Ms. Cecilia Adjei
Cecilia Adjei started her academic career at the School of Performing Arts, University of Ghana as a Principal Research Assistant in 1995. She is currently a Senior Lecturer on post-retirement contract. Cecelia held several positions including the Head of Department of Theatre Arts and the Artistic director of the resident theatre group, Abibigromma. She established the costume and make-up section of the School of Performing Arts, University of Ghana in 1994, and has since been in charge of this section.
EDUCATION
1995-1998: Master of Fine Arts (MFA), Louisiana State University, United State.
1979-1982: Professional Diploma in Theatre Arts (Dance Option), University of Ghana.
1974-1976: Art Specialist Certificate, S.D.A. Training College, Asokore, Koforidua.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Costume Design
Constructor & Make-Up Designer
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Actress & Costume Designer, When the Night Falls, a Ghana Film Industry Production
(G.F.I.C.) Film, 2001.
Actress, Numerous National Film and Television Institute (NAFTI) Student Productions, 1990-
1995.
Actress, Costume Designer/Constructor & Make-Up Designer, Obra TV Drama
Productions, 1982-1994.
Scriptwriter, Obra TV Drama Productions, 1982-1995.
Producer, Short plays for television production [Whose Fault, Its too late, Had I known, The Rival, Eat What You Plant, My Neighbours Interest, The Inheritance], 1982-1995.
RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS/CREATIVE WORKS,
Research and Costume Design for Yaw Asare’s Desert Dreams, directed by Africanus Aveh 2010/2011.
Research and Costume Design for The Ugly Duckling by Music Department, directed by Amakye Boateng 2010/2011.
Research and Costume Design for Appiah-Agyei’s Atobra, 2010/2011.
Research and Costume Design for Abdallas The Trial of Mallam Llya, directed by Africanus Aveh 2011/2012
Research and costume design for Aku Sika Revisited, directed by Prof. Martin Owusu, October 2012.
Developing a Production Design Concept for Theatre and Film Productions in Ghana – Published by Theatre Studies Review – University of Calabar, Nigeria (2005).
Modern Fashion, A Glance At A Rear Mirror – Published by Theatre Studies Review – University of Calabar, Nigeria (2005).
Research and Costume Design for Carle Brown’s the African Company Presents Richard III – Thesis Project, Published, Louisiana State University – (1998).
Ghanaian Traditional Hair Styles and the Europeans influenced Hair Styles (TV3 INSIGHT Programme). Documented and Published 2001 on TV3.
Costume and Make-Up Design for Oedipus Rex Directed by Martin Owusu. Published 2007.
Costume Design for Ofotsu Adinku’s Choreography The Prodigal Son. Documented and Published 2007 – Theatre Arts Department University of Ghana.
Costume Interpretation for Ofotsu Adinku’s Choreography The Palmwine Drinkard- 2005 - Documented and Published 2007 – Theatre Arts Department University of Ghana.
Costume Design for Julius Caesar in Akan – Directed by Martin Owusu – 2005 - Documented and Published 2006 – Theatre Arts Department University of Ghana.
Costume Interpretation for Arthur Miller’s The Crucible – Directed by Aaron Yeboah 2001, Documented and Published 2006 – Theatre Arts Department University of Ghana.
Costume Interpretation for K.Oppong Manu’s Odum – Directed 2004 Documented and Published 2006 – Theatre Arts Department University of Ghana.
The Ghanaian Culture and Costumes. Different ways of wearing the Traditional Clothe in the Regions. (2004) Documented.
The Language of Clothing. Non Verbal Language, A Silent Language – Inter-Faculty Lecture, (2002) unpublished.
Paper delivered on Ghanaian Clothing: The Kente Cloth of Ghana and its influence on contemporary European and American Fashion. (Costume Society of America. July, 2007).
The Odwira Festival and the Apirede Dance of the Akwamus: Research and Long Essay for Diploma in Dance. (1982).
The Palace As a Centre Of Culture In The Modern Ghanaian Society (ongoing)
CREATIVE WORKS IN LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY AND SWINE PALACE
1995-1998: Assisted in costume design and construction/dressing and make-up for:
The Bache by Euripedes.
The Time of Your Life by William Saroyan.
Our Country’s Good by Timberlake Wertenbaker.
Dancing at Lughnasa by Brian Friel.
A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum by Larry Gerhardt and Bert
Shevelove.
The Rocky Horror Show by Richard O’Brien.
The Rivals by Rechard Brinsley Sheridan.
Flesh and Blood by Elizabeth Dewberry.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare.
A Child’s Christmas in Wales by Dylan Thomas.
Surbubia by Eric Bogosian.
Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? By Edward Albee.
Picnic by William Inge.
Inherit The Wind by Robert E.Lee.
Dusa Susa Fish and Vi by Pam Gems.
Bloody Poetry by Howard Brenton.
Two Gentlemen of Verona by William Shakespeare.
From The Mississippi Delta by Endesha Ida Mae Holland.
EXTENSION STUDY IN GLOBE THEATRE, LONDON
December 1997-January 1998, Study of Shakespearean costume construction. Study of ancient styles of building and furniture.
INTERNSHIP IN WEBER STATE UNIVERSITY, UTAH MUSICAL THEATRE
June-August 1997, Assisted in costume design construction and make-up for: The Secret Garden,
Dames at Sea, and Hello! Dolly!
1990-1994: Analysed, Designed and Constructed costumes for:
Everyman – Directed by Martin Owusu.
Dr. Faustus - Directed by Martin Owusu.
The Python/Aku Sika - Directed by Martin Owusu.
Hail The King- Choreographed by Asare Newman.
Once Upon Yesterday - Directed by Asiedu Yirenkyi.
Tongo Hamlet - Directed by Martin Owusu.
The Ophan - Choreographed by Ofotsu Adinku.
The March - Choreographed by Ampofo Duodu.
The Maidens - Choreographed by Patience Kwakwa.
The Lost Fisherman - Choreographed by Ofotsu Adinku.
Antigone - Directed by Aaron Yeboah.
SPECIAL PROJECT WORKS
1998: Designed, rendered and constructed costumes and make-up for the following:
- The African Company Presents Richard III by Carle Brown – Thesis.
- The Most Happy Fella by Frank Loesser.
- Bloody Poetry by Howard Brenton.
- Dusa Susa Fish and Vi by Pam Gems.
CONFERENCES
1. Southern Theatre Conferences, Miami, Florida: Presented Resume and Portfolio for Professional Critics in the Theatre, 1997.
2. Costume Society of America Annual Conference, New Orleans, Louisiana, July 1996 – Assisted in the organization.
3. Costume Society of America Annual Conference, Raleigh, North Carolina, July 1997.
4. Royal Theatre – London, Britain. Research in costume and make-up – 1997.
5. Globe Theatre – London, Britain. Practical in costume and make-up – 1998.
6. Seminar and workshop on clothing and make-up – Takoradi Polytechnic – 2003.
7. Seminar on “The Appropriate Dressing for Appropriate Function” – Presbyterian Youth, Madina Circuit and Catholic Youth, Legon – 2006.
8. Seminar – Duties of a Virtuous Woman. Methodist Women’s Fellowship, Nsawam, 2006.
9. The Ghanaian Culture and Costumes: Different ways of wearing the Traditional Ghanaian Clothe in the Regions – Presented to some visiting foreign tourist – Legon – 2004.
10. The Language of Clothing, A non Verbal Language, A Silent Language – Inter-faculty Lecture, Legon 2002.
ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES
1. Textile Designing and Sewing.
2. Scene Painting.
3. Teaching/Lecturing.
4. Pattern making and Costume Designing and Drafting.
5. Acting.
6. Script writing.
7. Host, Channel R FM – Enhwe Ene Nkoa (counseling programme), 1999 – Present.
AWARDS
1. Assistantship Award LSU (1995-1998).
2. Tuition Award LSU (1995-1998).
3. Partial Scholarship Award –Ghana Government (1995-1998).
4. Theatre Costume Design Award, University of Ghana (1993).
WORKS IN PROGRESS
1. Appropriate Consume for Appropriate Functions
2. Research into local materials for theatrical make-up in Ghana.
3. The Documentation of the Establishment of Costume and Make-Up Section of the School of Performing Arts.