The Senegalese theatrical landscape has undergone a profound transformation, with the era of televised plays, which captivated audiences every Tuesday evening, seemingly over. Today, television films and series dominate the screen, threatening the survival of traditional theater.

Despite this difficult situation, Jules Dramé, 1st National Vice-President of the Association of Senegalese Theatre Artists (ARCOTS) and President of ARCOTS Thiès, affirmed that the attachment to this art remains strong. “Despite the challenges, artists from Thiès and other regions of Senegal, such as Dakar, Saint-Louis, Ziguinchor, and Kaolack, continue their passion for theater. They create and produce shows in several venues, testifying to the vitality of this art in Senegal. Their determination to preserve and promote theater is commendable,” said Jules Dramé.

According to the vice-president of ARCOTS, the main threat comes from audiovisual competition, which is pushing actors to turn to television films for reasons of visibility and income. Jules Dramé notes that theater has become less lucrative.

Among the main challenges, he points out: the lack of financial support and guidance for artists in the regions; the concentration of cultural projects in Dakar, to the detriment of the regions; competition from television films and series which offer greater visibility and revenue than theatre.

Mr. Dramé particularly deplores the attitude of private channels: "Private television stations are more interested in profits than in artistic promotion. When a play is presented to them, finding sponsors becomes a prerequisite for broadcasting." He adds that these channels "demand percentages of the revenue generated."

He hopes that RTS1 will resume broadcasting plays, "as was done previously, to promote this art to the Senegalese public."

The lack of state support, the dysfunction of the call for cultural projects and the imbalance between Dakar and the regions lead, according to Mr. Dramé, to a "flight of talent from the regions to Dakar", where opportunities seem more numerous.

Despite these challenges, ARCOTS remains committed. Jules Dramé announced the organization of storytelling shows on the theme of reforestation, as part of the "Le Pont" project, and confirmed the holding of the 11th edition of the Thiès Fest-Rail from November 17 to 22, 2025. A major show in collaboration with the town hall is also planned for December 30, 2025.

Faced with the precariousness of the sector, the vice-president of ARCOTS reiterated his request to the authorities for increased support and guidance, deemed essential to the survival of traditional theatre and to improving the situation of artists.