The Jamaican theatre scene has come a long way since its start in the 17th century in Spanish Town. Today, original Jamaican productions are infused with our cultural expressions and social realities, articulated by our writers, and brought to life by a team of artists. The most commercially successful genre in Jamaican theatre is comedy, however, a new era has seen the emergence of several performance companies and independent performers pioneering new theatre styles and producing quality works through a wide range of genres.
A highlight in March 2018 was the 2nd staging of the “Jamaica Women in Theatre Festival” organized by writer, director and actress Dahlia Harris. The festival ran from March 19 to March 25, showcasing works from talented Jamaican women writers, directors, and actors.
The festival showcased a diverse array of short plays, play extracts, play readings and video installations, but a common theme running throughout was identity and culture. Among the works mounted was an extract from Centerstage’s comedic drama “Right Girl, Wrong Address“, which highlighted actresses Sakina Deer and Sharee Elise.
A highlight in March 2018 was the 2nd staging of the “Jamaica Women in Theatre Festival” organized by writer, director and actress Dahlia Harris. The festival ran from March 19 to March 25, showcasing works from talented Jamaican women writers, directors, and actors.
The festival showcased a diverse array of short plays, play extracts, play readings and video installations, but a common theme running throughout was identity and culture. Among the works mounted was an extract from Centerstage’s comedic drama “Right Girl, Wrong Address“, which highlighted actresses Sakina Deer and Sharee Elise.
Dahlia Harris, founder of Jamaica Women in Theatre Festival
Also, Evone Walters debuted a new company House of Arts which brought to life Shakespeare’s “The Tempest”, well received by audiences at Phoenix Theatre. Carolyn Allen’s directorial interpretation of Sistren Theatre’s “Nana Yah” also stood out, using as it did Jamaican folklore to highlight issues facing black women in the country; a similar note was expressed in the Jonkonoo themed “Belly Woman”, written by Omall Wright and directed by Dorraine Reid.
The last three days of the festival took the form of a panel discussion hosted at the JAMPRO training room. The writer’s workshop boasted a diverse panel of including authors Velma Pollard and Curdella Forbes; playwrights Paul O. Beal, Omaall Wright, Amba Chevannes and Aston Cook; and musician Grub Cooper. Attendees sat in a circle along with the panelists of each day and engaged in lively discussions on how to develop characters, dialogue and lyrics in writing.
The festival in its second year forecasts a promising 3rd annual staging. “Jamaica Women in Theatre Festival” provides edutainment of a fine standard and offers a space for theatre practitioners or any interested individual to learn and network. We look forward to what next year has in store.
The last three days of the festival took the form of a panel discussion hosted at the JAMPRO training room. The writer’s workshop boasted a diverse panel of including authors Velma Pollard and Curdella Forbes; playwrights Paul O. Beal, Omaall Wright, Amba Chevannes and Aston Cook; and musician Grub Cooper. Attendees sat in a circle along with the panelists of each day and engaged in lively discussions on how to develop characters, dialogue and lyrics in writing.
The festival in its second year forecasts a promising 3rd annual staging. “Jamaica Women in Theatre Festival” provides edutainment of a fine standard and offers a space for theatre practitioners or any interested individual to learn and network. We look forward to what next year has in store.
 | AuthorReviewer Cyprian Fuller is writer, actor, and tour guide. He most recently performed in House of Arts production of “The Tempest”, and can be seen regularly in Kingston directing tours for Jamaica Cultural Enterprises. |
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