Tanya Batson-Savage, Freelance Writer
Godfrey Lock of Harambe Cultural Club earned the trophy for Best Actor (adult) for his performance in 'Hell bruck loose' on day two at the JCDC National Drama Finals held at the Little Theatre, St. Andrew, on July 14. - RICARDO MAKYN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
THE FIRST day of competition at the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission's national finals in drama saw six of eight expected competitors vying for trophies on the boards of the Little Theatre, Tom Redcam Avenue, last week Wednesday and Thursday.
The drama finals brought to an end over three weeks of competition which included speech, music, dance, and traditional folk forms.
The first day saw performances in the junior and intermediate levels. The morning began at 11:30 a.m. with the performance of St. Hugh's High's experimental drama I Turn to You.
MULTIPLE AWARDS
Devoid of a set, the work dealt with various relationships using singing, dub poetry and dialogue. The production went on to win the awards for Best Experimental Drama (intermediates) and Best Director (intermediates). The latter award earned the school's director, Donna Harriott, a $10,000 incentive along with the trophy.
I Turn to You was also dubbed the Best Intermediate Production. Titsan Palmear also added to the school's cache of trophies with the award for Best Actress (intermediate).
The junior performances presented an impressive dramatic fare. St. Catherine Preparatory's The Gingerbread House brought a touch of fantasy in an interesting take on the fairy tale Hansel and Gretel. The piece drew on Macbeth for its witch concepts as well as the standard fairy tale features of green faces and exaggerated noses. The production earned five trophies including Best Junior Production, and director Claudia Byfield also earned the trophy and cash incentive of $10,000 for Best Director (junior).
The day also received a touch of faith with Persuaded presented by The Blessed Survivors. The two-hander played by sisters Shanice Thompson and Shanile Thompson were directed by their mother Yvonne Thompson in the gospel drama about a husband and wife.
The day also featured performances by Howard Cooke Primary (The Bug), Ascot High (The Incomplete Doll), and Little London Primary (Save Us). At the end of the day 11 awards were distributed.
LIST OF AWARDEES
1. Best Actress (junior)
Khadene Chatrie, St. Catherine Preparatory - The Ginger Bread House
2. Best Actor (junior)
Kavaughn Kalvin, Little London Primary - Save Us
3. Best Actress (intermediate)
Titsan Palmear, St. Hugh's High - I Turn to You
4. Best Actor (intermediate)
Akeem Johnson, Ascot High - The Incomplete Doll
5.Best Gospel Drama (junior)
The Blessed Survivors - Persuaded
6.Best One Man Show (junior)
Little London Primary - Save Us
7. Best Experimental Drama (intermediates)
St. Hugh's High - I Turn to You
8. Best Director (junior)
Claudia Byfield, St. Catherine Preparatory - The Gingerbread House
9. Best Director (intermediate)
Donna Harriott, St. Hugh's High - I Turn to You
10. Best Junior Production
St. Catherine Primary - The Gingerbread House
11. Best Intermediate Production
St. Hugh's High - I Turn to You
