" TOTAL DISCIPLINE, DEDICATION, COMMITMENT AND FLEXIBILITY ARE NEEDED IN DANCE..SAYS MR ISIOMA WILLIAMS .A TOTAL ARTIST....
1. BREIFLY INTRODUCE YOURSELF: Isioma Williams is a Total Theatre Artiste and the Coordinator of Gongbeat Productions, worked with the Lagos State Council for Arts & Culture for five years. Started professional theatre in 1987 as the ‘Lead Drummer’ of Akis-Productions Dance Company and later became the ‘Director of Rehearsals’, Coordinated the 1st International Dance Exchange between Odehe Music & Dance company (Ghana) and Gongbeat Productions Theatre company (Nigeria). He is the founder/director of DrumsView Concept (a theatre academy), creator of Sights and Sounds de l’Afrique (an African drums musical group), got a scholarship to study Traditional Music form from the South Korean Government as CPI 2013 Participant with the National Theater of South Korea. Music & Dance coordinator of Badejoarts based in UK, also a Pioneer member of Korea-Culture Supporters Group, member of the National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners – NANTAP, member of International Dance Council CID, Initiator & Facilitator of ‘JANGGUwithPAPA’(a quarterly drumming workshop sponsored by the Korean Cultural Centre Nigeria, the National Coordinator of the Guild Of Theatre Arts Drummers - GOTHAD.
2. AS A DANCE ARTIST AND INSTRUCTOR WHAT ARE THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS ONE NEEDS TO BE IN YOUR FIELD: Total discipline, dedication, commitment, accommodating and likewise flexible.
3. I REMEMBERED SEVERAL ARTISTS TELLING ME HOW YOU ASSISTED THEM IN GETTING COLLABORATIONS WITH FOREIGN ARTS MEDIUM TO SHOWCASE THEIR TALENTS. HOW DO YOU COME ABOUT THIS? It is by the grace of God Almighty and through the networks God brought my way as a result of years of experience, network and grace. It’s not what I do consciously; it’s part of my being human and I enjoy doing it effortlessly without expecting anything, I don’t even expect appreciation because the best reward or appreciation you can get; comes from God Almighty
4. TELL US SOME MEMORABLE PRODUCTIONS OF YOURS: Quite much but I’ll mention few; very current is when I directed a trilogy (Ayanwunmi, Knife crime and Igbekun) for Osun Arts Foundation a company based in UK; Assistant Choreographer to Sir, Peter Badejo OBE for All African Games (Nigeria); Badejoarts ELEMENTAL PASSION (UK tour) also Music Director of “The Anthem” (a musical stage play); Assistant Choreographer to Koffi Koko and a Performer too with Collective Artistes Theatre Company for 'The Lion and the Jewel' UK tour; National Theater of South Korea residency concert (Musician)
5. HOW DID YOU DEVELOP THE PASSION FOR THESE ARTISTIC UNDERTAKINGS? I think God placed the hunger in me and it developed by implementing and paying attention to it, through continuous learning, constant research and being disciplined too.
6. What is DRUMSVIEW AND GONGBEATS ALL ABOUT? Both are theatre companies aimed at developing and projecting the arts, tradition and culture of our beloved country and continent. I am the coordinator of Gongbeat productions which was formed in 1992, founded by Debo Alexander and consists of trained theatre artistes, practitioners and enthusiasts who have come together to foster the spirit of professional theatre in Nigeria.
I later created and became the artistic director of Drumsview Concept which was established in 2010 as a total theatre company that serves as a theatre academy to train and engage the youths and as well promote and preserve Nigerian cultural heritage. Drumsview has a subsidiary ‘Sights and Sounds de l’Afrique’ a drumming band that uses a fusion of contemporary jazz and African traditional music, in order to create a smooth blend of stage craft and uphold traditional drums and drumming.
7. WHAT NEW PROJECTS DO WE EXPECT FROM YOU? One major project I’m right now craving to bring into existence is the ‘Janggu Drum Festival’ a festival that explores the traditional culture of the South-Korean Janggu drum and Nigerian cultural drums as well as celebrate the quality, uniqueness and similarities. Also as a drum collector, I am working on a ‘Drum and Traditional Rhythm Research Institute’ as well as exhibitions of Nigerian drums and rhythms.
8. WHAT WORD DO YOU HAVE FOR THOSE THAT MAY WANT TO FOLLOW YOUR ARTISTIC FOOTSTEPS? “Godliness” is key! And partnering it with “regard for humanity”
9. YOUR PROJECTION FOR THE FUTURE OF ART: sincere ‘Regards and Rewards’ for the true Arts through healthy competitions.
