Award-winning folk singer, chanter, singer and actor Deborah ‘Debbie’ Ohiri, has her imprint on many ground-breaking film and theatre productions including the globally acclaimed stage play, ‘Hear Word’. The daughter of guitar maestro, Bob Ohiri, Debbie has been curating folk music workshops at the Lagos Fringe Festival. In this interview with OVWE MEDEME , she talks about her inspirations, harnessing her talents across many art disciplines and sundry issues.
You have been with the ‘Hear Word’ Troupe for 10 years. How has it been touring the world and addressing gender-based issues on stage? Touring with ‘Hear Word’ Amazons, we don’t call ourselves Troupe. We are Amazons, ‘Hear Word’ Warriors, or ‘Hear Word’ Women.
For the past 10 years, talking about gender-based issues using our art form has been nothing but a blessing. It’s very significant to note that these are universal issues. Everybody is fighting the same fight, the same struggle.
As an artist, I have grown over the years. Even in my personal life, being a part of this very incredible, intelligently put-together play has also helped me with decision-making, unlearning some traits, embracing new traits, and seeing the world from a worldview, not from a single-eye view. Before ‘Hear Word’, what were you up to? Before ‘Hear Word’, I was working and honing my skill with one project at a time in theatre, Event and music gigs.
I’d worked with notable Theatre Directors like Ben Tomoloju.
