A Burkinabè
epic.
For nearly half a century, Atelier Théâtre Burkinabè has transformed the stage into a space for dialogue, civic education and social development.
It all began
with a conviction.
Theatre could change society.
A vision born in Burkina Faso in 1978 and carried forward by generations ever since.
1978
More than a company, an institution.
Atelier Théâtre Burkinabè was founded under the leadership of Prosper Kompaoré, together with a dynamic group of young students, friends and theatre enthusiasts.
From the very beginning, its purpose was deeply committed: to actively contribute to the development of Burkina Faso, then Upper Volta, by raising awareness.
Theatre was no longer conceived merely as entertainment, but as an educational and civic tool, deeply rooted in the cultural values and aesthetics of the country.
Explore our full history ↗“A new African theatre, modern in its forms, rooted in its identity.”
A story that spans generations.
From the enthusiasm of a group of theatre lovers to a structured cultural institution, ATB has continued to grow without losing sight of its original purpose.
Amateurs du Théâtre Voltaïque
ATV was born from the determination of a group of passionate volunteers who wanted to serve their nation through theatre.
From ATV to ATB
The organisation became Atelier-Théâtre Burkinabè. The word “Atelier” — workshop — affirmed its vocation as a permanent laboratory for research, creation and continuous learning.
A new generation
Arts education took on an increasingly important role in ATB's work, particularly through programmes dedicated to children and young people.
An institution looking to the future
Creation, training, cultural dissemination and social engineering continue to make ATB a place where culture and development come together.
Theatre for
Development.
Here, audiences do not remain seated in front of a problem. They step into the story.
Discover Forum Theatre →The stage brings a real community challenge into the spotlight.
The performance opens a space for dialogue and collective debate.
Audience members step onto the stage and experiment with alternative responses.
The community collectively imagines possible solutions.
A vision.
A mission.
Creative, open-minded citizens, proud of their identity.
We envision a world in which men, women and children develop and nurture an artistic and cultural sensitivity that enables them to become creative, open-minded, proud of their identity and fully engaged in the development of their communities.
Turning every cultural encounter into an opportunity for human development.
Our purpose is to provide local and international audiences with a permanent and regular programme through artistic creation and dissemination, making every cultural encounter an opportunity for human development and collective fulfilment.
What guides
everything we do.
Warm Welcome
ATB is a shared home where hospitality reflects the dignity of our traditions.
Professionalism
Cultural productions and technical services delivered to demanding professional standards.
Responsibility
Rigour, ethics and awareness of social impact guide each of our decisions.
Transmission
Sharing nearly fifty years of expertise to help nurture the next generation of artists.
Prosper
Kompaoré.
At the origin of this journey lies a powerful conviction: theatre has the ability to raise awareness.
Founder of Atelier Théâtre Burkinabè, Prosper Kompaoré championed from 1978 onwards the vision of a theatre deeply rooted in society, capable of bringing together artistic creation, education and social transformation.
Discover the founder ↗
Since 1978,
the stage has transformed society.
Discover how this legacy continues today through our programmes, training initiatives and activities.