[DO GOOD]
jama ic a j u n i o r t heat r e: e n te rta i n i n g and g i v i n g back
by gabrielle miller
T
he Jamaica Musical Theatre Company (JMTC) and daughter company, the Jamaica Junior Theatre (JJT) have been entertaining Jamaican audiences for decades. Founder Douglas Bennett established these organisations in 1960 and 1983, respectively, to promote the performing arts in Jamaica. However, this was not their only mission: both are nonprofit organisations and have contributed more than $3 million, raised through their annual productions, to various causes since their early days. Annually, JMTC/JJT members perform for and visit various charities, including the STEP Centre, PALS Jamaican and the SOS Children’s Village, where there is a JMTC Junior Theatre House. Funds from this year’s production, Alice: The Musical, will be donated to the non-governmental community organisation Children First, which focuses on underprivileged children and improving their life opportunities. “We are especially happy to be making a contribution this year given that they recently were forced to
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close their remedial school due to a lack of financial support,” says Danielle Stiebel, Musical Director and Producer of the 2013 JJT production. Other organisations are also able to raise funds for their own purposes, many of which are charitable. Benefit performances are available for sale and the tickets are resold at a profit. “Many schools, small businesses and NGO’s raise financing for their own initiatives which by and large contribute to the development of children and the youth in Jamaica,” says Stiebel. The JMTC has also recently initiated the JMTC Christina Bennett Scholarship Fund, named in honour of the late Christina Bennett, who was for many years an integral part of the development of the youth theatre. Many of the youngsters who participate in the shows have financial difficulties, so the organisation wanted to help them achieve their educational goals. “We started this scholarship to award our members who have selflessly given their time and talents to help others, even when they themselves need financial help,” said Stiebel. The 2013 production features a cast of approximately 60 performers between the ages of six and 21 and runs a total of 28 performances.Working with young children is never an easy task, but year after year, JJT does it successfully. The benefits of being involved with the JJT are numerous: aside from their charitable donation, the members and those involved in putting on the production learn about the importance of giving back to others.
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