SPACE MANAGEMENT AND THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS: A FOCUS ON PRINCE ABUBAKAR AUDU UNIVERSITY, ANYIGBA, NEW ARTS THEATRE.

ABSTRACT This study is focused on Prince Abubakar Audu University New Arts Theatre, it various spaces (front of house, audience space, the stage (the acting area) and the back stage areas). And how these spaces are managed through human efforts in order to have an effective and successful production is the major concern. The study is also set to address the problem of mismanagement of the various spaces in the new arts theatre during theatrical productions. Survey method; qualitative and quantitative method is adopted so as to get an authentic data and facts on the theatre spaces. Oral interview and questionnaire (closed-ended and open-ended) will be used as a tool to get the opinions and view of the theatre goers (the audience) and theatre artists. Henry Fayol's Administrative Management theory is adopted in this research in order to address the study. Data collected is analyzed using qualitative and quantitative method of data analysis. From the responses of the respondents to the questionnaires, the theatre as a whole is not properly managed in recent times. The spaces in the theatre are either compressed and lacks cross ventilation or they are unkept, hazardous or they are not serving the purpose for which they were created. In order to avoid low audience patronage and also have a successful theatrical productions, the various spaces in the theatre need to be looked into for proper maintenance, renovations were necessary and making sure that each space serves it function.