Marcia Rowe, Gleaner Writer
(From left) Glen Campbell, Lenford Salmon and Trevor Nairne, principals of Jambiz, pore over plans for an event. - Contributed
This is the third of four articles on the state of Jamaican theatre. It is hoped that by focusing the spotlight on this branch of the performing arts, it initiates a conversation that will produce positive actions.
Unless we develop our own theatre by training our own actors who would act in plays mirroring our own society, its dreams and aspirations, its conflicts and fears, its problems and their resolutions - we might never reach emotional maturity.
Ignacy Eker
In 1911 when George Bernard Shaw, renowned Irish playwright, visited Jamaica, he implored his friend Sir Sydney Olivier to ensure that Jamaicans do their "own acting". Between 1930 and 1932, Marcus Garvey produced four plays with a cast totalling approximately 200 Jamaicans. It is not expected that 21st-century Jamaican producers employ such a large cast, but what Marcus Garvey did was to provide an opportunity for the actors and actresses.
The main reason to study in any field is the desire to convert the knowledge acquired into a career. So is it for those persons who have chosen the discipline of theatre. But a number of these individuals who graduate annually from both the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts (EMCVPA) and Excelsior Community College (ECC) are not able to pursue their passion, especially in mainstream Jamaican theatre. And for them this is a frustrating reality.
"Theatre in Jamaica is not viable," said Dwayne Tucker, a final-year student at Excelsior Community College. "I would like to direct plays, but will have to go for teaching because teaching is more viable." He continued: "We cannot survive on theatre."
frustrated
Why it is that our counterparts in the other disciplines (dance and music) are able to sustain a comfortable lifestyle, but it is not so for a trained theatre graduate, a frustrated Tucker questioned.
"There is no real strategy or plan to encourage development after leaving both the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts and Excelsior Community College," said Kenny Salmon, head of Excelsior Community College Performing Arts Department. "And when there is opportunity, it is mostly in Kingston."
Another observation made by Kenny Salmon is that theatre companies or groups opt to repeat names rather than introduce new ones annually because it is financially viable. Despite the flexibility of his students in applying their skills to any of the branches of the Jamaican theatre - traditional commercial, roots or non-profit - most are not able to make it in the mainstream.
Not so said Lenford Salmon, administrative director of Jambiz. Jambiz has introduced a young person in every production through Centerstage Workshop. And he says here is "ocular proof: Children, Children - Kathy Owen; Oliver's Posse - Dahlia Harris; Puppy Love - Donesha Prendergrast; Cutie and the Freak - Belinda Reid and Woody's Last Stand - Camille Davis".
'bottom line'
Eugene Williams, director of the School of Drama, Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts, sees the problem as "the pace at which commercial producer-writers have to come up with their scripts and the importance of the 'bottom line', complexity of ideas, characters and plot are often sacrificed. The actors are therefore hardly challenged to transform into a complex role".
Williams further expressed the view that the actors' personal stardom or comedic skills is primarily what becomes the box office draw. Some producers have tried the exception, with minimal financial success. Williams said that "the virtual absence of these complexities and provocative varieties in the local fare has been a major detriment to student actors in training. The standard training for dramatic roles needs professional examples".
Williams is, however, optimistic because of the emerging companies and also because he knows that many of the commercial writers and directors are battling with the "high wire act" of creating cross-over pieces.
On the other hand, a large number of the graduates from Edna Manley and Excelsior are from rural Jamaica. Theatre is a Kingstonian that goes to the country to visit. And, as Kenny Salmon observed "there are no plays from rural Jamaica going into Kingston". What are the theatre graduates to do?
opting to teach
Excelsior Community College graduates tend go into the hotel industry, with a few opting to teach, while the majority of EMCVPA graduates choose teaching. However, not all the graduates from both institutions have chosen teaching by default.
Norlene Pryce, a graduate of ECC, has chosen to teach because "theatre is seasonal, it lacks benefits and does not provide the financial stability that teaching offers".
and also because he knows that many of the commercial writers and directors are battling with the "high wire act" of creating cross-over pieces.
On the other hand, a large number of the graduates from Edna Manley and Excelsior are from rural Jamaica. Theatre is a Kingstonian that goes to the country to visit. And, as Kenny Salmon observed "there are no plays from rural Jamaica going into Kingston". What are the theatre graduates to do?
opting to teach
Excelsior Community College graduates tend go into the hotel industry, with a few opting to teach, while the majority of EMCVPA graduates choose teaching. However, not all the graduates from both institutions have chosen teaching by default.
Norlene Pryce, a graduate of ECC, has chosen to teach because "theatre is seasonal, it lacks benefits and does not provide the financial stability that teaching offers".
