In Ivory Coast, humor is popular. The shows are sold out, which makes many young people tempted by an artistic career want to try their hand at comedy. Some may benefit from advice and even lessons from established artists. This is the case in Abidjan, where the comedian Kôrô Abou, an emblematic figure of the Ivorian comedy scene, has made it his mission to pass on his know-how. For around twenty years, its academy has been training the talents of tomorrow.
We are on the set of the cult series Common Courtbroadcast for more than ten years on the Ivorian national channel. This program highlights life in a common courtyard typical of Abidjan, where characters from different ethnic groups live together. Ivory Coast : Bétés, Baoulés, Malinkés. But what catches the attention is that the actors almost all come from the Koro Abou academy.
Among them, Aka N’Dri, who brilliantly plays a stupid old man. A role that he owes to the expertise and demands of his mentor: “ It was Kôrô Abou who taught me to be in this character, to speak like the Bétés. At first, I didn’t like this role, I found it difficult. But he told me: “Lékilé, you’re going to play that and you’re going to succeed.” »
In this academy, theoretical lessons quickly give way to practice. Comic writing, stand-up, improvisation… Everything is done to nurture talents. “ He always said ‘work first’ », remembers Karidja Traoré, one of the academy students. She explains the background work of the founder of the place: “ He showed us how to position ourselves on stage, how to move in front of a camera without being stressed. Today, I go on stage without fear, even in front of thousands of people. »
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Iconic figures of Ivorian humor from this school
Behind this ambitious project, there is Dramé Abdrahmane, better known under the name of Kôrô Abou. He currently supervises around fifty young people. From his 37-year career, he knows the keys to success: work, discipline and passion.
« Those who are interested in the field come and register. We do theater, humor and imitation. But it all depends on your will, your ability to learn, and the love for this art. We are here to coach you and make you a product that we can sell “, he confides.
After three years of training, the students leave with their diplomas, ready to conquer the Ivorian stages and well beyond.
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The academy has seen the birth of emblematic figures of Ivorian humor, such as L’intellectuel Kaboré. He assures: “ Kôrô Abou introduced me to many directors and patrons. Thanks to God and him, I became what I am today. He is a great man of Ivorian humor. »
Revealed in the 1990s thanks to the program Dimanche Passion, Kôrô Abou was able to impose his style. Today, through his academy, he wishes to continue to transform these young people’s passion for laughter into a true vocation.
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