The Society for Performing Arts in Nigeria (SPAN) has announced the maiden edition of the Queen Esther Ball, an event designed to celebrate the institution’s two decades of work in performing arts education and youth development. Scheduled for 19 October 2025, the ball will coincide with the lead-up to SPAN’s 20th anniversary and will spotlight 20 young debutantes who have been trained and mentored through SPAN’s programmes.
Sarah Boulos, founder and director of SPAN, described the event as “an evening of celebration, forward vision and fundraising,” noting that it offers a platform for the debutantes to share their personal stories of resilience and leadership potential with a distinguished audience of donors and supporters.
“When I started SPAN, it was because I recognised a significant gap in the attention and support available for young Nigerians pursuing a creative career,” Mrs Boulos said. “I saw immense, untapped potential, raw talent that simply needed proper training, mentorship and opportunity. SPAN was built on the belief that performing arts education transforms lives far beyond the stage: it builds confidence, communication skills, creativity, and leadership skills. Qualities that serve our graduates in every aspect of life and work.”
Mrs Boulos emphasised that SPAN’s approach has created a multiplier effect across Nigerian society. “Every student we train goes on to positively touch hundreds, sometimes thousands of lives. Our alumni are now on stages around the world in Hollywood, Nollywood, in schools and theatres, dance studios and other industries. Some have even gone on to set up their own operations, mentoring the next generation. This multiplier effect was one of the key founding intentions for setting up SPAN twenty years ago.”
Since its inception in 2005, SPAN has trained over 10,000 students, mounted 225 productions ranging from classical works to contemporary Nigerian narratives, and reached more than 50,000 underserved youths through community programmes. Alumni include Ice Nweke, Wisdom Ukpe Udeoka Justin, Gbenga Yusuf, and Zosu Ebenezeer Adebowale, who have gone on to pursue professional opportunities both locally and internationally.
The Queen Esther Ball will formally introduce the 20 young debutantes to the public, providing them a platform to showcase their stories of recovery, enterprise, and creative achievement. Performances from SPAN students will include musical theatre, dance, and storytelling, while international artists such as cello maestro Michael Vollhart, the Battery Dance Company, and the Zip Zap Circus will provide additional entertainment. Proceeds from the event will support the debutantes directly and contribute to SPAN’s ongoing operations.
Looking forward, Mrs Boulos outlined SPAN’s strategic plans for the next 20 years, which include expanding scholarship programmes, formalising the alumni network, broadening outreach to underserved communities, and developing research initiatives on the impact of performing arts education on youth development. “We are celebrating where we have been and strategically using it as a launchpad for where we are going. The next 20 years will see SPAN deepen its impact, reach more students, and continue proving that investing in performing arts education is a profound investment in Nigeria’s future,” she said.
SPAN, established in 2005, remains one of Nigeria’s foremost institutions for training in dance, music, drama, and production arts, aiming to develop well-rounded, professionally prepared creative artists equipped to contribute to the global creative economy.
