As a singer I go by Memm Saka

I run with my imagination. Everything you see onstage, there’s something that’s not in the script, so the audience hears more than the lines which helps enhance their experience. 

Interview 

Aida

What inspired this name?

Memm Saka

Two things, Saka is my mothers family name, and family played a huge role in my life after I lost my father, my sister started calling me Memm when we were teens, and it stuck.

Aida

Tell us about your journey into theatre and music? 

Memm Saka 

I started singing when I was 8, my family used to be Anglican, after a while my mother moved to a pentecostal church where I joined the children’s choir. I returned to the Anglican church at 12. I started doing contemporary gospel songs at 8 and at age 14 I moved to classical music. 

In 2016, I moved to Abuja, from Port Harcourt, where I left my job in Marine Engineering to pursue contemporary music. When I moved here I didnt know I would be acting. I saw a flier in 2017 for auditions for singers, actors, and dancers. When I got there I was asked to act, this was for Abuja the musical, produced by Mima Angulu of Krump Studios. When I got there they asked me to act, I just went there to sing, they liked my singing but asked if i could act, and I said I could try. They gave me a script to learn and come back in a few minutes to audition. I auditioned, and I got called back with a role. I stumbled through that production, as an actor, but it was a musical, and I did a duet, and I think this made up for any experience I lacked as an actor. Subsequently the director, Mr Sola Oyeniyi called me later and that’s how I got my second gig as an actor. In 2019 I won the Award of best actor at the Abuja Festival of Theatre (AFT). This was all the validation I needed that I could be an actor. 

Aida

What was your first experience on stage like, and how has it shaped your career in theatre? 

Memm Saka 

There was someone they brought in to come watch, a seasoned professional. I was playing an old man, some uncle, someone in his 60’s. He kept talking to me about being the character, he wanted to see the 60 year old man in me. This stuck with me in how I approach a character, how I submerge myself. To not let Uche show, and I think that is what has carried me even when I won the award at AFT. This and the training I got since then helped shape me as an artist.

The Theatre Landscape in Abuja

Aida

How would you describe the current state of the theatre scene in Abuja? 

Memm Saka 

I’d describe it as a growing industry with a lot of potential. The main challenge right now is the lack of production companies. There’s not enough work or competition among the production companies based in Abuja, which results in some less-than-ideal stories. Studios struggle to maintain consistent quality in actors, scripts, and other aspects, primarily due to the absence of sufficient competition. This is why many talents are moving to Lagos. However, new companies are emerging, so the future looks promising.

Aida

What unique challenges do theatre actors in Abuja face compared to other cities like Lagos? 

Memm Saka 

They pay differently, I have been in studios a bit in Lagos, I think the pay gap is also because of respect. Studios in Lagos garner more respect. For some reason I can understand. As actors in Abuja we have a lot to do on our own in terms of branding and visibility. The respect is way different, even the feedback.

Aida

Are there specific venues or groups in Abuja that you think are vital to the local theatre ecosystem? 

Memm Saka 

One of the issues we face is the limited availability of theater spaces. A key venue is the Cyprian Ekwensi Centre for Art and Culture in Area Ten (10). In the past, long before my time in the theater scene, if you wanted to produce a show, you could easily head there to find actors, hold auditions, and recruit those willing to participate. 

From what I’ve heard, it was a place where actors found refuge. Unfortunately, it’s not as open as it once was. I know there’s a new administration managing the complex, and I hope they work to make it more accessible to both actors and production companies, removing the bottlenecks that make it difficult to utilize these spaces.

The next spot is the mini theatre in Area One (1) Garki Abuja, which is still under the same administration. These are government houses. I know that the administration is trying to control how people use the place. The spot is a space where actors, companies do rehearsals. I will only ask that the infrastructure is prioritised and maintained, currently there’s a lot of dust and the facilities are not great.

Other places which have been vital are the NAF Conference center if you can afford it. It is respected and suitable for big productions. The next is Transcorp, Hilton. There’s Uzzitz center for arts and culture by Orji Uzor Kalu house, which is where some production houses use for rehearsals, and It’s where I performed my play The Abyss Within in June. 

Memm’s Experience and Insights

Aida

What has been your most memorable performance so far, and why does it stand out?

Memm Saka 

I’ve had a few, more than a few memorable performances. If I have a gun to my head, I will say the Sanusi play, In 2022. It’s called Sanusi, writer and director was Prof.  Ahmed Yerima a renowned playwright, Duke of Shomolu productions. 

(He chuckles and says I should have mentioned my own play, we both laugh) he continues anyways, 

Memm Saka 

It stood out to me because there’s a part which blurred the lines between the fiction happening on stage and reality. I played the dogari of his majesty Lamido Sanusi, a dogari is like a bodyguard to the emir. The play had three characters, myself, my mother and my father. The story begins just after his removal as emir of Kano. I came back home and was narrating the events to my parents, after the performance and the curtain call. I came down as the dogari with my umbrella, he hadn’t been reinstated at the time, that’s his Majesty himself. He was at the time just the Khalifa Tijaniya. I went down to him and as he took the podium to give his speech I went with him as his bodyguard, it was such an honour. Pause, he laughs, it was truly beautiful. It wasn’t just the honor, it was, imagine this igbo man who gets to be the bodyguard of the Khalifa for a few minutes. In that moment it became real, which is why it is memorable and stands out to me.

Aida

How do you prepare for a role, especially when it involves blending acting with live vocal performances?

Memm Saka 

The way I prepare for roles is this: 

If I have to sing, I just rehearse. I don’t worry so much about the singing because I have already worked out the voice part. (He chuckles insha Allah). 

When it comes to acting, if it’s something I created—like Ike Nanga, where I wrote the script and directed—I perform it with everything I envisioned for the characters. Since I created them, I bring them to life exactly as I imagined them during the creative process.

For a character, it’s more different because I have been giving a script, which often depends on the nature of the character, its complexities and if there’s none, I have to create a backstory for the character, such as career, schools and if it is similar to someone I know, I will then base the character of the person I know and if not, better because I then run with my imagination. Everything you see onstage, there’s something that’s not in the script, so the audience hears more than the lines which helps enhance their experience. 

Aida

Could you share any funny or particularly challenging moments from your time on stage?

Memm Saka 

I can’t remember any funny ones right now, there’s this particular one which was very challenging. I was playing an abusive husband. He was verbally, emotionally abusive and it was tough becoming that person, and when I became that character, every day after leaving I felt so exhausted. The last scene, my wife dies which was the same way, the same hospital scenario when my father died. How I ran into the hospital. Crying after she died was never fake, it was always real. It was one of the most challenging ones I have ever done. 

I’ll tell you a funny story from my production. It was showtime, and I walked onto the stage. The plan was for the lights to come on as I crept in through the audience, who were all around the stage. But, of course, the lights didn’t come on. (We both laugh.) I had to improvise, and my stage manager was ready for us to go on, but my director insisted we start over and fix the lighting issue. (Laughs) Okay, maybe it wasn’t that funny at the time, but imagine trying to creep onto the stage and the lights won’t cooperate!

Recommendations and Inspiration

Aida

If someone new to theatre wanted to watch a play in Abuja, which ones would you recommend and why?

Memm Saka 

If someone is looking to see a performance for the first time, I would highly recommend The Chronicles of Runsewa-CS, which was performed on December 14th, 2024, by C3 Media Theatre House at the NAF Conference Center. Victoria Nwuche is an incredible writer, and the director, Mr. Shola Oyeniyi, is known for delivering outstanding productions. Both are well-respected for putting on great shows. 

This year, if C3 Media announces a play, make sure to run and see it – you won’t want to miss it!

Aida

Are there any up-and-coming playwrights, directors, or actors in Abuja you believe deserve more attention?

Memm Saka 

Can I mention myself 

Aida

(Yes you can). 

Memm Saka 

I will say, myself, Uche Nwaneri, I try to tell the kinds of stories that as an actor I believe are not being told, this year I will be doing a lot of shows, and acting as well. And yeah for production houses, C3 media is great, everyone should be on the lookout for them.

There’s a new production company called Seasons Production, led by producer Mrs. Akudo Nwokorie. They have a clear vision for telling the right kinds of stories. As for directors, even though Mr. Shola Oyeniyi has been in the scene for years, he continues to bring fresh, impactful productions. Mr. Chidi Ukwu is also incredibly creative. They are already making waves, and whenever they have something new, everyone should go see it. For actors, there’s Favour Omebije, Amaka Uzoije, Fumi Osunsanya, Emen Ekanem, and Seun Ladeinde – all phenomenal talents.

Aida

For aspiring actors and singers in Abuja, what resources or platforms would you suggest they explore to grow in their craft?

Memm Saka 

There are several pages on Instagram and Facebook where you can find audition posters, as these pages curate listings from all over the country. They also share information about training sessions. One notable example is Mr. Chris Odeh, a film producer and filmmaker, who organizes masterclasses and residencies. These sessions provide actors with accommodation and essential resources.

Community and Collaboration

Aida

What role does the theatre community in Abuja play in your growth as an artist?

Memm Saka 

It’s closed as it’s not a large community, almost everybody knows everybody, there’s a sense of brotherhood, we look out for each other. We share information, share connections, make recommendations and so much. The community has been of immense growth for me as an artist.

Aida 

Do you collaborate with other performers or artists in Abuja? If so, how has that shaped your artistic vision?

Memm Saka 

Any form of collaboration shapes the vision of the collaborative work itself. 

The Future of Theatre in Abuja

Aida

What excites you most about the future of theatre in Abuja?

Memm Saka 

It’s the prospect of Abuja, the prospect of the growth and more production companies, more competition and better stories. This will make the audience have a better time. 

Aida 

Do you have any personal goals or projects you’re working on that you’d like to share with us?

Memm Saka 

This year, I am hoping to officially open my own theatre company. I know it will be tough in the first few years, but I am hoping it will pick up quickly. I will bring back at least 3 of my plays this year. I am currently working on a very sensitive story in the Nigerian political and social space. When I first wrote it, producers were skeptical of staging it and were not keen on the idea. I had  to go back to my drawing board to rethink my idea and make it more digestible. There is a producer now interested, so I hope it will be out this year Insha Allah. 

Aida

If you could adapt one story or book into a play in Abuja, what would it be and why?

Memm Saka 

It would be about my maternal grandfather, he lived such a good life. When I thought I was gonna be a novelist as a teenager, I wanted to write about him. He lived such a really good life. The world would be blessed to learn from him. He was an exciting character. I hope that someday I will write a story which speaks to his life. 

Aida

Finally, if you had to describe the theatre community in Abuja in three words, what would they be?

Memm Saka 

Community, Artistic and culture.