Journal of Development Communication And Applied Theatre

The performing arts, particularly theatre in Nigeria, face a significant challenge in audience engagement, a struggle exacerbated by the global shift towards virtual interactions, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the rise of streaming platforms has introduced a new "virtual audience," necessitating a re-evaluation of traditional engagement strategies. This study explored effective methods for engaging this new virtual audience in Nigerian theatre. The core problem addressed is the declining attendance at traditional stage performances in Nigeria and the imperative for theatre practitioners to adapt to the burgeoning online audience to ensure the continued relevance and appreciation of their art. The study is underpinned by a theoretical framework that merges Philip Auslander's "Liveness: Performance in a Mediatized Culture" and Erika Fischer Lichte's "The Aesthetic of the Performative." This framework interrogates the concept of "liveness" and audience engagement within a technologically mediated performance context. The study adopted a library and documentation methodology. Data was primarily collected through a review of existing literature, including academic journals, conference papers, and online articles, focusing on virtual reality, live streaming, audience participation, and case studies of theatres adopting virtual models. The findings indicate that virtual platforms offer significant opportunities for Nigerian theatre to overcome geographical barriers, reach a wider global audience, and provide flexible viewing options through replays. It is strongly recommended that Nigerian performing artists embrace the virtual space, mastering the use of streaming technologies and platforms. They should strategically leverage this new audience pool to further the appreciation and reach of their art, adapting their performances to foster meaningful engagement in this evolving digital landscape.

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