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April 2013
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As part of the requirements for the BA in Theatre Arts, Production II students of the DCFA are brought together as a company to perform in and produce a full-length play. Dr. Jorge Morejon – a Cuban-American dance lecturer at the Department, worked on the production as both translator and director. Maria Antonia, the 1967 Cuban classic written by Eugenio Hernandez Espinosa, is the tragic story of an Afro-Cuban woman who defies the men, women, and traditions of her community in search of self and meaning. Through her trysts with men, her defiance of religion, and her thirst for change, she presents the struggles of a post-revolutionary Cuba – one where women are forced to re-evaluate their roles in society. It employs Afro-Cuban culture – for example Santeria, a syncretic religion of West African and Caribbean origin; and Rumba dance – as part of its aesthetic. The play, therefore, presents itself as an opportunity, not simply for the teaching and honing of necessary skills in theatre, but for students to be exposed to Cuban culture and familiarize themselves with the history of the Caribbean region. Syntyche Bishop played the role of Maria Antonia, with a supporting cast that included Tafar Lewis, Robert Noel, Kareem Durity, Ketisha Williams, Daniella Johnson, Dernelle Smith, Merlisia McIntosh, Khadein Benn, Lequacia Renee Quash-De Suze, Jarell Akini Alder, Adam Pascall, Lalonde Jay Ochoa, Marvin Dowridge, Ion-Iee Farmer, Marcus Waldron, Shanice James, Simeon Chris Moodoo, Kirsten Shade, Candace Sturge Dunbar, Gabrielle Jade Le Gendre, Alana Ash and Ruzanne Gustave. You can catch the final dance performance of DCFA’s Sole to Sole today at the Little Carib Theatre from 6pm. Here are some images from the production captured by Wesley Nicholls. |
The Department of Creative & Festival Arts (DCFA) of The UWI just completed its run of Maria Antonia at the Little Carib Theatre, and from all accounts, it was a success.