Liberia gets modern studio and theatre

The Unification Theater of Arts is intended to give Liberian artists access to high-tech equipment. It is also in keeping with Weah’s promise during his campaign as the candidate from the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC). At the time, he pledged to build Liberia’s first modern studio and theatre.

That pledge was fulfilled at an event that had in attendance politicians, music professionals and other stakeholders including members of the Liberian track and field team, which won medals at the recent Abu Dhabi 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games.

Weah has been courting musicians in the West African country since emerging as his party's flagbearer. The relationship survived his campaign and has lasted into his tenure as president.

Last year, he congratulated DenG, the artist who became the first Liberian act to perform at the One Africa Music Fest in New York. “Liberians do have talent," he posted on social media, asking that DenG "keep waving our flag high.” He received a kind response to the message. 

At the launch of the new theatre and studio on Sunday, Weah invited artists to take advantage of the facilities available.

"It is now my pleasure to welcome you and to dedicate and officially declare the Unification Theatre of Arts open and ready for business," he said.

The event of the venue's opening also saw the screening of Snorti: The Chief Daughter, a film directed by Frank Artus. At the close of the film, local media reported that actors and other cultural workers asked that the government make provision for film and music production.

“We have to travel to Ghana or Nigeria to do mass production, which leads us into too many expenses including hotel bills, air tickets, food and others,” one of them said. “We can make the difference in Africa if Liberian entertainment is supported.”

Although local media have questioned the ownership of the theatre, Weah, it has been reported, has assured his citizens in the diaspora that the Unification Theatre of Arts would welcome recording artists and filmmakers intending to use its modern facilities for production.