Bolanle Austen-Peters: Taking Nigerian Culture to the Global Stage

How did you get into creating musicals?
“Growing up in Nigeria there was no platform to express the combination of my passion for literature, music and dance. I traveled a lot and also watched musicals on Broadway. Musical theatre was a no-brainer when I moved back to Nigeria, especially because of the nay sayers. They motivated me.”

What excites you about African culture?
“African culture has been documented to communicate history from metaphorical carvings, to multidisciplinary works that appreciate history and express current social issues.”

When and why did you open Terra Kulture?
“Terra Kulture is an educational and cultural hub established in 2003 to promote the richness and diversity of Nigerian artists and their works. In it’s 17 years of existence, we have organized and curated over 200 art exhibitions, auctions and 65 book readings. Our production company and theatre has produced over 135 plays and two films now streaming on Netflix.”

What is important when you tell stories?
“When I tell my stories, I apply an element of history, for instance with Fela and the Kalakuta Queens. In historical tellings of Fela, the stories told about his wives were either ambiguous or lacked authenticity. This provoked me to meet the Queens and tell their stories through Fela and the Kalakuta Queens, the Musical.”

What is the best aspect of Terra Kulture?
“What i love best about Terra Kulture is the theatre and my phenomenal actors.”

What excites you about creativity?
“The creative mind is arguably the most intelligent because it creates alternative realities and perspectives.”

Where do you see Terra Kulture in five years?
"In the next five years I anticipate Terra Kulture being the prime hub and haven for creative expression in visual art, literature, performance, activism, and cultural preservation. Our goal is for Nigeria and the world to recognize and reward African creatives for their indispensable dedication to history."

“We were able to build four theatres with Lagos state. Within the next year we have several initiatives planned for Terra Kulture. We intend to represent emerging artists in our eponymous gallery, accommodate writers in our bookstore library, and virtualise our restaurant lounge. BAP Productions has also partnered with Terra Kulture to introduce the Terra Academy for Arts, exploring all facets of theatre production.”

What keeps you motivated?
“What keeps me going is my desire to create this experimental space for young creatives.”

What is the most important thing in life for you?
“The most important thing for me is peace. Experiencing the different people at Terra Kulture and introducing new productions to my cast and crew is just as gratifying.”

What is next for the African continent?
“Last Christmas, four out of five musicals showing in Lagos were from thespians that came out of Terra Kulture. The future is bright for the African continent. People need original African stories and we are here to fulfil their need. Musicals are here to stay. Nigerian culture is here to stay. We are just getting started.”