The Lion and the Jewel: Artist Calls
CALL FOR COSTUME DESIGNER, SET & PROPS DESIGNER AND STAGE MANAGER
DEADLINE : OCTOBER 31 AT 12PM (NOON)
ARTISTS OF ALL EXPERIENCE LEVELS ARE WELCOME TO APPLY
Be a part of The lion and the jewel!
Non-profit theatre company Swamp Rat Experience is looking for artists to join our upcoming production of Wole Soyinka’s The Lion and the Jewel, playing at King Street Theatre in Fort McMurray, AB on February 19-21, 2026.
Contact our Production Manager Hanna Fridhed at hanna@swampratexperience.com for questions or further details.
COSTUME DESIGNER
Lead and manage all aspects of costume creation, including design and sourcing, ensuring costumes authentically reflects the production’s period accuracy and cultural integrity while strictly adhering to budget constraints.
Knowledge and understanding of Nigerian and West African culture and clothing preferred. DETAILS & HOW TO APPLY
SET & PROPS DESIGNER
Responsible for designing, sourcing, building, and maintaining all scenic elements and props that support the production’s period, cultural context, and the specific requirements and limitations of the venue. DETAILS & HOW TO APPLY
STAGE MANAGER
As Stage Manager, you will be the organizational backbone of the production. You’ll maintain seamless communication between the director, cast, and crew, ensure the prompt book is up to date, and call all technical cues during rehearsals and performances. Your leadership will ensure that every rehearsal and performance runs on time, stays safe, and upholds the creative vision. DETAILS & HOW TO APPLY
ABOUT THE SHOW
Set in Ilujinle, a rural Nigerian village, The Lion and the Jewel follows two rivals for Sidi, the village’s radiant “Jewel.” Lakunle, an idealistic schoolteacher, champions Western education and seeks to discard local customs, while Baroka, the shrewd chief known as the “Lion,” upholds tradition and commands loyalty. Their contest culminates in a comic, choreographed “abduction” during a festival, challenging modern ideals with ancestral power. Ever perceptive, Sidi exploits both men’s ambitions, turning their duel into a sharp reflection on progress, gender, and the resilience of cultural identity.
Wole Soyinka’s play fuses biting satire with vivid folklore and pageantry, capturing the tension between tradition and modernity through unforgettable characters and humour.
Presented during Black History Month, this production enriches Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo’s arts scene, fostering cross-cultural understanding and celebrating African heritage.
