The Oyo State Council for Arts and Culture has held auditions for new artistes, as it works towards the expansion and rebrand of the Oyo State Performing Troupe.
Speaking at the auditioning which took place today at the open space of the Cultural Centre, Mokola Ibadan, the Commissioner for the Ministry, Dr. Wasiu Olatubosun stated that the rebranded performing troupe will promote Oyo State’s cultural heritage, norms and values thus projecting the State positively.
Olatubosun charged the auditionees on sacrificial resilience and unwavering determination to work with the visionary structure of the Ministry.
He further urged them to see the phase as an avenue to contribute meaningfully towards the progressive drive of culture and tourism development in the State; asserting that outstanding performances will surely be a source of revenue generation through public acceptability and recognition.
In her remarks, the General Manager, Oyo State Council for Arts and Culture, Mrs Olayinka Adedeji admonished the participants to be good ambassadors of the Council and project the image of the State and bring their expertise to bear should they be successful at the auditions.
Youths and young adults turned out in their numbers for the auditions to display their talents ranging from praise poetry to oral poetry known as ‘Esa’ and ‘Ijala’ respectively. Others displayed singing, chanting, drumming and dancing skills.
Other special features included artistic musical performances, acrobatic display, dance drama, theatrical mimes and cross-cultural music presentation.
Panelists drawn from the Creative Industry conducted the auditions and chose the best candidates.
The panelists were Oriyomi Duro Ladipo, Biodun Adekanmbi, Christopher Abdul Onibasa and some directors of the Ministry.
The audition was birthed by a nine-member committee comprising Directors of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Oyo State Council for Arts and Culture as well as Creative Artists, chaired by Mr Adekunle Agboola.