Contributed Photos
LEFT: Team Jamaica at the 2007 World Championships of the Performing Arts in Hollywood, California.
RIGHT: The In Motion dance troupe collected 20 gold medals at the 2007 World Championships of the Performing Arts.

Krista Henry, Staff Reporter

Basking in the glow of victory, the Jamaican team to the recent World Championships of the Performing Arts (WCOPA) in Hollywood, California, returned with gold medals in vocals, dance, instrumentals, acting and modelling on Tuesday, August 7. The competition is an annual event that tests the vigour, talent and strength in a manner similar to that of the Olympics, except that the categories are in the performing arts.

Medals galore

The Jamaican team arrived in Hollywood a few weeks ago - a contingent of over 60 persons, including supporters and contestants - and were well received by the 55 countries which participated, including Caribbean neighbours Haiti and Trinidad and Tobago. And when they returned to Jamaica, the team was still glowing from the heartfelt praise showered on them.

The team garnered 15 gold medals, eight silver, four bronze, two Grand Champion awards, one industry award and several contract call backs and go-sees.

Some of the contestants were Divine Faith from St. Thomas; Renewed Gospel Singers (United States-based Jamaican husband and wife team Lloyd and Lorna Espeut); Tyrone Davis; Kerrian Lewis; Jonathan Dwyer; Keli-Marie Soutar and Justin Smith from Mona Prep School; Karla Josephs; Kimberly Guy; Kimberlyn and Kyla Wright from Portmore; Dane Campbell from UTech; attorney-at-law Stokeley Marshall; In Motion Dance troupe; Orlando Swaby from Port Royal (a dynamic sing-jay who received rave reviews for his smooth and original style) and Tamara Clarke, a gospel singer who sings backup for many popular gospel artistes.

The In Motion dancers competed in two categories, jazz and ethnic, under the artistic direction of Suzanne Mahfood and assistant director Sodanne Browne.

The group won gold in both categories, collecting 20 gold medals for their team of 10. In addition, the In Motion dance troupe was nimble enough to beat Mexico, Russia, Bolivia and many others to win the best group ethnic dance in the junior competition.

According to Anicia Browning-Thomas, coordinator/director for the World Championships for Jamaica and Antigua, the reception to the Jamaicans abroad was more than encouraging.

"It was very good. Everyone is always so excited to see Jamaica. The In Motion dance troupe was asked to do the opening ceremony there, a Sean Paul piece," she said.

Browning-Thomas claimed that persons who had been to previous years said that overall, this year was a complete success. This year, there were six pieces in the finals, compared to one or two pieces in previous years.

Corporate assistance

For Browning-Thomas, Onique Scott, Jonathan Dwyer, Justin Smith and the In Motion dance troupe, especially the group's ethnic piece, were standouts by the Jamaican team.

"Jamaica is so full of talent. If we could just get everyone here (Hollywood), it would be amazing to see what we would do and what would happen at the WCOPA. We (Jamaicans) are a colourful nation; we don't shy away from a challenge and we know how and when to put on a show. Look out for us in 2008 - it will be bigger and better," Browning-Thomas stated.

Bigger and better could be more than attainable with assistance from corporate Jamaica and the Jamaican public. Besides assistance from the Chase Fund and the Tourism Product Development Company, monetary assistance was small.

Browning-Thomas pointed out that the costs to go to Hollywood and compete are high and the team suffered from lack of funding.

She said: "There are people who don't think the performing arts are as important as football and cricket. However, they are all on the same ground. There is a lot of cost, which would be better if we had corporate support."

The young competitors themselves are happy about their victories and some are eager to return to Hollywood, so much so that, according to Browning-Thomas, they have already begun to practice for next year's competition.