THE PERCEPTIONS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF BENIN THEATRE AUDIENCE

ABSTRACT

This study examines the perception of the University of Benin Theatre's audience of the duties of a stage manager in the theatre. In carrying out a critical analysis of this study, the survey research design was adopted. Under this research design, the interview modality was employed for this study and this involved questioning carefully selected people who possess the general characteristics of the entire population and whose opinions and views therefore became the aggregate representation of the opinions and views of the study population. Apart from the interview method, data was also generated through primary and secondary sources. Major findings in the course of this research were that the distorted views of the stage managers' functions held by the audience would result to a devaluation of his work. In addition, the stage manager holding a distorted view of his duties would bring about an unsuccessful production. Upon these findings, it was recommended that stage management should be included among the compulsory courses of the 100 level students of the Theatre Arts Department. Furthermore, aspiring stage managers' should be presented with necessary qualities and skill sets they ought to possess which will be useful in the world of theatre.