Nollywood Dreams

by Jocelyn Bioh

It's the nineties and in Lagos, Nigeria, the "Nollywood" film industry is exploding. Looking to make the first Nollywood film with Western crossover appeal, Gbenga Ezie, Nigeria's hottest director, has decided to host an open casting call for the female lead of his new romantic drama/thriller "The Comfort Zone." Casting for the film draws on more emotions than expected in this imagining of what the growing...

It's the nineties and in Lagos, Nigeria, the "Nollywood" film industry is exploding. Looking to make the first Nollywood film with Western crossover appeal, Gbenga Ezie, Nigeria's hottest director, has decided to host an open casting call for the female lead of his new romantic drama/thriller "The Comfort Zone." Casting for the film draws on more emotions than expected in this imagining of what the growing Nollywood film scene was like as it rose to become the phenomenon it is today.

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Nollywood Dreams

Recommended by

  • Elizabeth A. M. Keel: Nollywood Dreams by Jocelyn Bioh
    “

    Deliciously funny, and an immediate crowd pleaser. I was so charmed by the depth, motivation, and sweetness of the characters. (I'd buy a Dede lunchbox in a heartbeat.) Ms. Bioh does a great job of using touch points to orient folks who might not know much about Nigerian cinema, but who can connect to pop culture from the 90s. The movie magic of Nollywood filters into the theatrical space of the story, blending mediums in a way that's utterly dreamy.

    Deliciously funny, and an immediate crowd pleaser. I was so charmed by the depth, motivation, and sweetness of the characters. (I'd buy a Dede lunchbox in a heartbeat.) Ms. Bioh does a great job of using touch points to orient folks who might not know much about Nigerian cinema, but who can connect to pop culture from the 90s. The movie magic of Nollywood filters into the theatrical space of the story, blending mediums in a way that's utterly dreamy.

    ”
  • Donnetta Lavinia Grays: Nollywood Dreams by Jocelyn Bioh
    “

    Got the chance to see this play read as part of the New York Stage and Film Powerhouse Theater Festival this summer ('16). Such a tremendously funny play. The characters are joyful and lovingly written. And the situation is completely relatable. Delightful as hell! It really fills a much needed comedic space in the African narrative in the American theater. Any theater company would benefit greatly by adding Nollywood Dreams to their season.

    Got the chance to see this play read as part of the New York Stage and Film Powerhouse Theater Festival this summer ('16). Such a tremendously funny play. The characters are joyful and lovingly written. And the situation is completely relatable. Delightful as hell! It really fills a much needed comedic space in the African narrative in the American theater. Any theater company would benefit greatly by adding Nollywood Dreams to their season.

    ”

Development History

  • Reading, New York Theatre Workshop, 2016
  • Reading, Manhattan Theatre Company (MTC), 2016
  • Workshop, New York Stage and Film Powerhouse Festival, 2016
  • Reading, Clubbed Thumb, 2016
  • Reading, United Talent Agency/ Soho Rep, 2015
  • Reading, Urban Stages, 2015
  • Workshop, Lark Play Development, 2014
  • Reading, National Black Theatre, 2013

Production History

  • Workshop, Cherry Lane Theatre, 2017