Andre Jebbinson, Staff Reporter

Rex Nettleford with his Caribbean Luminary Award, presented earlier this year. - Contributed

The curtains recently came down on Jamaica's Independence celebrations, after a successful summer of showcasing Jamaica's heritage. Schoolchildren did recitals, while others expressed themselves through some of the latest dances, speech and other cultural forms.

This was all made possible through the hard work of some of Jamaica's pioneers in the different cultural arenas. The nation recently mourned the loss of one who will not be forgotten. Louise Bennett-Coverley, referred to by many as Miss Lou, who produced some of the her best work in the native tongue.

Along with Miss Lou, persons such as Professor Rex Nettleford and Barbara Gloudon have worked diligently in their respective fields of dance and drama to conquer grounds that not many trampled on before they did.

Rex Nettleford returned to Jamaican in 1959 after studying at the prestigious Oxford University in England. Since then, he has been working tirelessly to promote dance and cultural awareness.

"I was more interested in the centrality of culture. I was involved in almost every production at Oxford and I came back to Jamaica after a wonderful apprenticeship," Nettleford said.

His aptness in dance and theatre led him to form the still vibrant National Dance Theatre Company (NDTC), of which he is still artistic director. However, he said his task was made easier by the endorsements he got from major decision makers such as Edward Seaga, P.J. Patterson and the late Norman and Edna Manley.

Nettleford made note of the interest former prime ministers had in the development of Jamaican culture.

To come from the 'country' is often cause for humour, but growing up in Falmouth, Trelawny served as inspiration for Nettleford, along with many who grew up outside the capital city.

The 'country' life gave him lessons that could not be taught at any university. In fact, he watched his first movie when was he was 10 years old. But nothing seemed missing from his life, as he was surrounded but a community of courteous neighbours.

The influence of cable television has opened up the doors to many other cultures outside of Jamaica, especially that of the United States. The hip-hop and R&B culture has become commonplace among Jamaican youth, with few being concerned about the ring games and other pastimes that once were routine in the lives of Jamaican youths.

Nettleford, however, does not think there is cause for alarm.

"We shouldn't darken the screen. Let everything come in. Get diversity and feed one with another. Reggae music has developed from ska to rocksteady, from reggae to dancehall. I am engaged in a society with vigour and a growing sense of self," Nettleford said. "I am happy to be alive during this time."

Very often good works go without reward or mention, but he is not concerned about that. Instead, Nettleford believes that one should just do what they can and they will be acknowledged in due time.

The lady at the helm

And that is what Barbara Gloudon has been doing. The lady at the helm of the Little Theatre Movement (LTM) has been keeping the rich tradition of the yearly national pantomime going, regardless of the criticism she has been facing.

The drive comes from the close to 50,000 patrons who see the pantomime each year. Gloudon is not asking for much, only that people come, watch and understand what the scripts are trying to portray.

Gloudon became involved with the LTM on the invitation of Greta Fowler, the founder of the national pantomime. Fowler asked Gloudon to ensure that the work of the company was maintained.

"People think I hog the whole thing, but they don't understand what really goes on. You have to have a strong stomach to work in this business," Gloudon said.

She helped transform the company into an organisation that now has a core group of about 20 thespians. With that core in place, it became easier to plan a pantomime around the group.

Pantomime season

The group has become one that operates the way a family would. An entire pantomime season lasts for nine months, which means they are together until the wee hours of the night for that period. "I work with a fantastic group of people who know how to work," Gloudon says.

She is not daunted by the rough treatment meted out by critics, since she understands the mind of those who, 'run off their mouths'.

"There is a lack of generosity in the arts. If it was not working, people wouldn't keep coming," she assured.

Gloudon has been going deep into the lives of Jamaicans who are featured in her scripts. As with many others, her greatest lesson came from the Hon. Louis Bennett. "She and Ranny Williams taught you that you have to do what you have to do until you get it right," Gloudon said.

There are many others who have made a difference, such as Dr. Olive Lewin, Ranny Williams, Edna Manley and Sir Phillip Sherlock.

"Excellence in Jamaica is no less excellent than the excellence elsewhere. There is no hierarchy of excellence," Nettleford said.