Email: ejeke@delsu.edu.ng

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  • Area of Specialization: Theatre Directing, Modern African Theatre, Theatre History, Theatre Research, Dramatic Literature
  • Department of Theatre Arts

  • Odiri S. Ejeke, PhD. A theatre directing scholar, Odiri S. Ejeke holds a B.A. (Hons) in the Performing Arts from the University of Ilorin, M.F.A. and PhD in Theatre Arts (Directing Major) from the University of Calabar, Calabar Nigeria. O.S. Ejeke is currently a Reader in Directing, Theatre Research and Modern African Theatre at the Department of Theatre Arts, Delta State University, Abraka – Nigeria. He is keenly interested in patterns and forms of the new Nigerian Theatre. He has directed many African and Foreign plays for the stage. He is the founder and Editor of the Theatre Business series. He has also published widely in academic journals locally and internationally and contributed several chapters to books. O.S. Ejeke is a member of the Society of Nigeria Theatre Artistes (SONTA), the American Studies Association of Nigeria, among others. He is the author of 'Zulu Sofola's Tragic Vision, Creating the Performance: A Manual for Theatre Directors, Studies in Directing and Theories of Acting (forth coming) and the Editor, Theatre Business Vols. 1,2, and 3 etc. He joined the services of the Delta State University, Abraka in April 1999. Dr. Ejeke has been the Acting Head of the Department of Theatre Arts, Delta State University for four times (February, 2007- January, 2008, February, 2009- March 2010, January, 2015-February, 2016 and April, 2020-). Earlier on, he was Associate Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Delta State University, Abraka from March, 2006-February, 2007. Besides, he has held many other positions bordering on representing the department of Theatre Arts and the Faculty of Arts at many fora. He has also taught and supervised competently many undergraduates, M.A. and Ph.D students. As a trained Theatre Director, he has directed over twenty five plays for the stage, some of which are: The Dark Lady of Sonnets by G.B Shaw, (1983), A restless Run of Locusts by Femi Osofisan, (1984), Memories in the Moonlight by Zulu Sofola, (1985), The Beauty of Dawn by James Ngombe, (1986), The Proposal by Anton Chekhov, (1988), The Lesson by Eugene Ionesco, (1988), Muntu by Joe de Graft, (1988), Mfon by Sonny Samson-Akpan, (1992), The Island by Athol Fugard, W. Ntshona and J. Kani, (1996), Delta Stress University devised by the Theatre Arts Unit, Department of Performing Arts, Delta State University, Abraka, (2000), The Silent Gods by Ahmed Yerima, (2001), King Emene by Zulu Sofola, (2002), Seeds of Fate by T. Tuedon, (2001), Banner of Peace by Best Ugala, (2003), This Land must Sacrifice by Bakare Ojo Rasaki, (2003), Rogbodiyan by Bakare Ojo Rasaki, (2004), The Gods and the Scavengers by Bakare Ojo Rasaki, (2008), Adam & Eve by T. Tuedon, (2010), Who is Afraid of Solarin by Femi Osofisan, (Delsu Convocation Play, 2014), Ijataha by Oghenevize M. Umukoro, (2017), Feast for the Dead by Oghenevize M. Umukoro, (2018), Old Wines are Tasty by Zulu Sofola, (2019), etc
    My Publications
  1. Odiri S. Ejeke (2019) "Reflections on Nwamuo's Contribution to the Nigerian Theatre". Creativity & Development: Selected Essays on Nwamuo's Intellection, University of Calabar Printing Press
    Vol. Pages: 442-455

  2. Odiri S. Ejeke (2018) “The Dramaturgy of Human Experience and Dynamics of Change: An Interpretation of Ola Rotimi’s”. , Hopes of the Living Dead”. Reflections on Theatre, Media and Human Conditions, eds. Charles Ukim Adora & Edward Ugbada Adie. Calabar: University of Calabar Press,
    Vol. Pages: 135-145

  3. Odiri S. Ejeke (2017) “Africanising Theatre Directing”. , Theatre and Media in the Third Millenium, eds. Edde Iji, Liwhu Betiang & Esekong H. Andrew-Essien. Ibadan: Kraft Books Ltd.,
    Vol. Pages: 81-91

  4. Odiri S. Ejeke (2017) “Ola Rotimi’s Directorial Style”. , Cultural Rejuvenation Theatre Management & Performance Aesthetics: A Festschrift in Honour of Muyiwa Awodiya, eds. Chris Ugolo, Okey Okwechime & Nicholas Akpore. Benin City: Headmark Publishers,
    Vol. Pages: 141-148

  5. Odiri S. Ejeke (2017) “The Poetics of Theatre Directing”. , Theatre Business Vol. 3, edited by O. S. Ejeke. Abraka: DELSU Printing Press,
    Vol. Pages: 1-15

  6. Odiri S. Ejeke (2016) “Drama and Socio-Political Emancipation in Africa”. , Music Scholarship, Culture and Performance in 21st Century Africa: A Critical Resource Book in Honour of Emurobome Idolor, eds, Kenneth Efakponana Eni, Benedict Binebai and Solomon Oziakpono Ikibe. Lagos & London: Bahiti & Dalila Publishers,
    Vol. Pages: 468-477

  7. Odiri S. Ejeke (2015) “Directing Sound in the Theatre”. , Scene Dock: A Journal of Theatre Design and Technology
    Vol.1 Pages: 1-19

  8. Odiri S. Ejeke (2014) Theatre Business Vol. 2 edited with an introduction by Odiri S. Ejeke. , Abraka: DELSU Printing Press,
    Vol. Pages:

  9. Odiri S. Ejeke (2014) “The Renaissance Interpretations of Aristotle’s Poetics”. , Theatre Business Vol. 2. Abraka: DELSU Printing Press.
    Vol. Pages: 16-37

  10. Odiri S. Ejeke (2013) “Poetics of the Absurd in Ola Rotimi’s Holding Talks: A Manual for Theatre Directors”. , The Dawn Journal
    http://thedawnjournal.in/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/4-Odiri-Solomon-Ejeke-Paper-1-July-2013.pdf Vol.2, No. 2 Pages: 402-415

  11. Odiri S. Ejeke (2013) “Searching for the Meaning: The Purpose of Play Analysis for Production.”, The Dawn Journal,
    http://thedawnjournal.in/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/12-Dr.Odiri-Ejeke-Paper-2-July-2013.pdf Vol.2, No. 2 Pages: 465-477

  12. Odiri S. Ejeke (2012) “Directorial Reflections on Rasheed Gbadamosi’s Plays”. , West African Theatre & Performing Arts Journal,
    Vol.1 No. 2 Pages: 101-109

  13. Odiri S. Ejeke (2012) “Sound Manifestation in Play Production”. , Journal of Society of Nigerian Artists, Rivers & Bayelsa States Chapter,
    Vol.5 No. 1 Pages: 55-63

  14. Odiri S. Ejeke (2012) “The Leadership Question and the Niger Delta Crisis”. , International Journal of Current Research in the Humanities,
    Vol.No. 13 Pages: 41-51

  15. Odiri S. Ejeke (2012) “Theatre Directing and Communication, International Journal of Current Research in the Humanities,
    Vol.No. 14 Pages: 83-95

  16. Odiri S. Ejeke (2012) “Theatrical Productions and Cultural Revival in Nigeria”. , International Journal of Current Research in the Humanities,
    Vol.No. 15 Pages: 76-87

  17. Odiri S. Ejeke (2012) “Sound and Silence in Theatrical Productions”. , A Gazelle of the Savannah: Sunday Ododo and the Framing of Techno-Cultural Performance in Nigeria II edited by Osakue S. Omoera, Sola Adeyemi & Benedict Binebai. Rochester, Kent, United Kingdom: Alpha Crownes Publishers,
    Vol. Pages: 591-601

  18. Odiri S. Ejeke (2012) “Spatial Organisation and the Technical Dilemma in Contemporary Nigerian Theatre Practice: A Re-Assessment”. , Fireworks for a Lighting Aesthetician: Essays and Tributes in Honour of Duro Oni @ 60 edited by Sunday Enessi Ododo. Lagos: Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization,
    Vol. Pages: 145-154

  19. Odiri S. Ejeke (2012) “Theatre Education and Human Development”. , Theatre Business Vol. 1 edited by Odiri Solomon Ejeke. Benin City: Masterpiece Prints and Publishers,
    Vol. Pages: 103-111

  20. Odiri S. Ejeke (2012) “Impact of Elizabethan Stagecraft on Contemporary Media Drama”., The Dramaturgy of a Theatre Sociologist: A Festschrift in Honour of Ayo Akinwale, edited by Abdulrasheed Abiodun Adeoye. Ilorin: Department of the Performing Arts, University of Ilorin,
    Vol. Pages: 176-187

  21. Odiri S. Ejeke (2012) Creating the Performance: A Manual for Theatre Directors. , Benin City: Masterpiece Prints & Publishers,
    https://www.academia.edu/8244093/Creating_the_Performance_A_Manual_for_Theatre_Directors Vol. Pages:

  22. Odiri S. Ejeke (2012) Theatre Business Vol. 1 edited with an introduction by Odiri S. Ejeke. , Benin City: Masterpiece Prints and Publishers,
    Vol. Pages:

  23. Odiri S. Ejeke (2011) Zulu Sofola’s Tragic Vision. , Benin City: Masterpiece Prints & Publishers,
    https://www.academia.edu/6611732/ZULU_SOFOLAS_TRAGIC_VISION Vol. Pages:

  24. Odiri S. Ejeke (2011) “Significance of the Director’s Interpretation in Play Production”. , International Journal of Current Research in the Humanities,
    Vol.No. 11 Pages: 28-40

  25. Odiri S. Ejeke (2011) “Theatre Directing and the Performance Venue”. , Applause: Journal of Theatre and Media Studies
    Vol.2(1) Pages: 19-28

  26. Odiri S. Ejeke (2011) “Culture and the Business of Theatre in Nigeria”. , Abraka Humanities Review 4
    Vol.4 No. 1 Pages: 64-72

  27. Odiri S. Ejeke & Godwin O. Irivwieri (2009) “Artistic Symbols and the Efficacy of African Medicine”., International Journal of Humanities, 1
      Vol.1 No. 2 Pages: 92-98

  28. Odiri S. Ejeke (2009) “Directing in the University Theatre”. , International Journal of Current Research in the Humanities,
    Vol.No. 6 Pages: 1-13

  29. Odiri S. Ejeke (2008) “Tragic Vision in ’Zulu Sofola’s Wedlock of the Gods and King Emene”. , African Women Drama and Performance edited by Irene Salami-Agunloye. Boston, Mass., USA: Evergreen Books, revised in 2011: 51-60.
    Vol. Pages:

  30. Odiri S. Ejeke (2007) Para-Linguistic Aesthetics in Ola Rotimi’s Theatre”. , Bakare, Ojo Rasaki (ed.) Ola Rotimi’s Drama and Theatre: Issues and Perspectives. Abuja: Roots Books & Journals Nigeria Ltd.,
    Vol. Pages: 62-71

  31. Odiri S. Ejeke (2006) “Theatre in Nigeria and National Development”. , M. I. Osakwe and B. O. Okiwelu (eds.) African Arts and National Development. Ibadan: Kraft Books Ltd.,M. I. Osakwe and B. O. Okiwelu (eds.) African Arts and National Development. Ibadan: Kraft Books Ltd.,
    Vol. Pages: 251-260

  32. Odiri S. Ejeke (2006) “Technology and the Creative Imagination in Contemporary Nigerian Theatre”. , Duro Oni and Sunday E. Ododo (eds.) Technical Theatre Practice in Nigeria: Trends and Issues. Lagos: Centre for Black African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC),
    Vol. Pages: 37-43

  33. Odiri S. Ejeke (2006) “Experimental Directing and Improvisation”. , The Creative Artist: A Journal of Theatre and Media Studies 1
    Vol.1(1) Pages: 93-104

  34. Odiri S. Ejeke (2003) “The Brechtian Phenomenon in Dramatic Theory and Theatrical Performance”. , Theatre Experience: A Journal of Contemporary Theatre Practice
    Vol.2(1) Pages: 18-28

  35. Odiri S. Ejeke (2003) “The Poetics of Theatre Directing”. , Theatre Studies Review 3
    Vol.3(1) Pages: 56-71

  36. Odiri S. Ejeke (2002) “Aesthetic Theories and the Arts”. , The Performer: Ilorin Journal of the Performing Arts
    Vol.4 Pages: 51-62

  37. Odiri S. Ejeke (2002) “A Socio-Cultural Interpretation of ‘Zulu Sofola’s Memories in the Moonlight”. , The Parnassus: University of Uyo Journal of Cultural Research
    Vol.1(1) Pages: 34-43

  38. Odiri S. Ejeke (2002) “The Drama of Contemporary Significance: A Review of Chris Nwamuo’s Three Plays”. , Focus on Theatre: A Quarterly Journal of Theatre Discourse 3
    Vol.3(1) Pages: 146-152

  39. Odiri S. Ejeke (2002) “A Peep into Ola Rotimi’s Theatre”. , Kiabara: Journal of Humanities Supplement 1
    Vol.1 Pages: 223-234

  40. Odiri S. Ejeke (2002) “The Great Cultural Heritage”. , CASTALIA: Ibadan Journal of Multicultural/Multidisciplinary Studies 2
    Vol.2 Pages: 68-76

  41. Odiri S. Ejeke (2002) “The Drama of Contemporary Significance: A Review of Chis Nwamuo’s Three Plays”. , Focus on Theatre: A Quarterly Journal Theatre Discourse
    Vol.3 No. 1 Pages: 146-152

  42. Odiri S. Ejeke (2001) “Aesthetic Analysis and the Arts: An Introductory Review”. , Humanities Review Journal 1
    Vol.1(2) Pages: 9-15

  43. Odiri S. Ejeke (2001) “Ola Rotimi’s Drama and the Democratic Quest in Nigeria”. , Nigeria Theatre Journal 6
    Vol.6(1) Pages: 22-27

  44. Odiri S. Ejeke & Prof Nwamuo (2001) “The Relationship of the Director with the Costume Designer in a Production”. , Focus on Theatre
    Vol.2(3) Pages: 37-47

  45. Odiri S. Ejeke (2000) “Play Analysis for the Director in African Theatre”. , Journal of Creative Arts 1
    Vol.1(2) Pages: 35-40

  46. Odiri S. Ejeke (2000) “The Socio-Political Dimensions of Ken Saro-Wiwa’s Activism”. , Onokome Okome (ed.) Before I am Hanged: Ken Saro Wiwa, Politics, Literature and Dissent. Trenton, New Jersey: Africa World Press, Inc.,
    https://books.google.com.ng/books?hl=en&lr=&id=tAAcIb2XVqgC&oi=fnd&pg=PA17&ots=V3jJ8kAfzy&sig=cEsNGpjVEaJGF5rSmd3dNfIRG04&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false Vol. Pages: 17-24

  47. Odiri S. Ejeke (1999) “Sonny Oti’s Dramatic Techniques in The Old Masters”. , O. R. Bakare (ed) The Artiste – Intellectual: Sonny Oti on Stage. Ibadan: Jofel Books, Revised Edition 2004: 41-51
    Vol. Pages: 43-54

  48. Odiri S. Ejeke (1999) “Communication Media and Child Education in Nigeria”. , New Frontiers in the Humanities Journal 1
    Vol.1(1) Pages: 75-80

  49. Odiri S. Ejeke (1996) “Improvisation and Acting in the Theatre” , Focus on Theatre 2
    Vol.2(2) Pages: 67-71

  50. Odiri S. Ejeke (1996) “The Tragic Impact of Child Abuse in Nigeria”., Focus on Theatre 1
    Vol.1(2) Pages: 80-81

  51. Odiri S. Ejeke (1995) “Dramatic Techniques in Meunier’s Plays”., Ase: An Interdisciplinary Journal for the Study of Nigerian Contemporary Life and Literature
    Vol.2 Pages: 33-40

  52. Odiri S. Ejeke (1994) “The Stage Play and Sound Application: Some Principles”. , L.O.M. Enendu and Onookome Okome (eds.) The Sight of Sound: Sound in the Media and Theatre. Ibadan: Kraft Books Ltd.,
    Vol. Pages: 45-55