Creative Centre seeks to put Barbadians on stage
As efforts continue to develop the island’s fledgling cultural industries, the Cave Hill Campus is getting in on this act through a major initiative to develop theatre.
The Errol Barrow Centre for Creative Imagination which is spearheading the university’s cultural thrust, has convened a special meeting for this weekend at which actors, writers and other stakeholders in theatrical presentation can brainstorm and seek to move the industry forward.
The all-day meeting takes place on Saturday at the EBCCI from 10 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.
Director of the EBCCI, Professor Gladstone Yearwood said: “We are specifically inviting directors, designers, choreographers, playwrights, lyricists, composers, arrangers, literary artists and professional actors to come together to share experiences and ideas on enhancing Barbadian theatre and furthermore to seek to combine resources and visions for the creation of a troupe of professional theatrical performers based in Barbados.”
He acknowledged that the island was on the verge of developing an important new cultural industry, and therefore wanted all interested parties to make a special effort to attend the exploratory meeting.
“Our goal is to re-tell classic stories from a Caribbean aesthetic, and also to create new productions of Caribbean stories to enlighten and entertain the world,” he added.
The morning session will feature a presentation by visiting lecturer, Nigerian Dr. Esiaba Irobi on “Building a Theatre Culture”, followed by an interactive focus group session to identify and clarify the needs and to examine the current state of theatre in Barbados - its strengths and weaknesses and the opportunities available for enhancing theatre productions.
The afternoon session will allow individuals to introduce themselves as well as lay the foundation for a sustainable theatre organisation. Also very welcome to attend are key supporters of live theatre who are interested in helping with fundraising and with the recruitment of volunteers to support this important cultural initiative.
The Centre is already developing a theatre ensemble, which will be the nucleus for an international and multicultural/multiracial professional theatre company here in Barbados.
The company will produce plays of such high quality as seen on New York's Broadway and at London's West End.
The ultimate intention of the EBCCI Professional Theatre Company is not only to cultivate a sophisticated theatre audience on the island but also to represent Barbados at major international theatre festivals in places such as Canada, England, the USA and Australia.
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