Alachua County Poet Laureate, actor and producer, E. Stanley Richardson, will represent the U.S. in the inaugural Lagos International Theatre Festival (LITF) in Lagos, Nigeria. From Nov. 15-17 the festival will feature 25 different plays, including Richardson’s live performance of “Satchmo at the Waldorf.”
Lawyer and filmmaker Bolanle Austen-Peters organized LITF in partnership with Lagos State, the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos and corporate organizations such as First Bank of Nigeria Limited.
The inaugural festival aims to bring local and international artists together to build a thriving community for thespians, enhance excellence and promote sustainability within the creative industry, according to a press release.
“Nigeria is especially blessed with imaginative creativity and abundant talents,” Austen-Peters said in the release. “This is what God has blessed us with—the only resource that is infinite. It is important for us to provide a platform where our creatives can explore, tell our stories, and export our positive philosophies and values to the world.”
In addition to international performances from Zambia and South Africa, Richardson will reprise his role as jazz trumpeter Louis Armstrong, his Jewish manager Joe Glaser and jazz great Miles Davis in an exclusive performance of the one-man show “Satchmo at the Waldorf.”
A performance will take place at the Terra Kulture Arts Center on Nov. 17 before Richardson holds an exclusive performance at the U.S. embassy in Nigeria.
The Florida native won Alachua County’s Poet Laureate award in 2020, founded ARTSPEAKSgnv to promote poetry and storytelling, and serves as director of the North Central Florida/Alachua County Youth Poet Laureate Program.
Richardson’s past productions include The Royale, Fences, In Splendid Error, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, New Berry, From Colored to Black, Tambourines to Glory and Free Man of Color.
“We celebrate the vibrant cultural heritage and artistic spirit that make our state truly special,” said Toke Benson-Awoyinka, Lagos State’s commissioner for tourism, arts and culture. “This theatre festival not only showcases the incredible talent of our local performers, directors, and playwrights but also brings our communities together.”
For more information on Richardson’s performance, contact Carol Velasques-Richardson at (352) 672-2122 or RichardsonCarol63@yahoo.com.