TALP X Returns With Powerful Stories of Healing, Recovery and Comedy in October Showcase (see pix)
Terra Academy for the Arts (TAFTA) successfully staged another compelling edition of TALP X on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at Terra Kulture, Victoria Island, Lagos, bringing audiences an evening of theatre that moved through themes of trauma, healing, self-discovery, relationships and humour.
The showcase featured three original stage productions, Àjọṣe, Skunk and Zaddy’s Wallet, each offering a distinct perspective on human experience while demonstrating the range, creativity and performance growth of TAFTA participants.
Àjọṣe opened the evening with a gripping story centred on 15-year-old Caroline, whose silence following a traumatic experience gradually reveals a painful truth. As her family confronts denial, faith, bullying and societal pressure, the play explored the difficult journey towards healing, justice and reclaiming one’s voice.
From the weight of trauma and the courage to speak, the showcase moved into Skunk, a jukebox musical set inside a psychiatric home where a group of women are brought together by addiction, grief and loss.
While many wait for someone to rescue them, one woman chooses to begin her healing from within, inspiring the others to do the same. Through music, movement and sisterhood, the production explored self-recovery and the power of choosing oneself.
Shifting the mood from reflection to laughter, Zaddy’s Wallet closed the showcase with a lively Nigerian comedy filled with money, temptation, friendship and chaos. Featuring a confident baddie, her righteous roommate, a conniving friend and a formidable lawyer wife, the production delivered humour and drama in equal measure, giving audiences a playful ending to an emotionally varied evening.
Together, the three productions reflected the breadth of storytelling TALP X continues to encourage, moving audiences from difficult social conversations to moments of hope, resilience and laughter.
Speaking on the showcase, Bolanle Austen-Peters, Founder of Terra Academy for the Arts (TAFTA), said:
“What makes TALP X special is the freedom it gives our participants to explore very different kinds of stories. This edition moved from trauma and healing to recovery, friendship and comedy, showing just how broad storytelling can be. More importantly, we are seeing our participants grow in confidence, emotional depth and their ability to connect meaningfully with an audience.”
Mr JO Umoibom, Academy Lead at TAFTA, highlighted the importance of giving participants practical opportunities to apply their training.
“TALP X takes learning beyond the classroom and places participants in a real performance environment. They have to collaborate, rehearse, solve creative problems and deliver before an audience. Seeing three very different productions come together successfully demonstrates the level of growth, discipline and versatility they are developing through the programme.”
Mr Chinedu Isagbah, Programs Manager at TAFTA Lagos, noted that the variety of stories presented was central to the value of the showcase.
“Theatre allows us to approach serious conversations while still making room for entertainment and joy. Àjọṣe, Skunk and Zaddy’s Wallet each connected with audiences differently, and that range is important. We want our participants to understand that powerful storytelling can challenge, heal, entertain and inspire, sometimes all within the same evening.”
Produced by TAFTA in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, TALP X continues to serve as one of the Academy’s key performance platforms, giving participants the opportunity to translate their training into fully realised stage productions and gain practical experience within a professional creative environment.
The October showcase reinforced TAFTA’s commitment to developing the next generation of African storytellers by creating platforms where emerging performers, writers and production teams can test their skills, build confidence and engage directly with audiences.
As the curtains closed, audiences left having experienced three very different stories, but one shared reminder of theatre’s ability to make people feel, reflect, connect and laugh.
Through TALP X, TAFTA continues to provide young creatives with the opportunity to find their voices and bring meaningful stories to the stage.
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