Students Wright Festival
A U.S.–Nigeria Creative Exchange Initiative
The Students Wright Festival is a transformative cultural and educational platform designed to identify, nurture and amplify the next generation of Nigerian storytellers through theatre, literary expression, international mentorship and cross-cultural collaboration. Presented by CAWADAC in partnership with Indiana University Bloomington, it empowers young African storytellers to move from the classroom to the stage — from Nigeria to Indiana, and to the world. This is a recurring annual initiative.
Vision
To build an internationally recognized platform that empowers young African storytellers through theatre, cultural exchange and global artistic collaboration.
Mission
To create sustainable educational and artistic pathways that connect Nigerian student playwrights with international mentors, institutions, festivals and global audiences.
The Challenge
Across Nigeria and much of Africa, thousands of talented young writers have strong creative potential but very limited access to professional artistic development. This initiative closes that gap.
Core Objectives
- Discover and nurture emerging Nigerian student playwrights
- Promote storytelling, theatre and literary arts among Nigerian students
- Foster U.S.–Nigeria cultural and educational exchange
- Provide mentorship with international theatre professionals
- Encourage student leadership through student-directed productions
- Create pathways for global artistic exposure
- Preserve African storytelling traditions through contemporary theatre
Five Phases. One Pipeline.
A designed pathway from national call to international showcase — from page to stage.
National Call for Student Play Excerpts
Students from Nigerian secondary schools and universities submit excerpts of original plays across categories including social justice, identity, African folklore and community stories.
Selection Process
A panel of literary and theatre professionals reviews submissions and selects nine promising student playwrights, based on originality, storytelling quality, stage potential and cultural relevance.
U.S.–Nigeria Playwriting Workshop
International mentors from Indiana travel to Nigeria for intensive workshops in playwriting, story structure, dialogue, character development, stagecraft, directing and dramaturgy.
Student-Led Productions
Selected plays are staged by students who participate as directors, actors, production assistants, designers, stage managers, writers and technical crew.
International Showcase Opportunity
The play with the highest artistic potential receives an invitation to cultural exchange activities in Indianapolis, including the At First Sight New Works Festival and the Indy-Africa Book & Film Festival.
International Collaborators
In partnership with the Department of Theatre, Drama & Contemporary Dance, Indiana University Bloomington.
- Dr. Ana Cándida Carneiro — Head of MFA Program, Indiana University Bloomington
- Andrew Black — Playwright and Theatre Practitioner, Indiana, USA
Additional facilitators and collaborators may be invited.
Indianapolis Exchange Pathway
Selected Nigerian student playwrights gain international exposure through the At First Sight New Works Festival, the Indy-Africa Book & Film Festival, and networking and mentorship across the Indianapolis arts ecosystem.
Annual Programme Timeline
A recurring annual cycle from launch to international exchange.
From the Classroom to the Stage. From Nigeria to Indiana. From Story to Stage to the World.
Call for entries will be in January 2026