By Claudine Housen, Freelance writer
Kaysilyn Lawson
WESTERN BUREAU:
EIGHTEEN-YEAR-OLD Kaysilyn Lawson is a rising actress in the Montego Bay Little Theatre Movement (MLTM), but although she had stage experience in speech and music while attending Howard Cooke Primary School, she never saw herself as an actress. In fact, her entrance to the stage was brought about by a series of incidents, which could have gone either way.
"I actually never planned on acting at all. It was a friend of mine (Shannakay Dryden) who was involved with Fairfield" said Kaysilyn, who added that it was seeing her friend so involved in theatre that was the first of many little incidents that propelled her to the stage.
The next push came when the same friend, Ms. Dryden, suggested that she audition for the then upcoming play, 'What the hell is happening to us dear?' After an initial reluctance she auditioned and was successful, landing a role as the understudy for the character of 'Debbie Fernandez', one of five roles in the play, after attending only one of the three scheduled auditions.
Lady luck later smiled on her again as she was soon elevated to the position of alternate before being cast finally as 'Debbie' for opening night.
A Seventh Day Adventist and a member of the Farm Heights congregation, Ms. Lawson said once she discussed her role with her mother, Verna Lawson, she has had minimal conflicts between her mother, her religion and her acting. "(My mother) did not want (me to play the role) but she has always allowed me to express myself," said Ms. Lawson, who adds, " I still go to church and there are people at my church who have come to the play." Regarding the performance nights, she said that it was her luck that 'What the Hell' was played every Saturday and Sunday evening and her present play, 'Man Better Man', is the same.
An assistant manager in the tennis department at the Tryall Club in Hanover, Ms. Lawson, whose working hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and rehearsals which start at six, said that although being an actress is hard work, and time consuming, she finds it a true pleasure.
"It's very fulfilling being on stage surrounded by so many talented people. It is a wonderful experience. I don't think there is any feeling in the world like going to rehearsals, going through all of that trouble, the hassle, the long hours and then finally having a product," said Ms. Lawson.
Having found herself cast as a role model for youngsters, Ms. Lawson told The Gleaner that she would encourage children to get involved with theatre because it not only raises self-confidence but due to the time consuming nature of theatre, it is positive use of their free time.
"Part of the problem that we have in Jamaica is too much free time on our hands, so children wanting to be active are going to find things to do, and most of the things they are going to find to do, that are open to them, are not very favourable. (If they) are involved in theatre (they are) doing something productive," she said.
