very and magically good. Lol, don't mind me, when you love someone too much. 

SV: 

That's great

Share an exciting–or a funny–experience you had in the Induction?

Adeyinka:

You know that moment when someone ought to deliver his or her line as "all men" and then you hear "all Mens". You be like "all what?". Stuffs like that makes you laugh like you will never laugh again

SV: That's funny

10 years from now, what would you remember the Induction for?

Adeyinka: Hmmm, great question

A moment I really understand how team work and corperation works. It showed me the heart of theatre which is oneness.

SV:

This is great

Indeed great

Who and who served as your greatest inspiration?

Adeyinka:

Yusuf David, I learnt a lot from him.

SV:

Alright

What role did you play in the Induction play? 

And how did you manage to get the role despite knowing that there are many talents that can make you feel inferior?

Adeyinka:

I took the major role in the induction play. Inferiority is not my thing when it comes to abilities and potentials. I believe we are unique in our ways. It was the director that called me one particular day like that, he told me that I would be double casting for the major role. And eventually I took the role, definitely I gave him what he's looking for.

SV:

That's great

What advice would you give to the incoming freshers?

Adeyinka: 

Enjoy the process, it's definitely going to be stressful, just enjoy it because it's enjoyable.

Speaking with Testimony:

SV:

Were you ever, for once, frustrated? If yes, what made you become one?

Testimony:

Trust me the journey wasn't easy. I have been frustrated, I mean I have been frustrated. Trust me this journey no be beans, ranging from my coordinators to my classmates... Hmm . Sometimes my mate would frustrate the hell out of me and then there's absolutely nothing I could do about it.

I remembered a particular day we were disciplined because someone didn't pick number well, mean while the person did it intentionally. 

I remembered the day we were disciplined because some people didn't come to rehearsal. Let me stop the details here because of I should I unsheath the whole saga, we would be talking in pages

SV: 

(Laughing) 

I can relate 

Who was your favorite coordinator? And what made you admire him/her?

Testimony:

My play and osao coordinators except Indigo (laughing). Also I didn't like any of the dance coordinators until of recent.

Elvis's savage and creativity made me love him. 

Faleye's friendly approach and script interpretation made me fall for him

SV:

That's really great

Share an exciting–or a funny–experience you had in the Induction?

Testimony:

It's hard choosing the one to share....is it when we frustrated our coordinators, or when we slept off during classes, or number 8 saga, or when we were asked to go look for others in their hostel and someone hid under the bed, while another saw us and ran away... And so on. Trust me, as I remembered those times, I don't really know where to start from

SV: 

That's Funny tho .. 

Testimony:

Yep, when you see different sleeping postures during rehearsals and classes. 

SV: 

 (Laughing) 

10 years from now, what would you remember the Induction for?

Testimony:

A success and then bless my coordinators for making me walk this path

SV: 

Alright, good... 

Do you think Induction is a hurdle every Dramatic Arts student must–or should–go through?

Testimony:

Affirmative! Every one with the aim of becoming a thespian should go through it. This is one the things that shaped and built me

SV: 

That's great... 

Who and who served as your greatest inspiration?

Testimony:

During the induction?

SV:

Yes

Among the coordinators

Testimony:

Elvis

SV:

What role did you play in the Induction play? 

And how did you manage to get the role despite knowing that there are many talents that can make you feel inferior?

Testimony:

We staged Drums of War by Ojo Rasaki. At first, I was to act the king, but after the covid break, I had to act Akogun. A particular role is not meant for you, just be versatile, know this and know peace.

I was asked to act those roles not because I was good,  but because my director wanted to try it out on me. Despite the fact that I am a fast talker I was intentional about the role given me, then my play coordinators helped me interpret the role well.

SV:

What advice would you give to the incoming freshers?

Testimony: 

Love yourselves, be united, be dedicated, concentrate, and be intentional about everything, in all endeavor to read too, and don't forget God

Speaking with Tiannah. 

SV:

Were you ever, for once, frustrated? If yes, what made you become one?

Tiannah: 

Frustrated? A lot of times please

Especially when we were expected to do things and learn stuffs together..you’ll see some people that are ready some people won’t even get the point some people don’t even really care and then we all suffer for it?

Dance rehearsal? When we don’t all get a dance that one on it’s own na war. Osao? Jesus! We struggled with picking songs at the same time …one day we’ll come to rehearsal like an Angel spoke to us and do very well the next day …hehehe rubbish

SV:

Those times were really frustrating

And can be very annoying

Tiannah: 

Play was not an exception when sometimes lateness became tradition some major characters come late how will the director not be disappointed

Frustration is an understatement

SV:

 Who was your favorite coordinator? And what made you admire him/her?

Tiannah: 

Faleye Ifeoluwa he just like soft life

SV:

Share an exciting–or a funny–experience you had in the Induction?

Tiannah:

Hmmm our induction was almost cancelled 5 days to the Induction Ceremony... So our President, as well as other DASA executives,  helped us to beg the HOD and we thank God he listened to our plea. 

SV:

Who and who served as your greatest inspiration?

Tiannah:

Greatest inspiration? Just a lot of creatives and fashion icons

SV:

What role did you play in the Induction play? 

And how did you manage to get the role despite knowing that there are many talents that can make you feel inferior?

Tiannah: 

 One village girl wey them kill for stage

Shey to die Dey make person feel inferior?

SV: 

(Laughing) 

What advice would you give to the incoming freshers?

Tiannah: 

Just endure na the remaining na you sabi o