A non-profit organisation, James Ene Henshaw Foundation has concluded plans to commence talent hunts in creative art in the six geo political zones of the country as part of efforts to boost literary works.
In this regard, the foundation has expressed determination to embark on the mission of promotion and understanding of African culture through literature and drama.
Secretary of the foundation, Mr. James Henshaw jnr. told journalists in Abuja that the foundation would continue to encourage and promote emerging African writers, initiate and support projects where young people could engage in creative activities.
“The idea for the James Ene Henshaw Foundation stems from the playwright’s own concern for literary work that reflects the experiences of African audiences. Of particular concern too was his desire for plays that could be read and produced by young people in schools and colleges.
To continue this vision, the foundation will seek to promote James Ene Henshaw’s vision by ensuring that his plays continue to be accessible to a wider and younger range of audiences, through the publication and performances of this plays,” he stressed.
He observed that as the older generation of writers move on, there has been a dearth of new playwrights coming through to take their place.
He equally revealed that the foundation would seek to initiate a national yearly festival of drama to be held in Calabar, involving professional and amateur theatre companies from around the country, while the award for drama would be the flagship programme of the foundation.
“The aim of the award is to identify, support and nurture the next generation of African playwrights. The award will be run bi-annually and awarded to a young writer who can demonstrate unique talent and commitment to the art form. The bulk of the award will go to sponsoring the writer to work with an experienced thea-tre director or to participate in a writer-development programme. It will be expected that the writer will complete a new play during the 18-month period,” he added.
James Ene Henshaw Foundation is a charitable organisation dedicated to maintain and promote the literary legacy of James Ene Henshaw, as well as contribute to the development of the dramatic arts in Nigeria and the African diaspora at large.
Other aims of the foundation include to maintain and promote the literary legacy of James Ene Henshaw, publish the collected works of James Ene Henshaw and to oversee the publication of a collection of the author’s plays in one volume.