SENOJ CREATIONS through their Theatre Arts Community Group – ‘STAGES’ under the direction of Collette Jones-Chin, made an awesome debut which opens the floodgates for a refreshing embracing of the theatrical arts for children and youth in Anguilla. The stage at the auditorium at Orealia Kelly Primary School was transformed into a vibrant jungle scene. Costuming was colourful and creative – all handcrafted with keen attention to detail and complemented by dramatic animal markings on cast faces.
The group consists of elementary and high school students who joined the group in September and over the past few months learned basic rudiments in stagecraft, acting, voice, movements, light & sound operations. They also were exposed to elocution and articulation techniques. All these sessions culminated beautifully in the dynamic production of The Lion King.
The aims of the company are:
• To provide high quality theatre arts opportunities for young people.
• To create opportunities for social and educational development through participation in the arts.
• To introduce young people to new and innovative elements of theatre and performing arts as well as embracing more traditional performance practices.
• To ensure our activities are to the benefit of the local community and encourage community learning.
This mission is being executed through the provision of ongoing professionally led weekly classes in the theatre arts, with the goal of executing at least two productions per annum. There is a key focus on enabling members to develop interpersonal skills such as confidence, social interaction, responsibility sharing, planning, decision making, team-work , problem solving and sharing and conflict resolution. STAGES takes pleasure in giving audiences the opportunity to experience new, innovative, traditional and contemporary performances and to serve the local community by remaining aware of local issues and community needs. It is the hope that the group will continue to foster partnerships and develop relationships with organizations and educational bodies which share similar goals.
Much appreciation is extended to the sponsors of this production:
The Department of Youth and Culture
Lake’s Do It Best
Department of Agriculture
Orealia Kelly Primary School
Omololu International School
Sunset Homes
Funtime Charters
There was a brief awards ceremony immediately following the production. The cast, production team and awardees were as follows:
Best Actress – Alysha Carty
Best Supporting Actress – Janet Guzman
Best Actor – Juron Dupie
Best Supporting Actor – Ryan Cutler
Best Actress In A Male Role 1 – Alysha Carty
Best Actress In A Male Role 2 – Milla Alverez
Best Actress In A Male Role 3 – Nandi Edwards
Most Disciplined Actress 1 – Rhonica Connor
Most Disciplined Actress 2 – Dericia Griffin
Most Disciplined Actress 3 – Ella Rydon
Most Improved Actor – Juron Dupie
Most Improved Actress 1 – Anna Lynch
Most Improved Actress 2 – Ariana Alverez
Other Actors Were:
Charisma Jones – Chin
Brielle L’etang
Jaylene L’etang
Adriana Gonzalez
Alvernique Frank
Dancers
Keisha Edwards
Alvernique Frank
Rushanna Welcome
Natalya Welcome
Production Team
Director/Producer – Collette Jones-Chin
Stage Manager – Maxine Alonzo
Asst. S.M. – Miguel Walker
Lights – Gilbert Fleming
Sound – Shem Wills, Joshua Minott and Miguel Walker
Costume Mistress -Natalie Volcheck
Costume Designs & Construction – Collette Jones – Chin & Natalie Volcheck
Set Design & Construction – Collette Jones – Chin
Set assistants – Cecil Chin and Jeannette Guzman
Stage hands and make up – Brenda Griffin and Jackie Connor
Kudos are expressed to the Producer/Director whose brainchild unfolded into a marvelous production. It is rare to find a Producer who can excel at all the roles of play writing, choreographing, directing, graphic design, set design and creation, costume and props design and creation and moulding children (most of whom are new to acting), within such a short time. All this was done within three months of the Producer relocating to Anguilla which is a great testimony for her unusual gifts of resourcefulness and networking. We appreciate her sharing her 34 years of experience in the Theatrical, Literary and Visual Arts to make a significant contribution to the growth of The Arts in Anguilla.
Parents are encouraged to sign up their interested children into the Theatre Group for the January session by contacting Collette Jones-Chin at 582-6860 after 3 pm weekdays or on weekends and coljonchin@gmail.com.
The Wizard of Oz is carded to be staged the next children’s production next spring. Look out in February 2017 for an adult cast production as Senoj Creations unfolds Dead Heat from The Grill, a Murder-Mystery Dinner Theatre.
– Contributed
