ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the functionality of art, applied theatre and the commitment of theatre practitioners to social transformation through theatre festivals. It examines theatre festivals as a significant platform to sustain applied theatre practice and encourage theatre-going culture and the works of theatre practitioners and theatre organizations in Burkina Faso, West Africa. Theatre practice in many African countries spans three epochs: the pre-colonial (which includes traditional performance), the colonial (which includes modern theatre tradition/literary theatre) and the post-colonial (contemporary theatre practice). Like many countries in Africa, Burkina Faso seems to have festivals for every aspect of theatre – theatre for development, puppetry, traditional mask, film and music. The chapter presents two examples: the Festival International de Theatre et de Marionettes de Ouagadougou/Festival des Arts du Burkina and Festival International de Theatre pour le Development, two annual theatre festivals committed to social change through arts education in Burkina Faso, West Africa.
