In a society where addiction is often misunderstood as only substance abuse, Vivies Dance and Theatre Academy has sparked a bold national conversation through an emotionally gripping contemporary dance theatre production titled Addiction.
With two successful premieres attracting over two thousand patrons, the production has become one of the most thought-provoking stage performances to hit Ghana’s creative arts scene in recent times.
Bringing together students from both public and private schools as well as audiences from diverse backgrounds, Addiction explored the hidden struggles consuming many young people today. Through movement, music, and immersive storytelling, the production highlighted how addiction now extends beyond drugs and alcohol to include social media obsession, toxic relationships, gambling, fashion, peer validation, sex, power, and unhealthy coping mechanisms.
The production, organized by Vivies Dance and Theatre Academy’s senior dance group in partnership with DLP and supported by Unichem and the Creative Arts Agency, used raw theatrical expression to reveal the emotional pain, emptiness, and pressure that often drive addictive behavior among the youth.
Speaking on the inspiration behind the production, the CEO of Vivies Dance and Theatre Academy, Vivian Boateng revealed that the concept was deeply personal.
“I discovered I had become addicted to my phone when I started my business,” she shared. “That realization opened my eyes to how people of all ages are addicted to something in one way or another. Addiction has become part of modern life, yet many people do not even recognize they are trapped.”
According to her, the production was created not merely for entertainment but as a wake-up call to society, especially to parents, schools, and policymakers who may be overlooking the emotional and psychological battles confronting young people daily.
“The youth are drowning in all forms of addiction,” she stated. “From social media to gambling, fashion, toxic validation, and unhealthy relationships, many are struggling silently and finding it difficult to break free. We decided to use dance because it is one of the strongest languages young people connect with. Through dance and theatre, we can create awareness, provoke reflection, and advocate for support systems for those suffering in silence.”
The production perfectly mirrored the emotional intensity audiences experienced during the performance. At its core, Addiction followed a compelling journey from temptation to entrapment and ultimately toward awareness, freedom, and healing. The production challenged audiences to look beyond addiction as merely a visible struggle and instead confront the hidden emotional wounds that fuel destructive dependencies.
Throughout the performance, patrons were visibly captivated as dancers translated pain, pressure, loneliness, and emotional conflict into expressive movement. The production’s powerful storytelling created moments of silence, reflection, and emotional connection among audience members, many of whom could identify with the realities portrayed on stage.
Speaking to the media after the show, lead choreographer and Academy Captain, Omoyemi Davies expressed profound appreciation to patrons and institutions that supported the initiative. He also made a passionate appeal to government agencies, corporate organizations, and stakeholders within the creative industry and mental health promotional offerings to invest more in socially impactful art productions.
“The comments and questions from students after the first show were heartbreaking,” he revealed. “It became very clear that many young people are battling different forms of addiction but have nobody to speak to and no safe spaces to seek help. Productions like this are necessary because they give people the courage to confront these realities.”
He emphasized that dance and theatre remain powerful advocacy tools capable of driving social change, inspiring healing, and initiating difficult conversations society often avoids.
More than just a stage performance, Addiction has become a movement of awareness, empathy, and advocacy. By confronting one of the most pressing but overlooked issues affecting the youth today, Vivies Dance and Theatre Academy has proven that the creative arts can do more than entertain they can educate, heal, and transform lives.
As the curtains closed and the applause echoed through the auditorium, one message remained clear: addiction may be silent, but through awareness, honest conversation, and collective support, healing is possible.
