Episode 34 - Alex Oma Pius -

Alex Oma-Pius FRSA holds MA degree in Dramatic Arts from the National Academy ofTheatre and Film Arts, Sofia, Bulgaria. His love of Theatre-in-Education as a force forsocial change, encouraged him to form IROKO Theatre Company in 1996.IROKO Theatre are winners of The Guardian Charity award ‘for innovative approach toeducation’. The company uses African theatre art forms to enhance learning, skills,health and wellbeing of people of all backgrounds and abilities. Alex is responsible forconceiving, developing and producing all IROKO’s creative work. As a facilitator andcommunity theatre director, his work includes creative curriculum projects in primary andsecondary schools and professional development programmes for teachers and dramatutors. Recent productions and performances include site-specific pieces in museumsand heritage centres. He is a visiting lecturer in various universities in Britain andabroad, introducing students to African Theatre and Storytelling as part of their WorldTheatre Studies programme.Alex’s recent and new works include:Speaking Without Voice – a project exploring four Nigerian non-verbal communicationsystems – Aroko, Nsibidi, Uli and the Talking DrumForever Young – a project that uses creative art activities to enhance the health andwellbeing of older people, some of whom are living with moderate dementia.Stories of Africans Living in Newham – a project that will research, record, preserve,celebrate and share the stories of Africans who have helped or are helping to shape theeconomic and urban heritage of Newham.Alex has worked and continues to work as a Consultant for renowned British institutionslike the BBC, the Royal Shakespeare Company, The British Museum and the Museumof London where he is a freelance tutor on Object Handling.Alex’s contribution to the cultural life of Britain has been recognised by various bodies,notably the award he received from the Mayor of London for his “outstandingcontribution to the cultural life of Londoners”. Alex is also a Fellow of The Royal Societyof Arts and Board Member of EKO Trust, currently made up of six schools.