Stage adaptation of ‘No More Shrinking’ to premiere Saturday, March 28

The stage adaptation of ‘No More Shrinking’, a performance tool written by Abiola Salami, for women who are done playing small, will premiere on Saturday, March 28, 2026.

Unlike earlier adaptations that explored colonial history or cultural identity, No More Shrinking focuses on a contemporary leadership challenge.

The play aims to tackle the psychological barriers that often prevent talented professionals, particularly women, from fully expressing their competence in workplace and leadership.

The unique intersection of leadership development and theatre, will feature two performances scheduled for 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. at Terra Kulture.

“Many brilliant professionals know exactly what they want to say in critical moments but hesitate to express it,” Abiola Salami, performance coach and author, No More Shrinking’ said during a recent media parley.

According to him, the stage production explores everyday professional moments such as hesitation to speak in meetings, navigating male-dominated environments.

He added that the adaptation will also help in balancing confidence with social expectations, through dramatic scenes, spoken-word storytelling, and character-driven narratives.

“The stage offers a powerful way to bring these internal battles into the open and start a meaningful conversation,” he said, disclosing that the adaptation was inspired by real-life experiences shared by professional women across industries.

Salami added that the production marks a rare moment in Nigeria’s performing arts landscape, where a leadership and performance development book is adapted into a stage play, reflecting a growing trend of blending professional insights with artistic storytelling.

According to industry observers, the adaptation reflects an emerging shift in Nigerian theatre toward productions that combine personal development, social commentary, and artistic expression.

With performances scheduled for Saturday, March 28, the stage production is expected to attract professionals, cultural enthusiasts, and theatre audiences interested in exploring the intersection of leadership insight and performing arts.

Over the years, Nigeria has enjoyed a long and celebrated tradition of adapting literary works into theatre productions, reinforcing the relationship between literature and theatre in Nigeria.

Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, and plays of Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka remain central to the country’s theatrical culture, inspiring numerous stage interpretations.