Untitled - Memorial University of Newfoundland

esist political, social and cultural oppression .
Soyinka's versatility and his commitment to raising the awareness o f the value
of Yoruba theatre was also evident in his introducti on of a Nigerian theatrical season,
the Orisun Repertory, in 1964. During and after the period of official colonization.
indigenous Yoruba plays were not given the same value as the plays performed in
English. For the first time in the history of Nigerian theater, Soyinb arranged for
individual plays in bam Yoruba and Englishto be performed as part of the same
repertoire. On twelve successive evenings threeseparate theatrical companies
performed five different plays in both languages. In 196 1. he wasactively involved in
the foundation of the Mbari Writers and Artists Club in Ibadan . He wasthe co-editor
of 8/0£1 OrpMUSfrom 1961· 1964; literary editor for Orisun Acting EditioIU in 1970;
and editor of the journal Transition which he renamed Ch 'lndaba between 1974 and
1976. He held the position of secretary-general of the Union of Writers of African
People s in 1975 and in 1m. he wasthe administrator of the second International
Festival of Negro Arts and Culture (FFSTAC) held for the first time in Nigeria.
Between his return to Nigeria in 1960 and until his retirement from academia
in 1985. SoyinJca held various full time positions. He waslecturer in English at the
University of Ife for one year in 1962; senior lecturer in English, University of Lagos
(1965-67); chair of the Drama Department and appointed bead of the Department of
Theatre Arts. University of Ibadan in 1967 (spent 1967-72 in prison); and professor of
Comparative Literature and bead of the Department of Dramatic Arts , University of
116