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In The Beginning T h e r e Wa s T h e Wo r d

A THEATRICAL PLAY WRITTEN & DIRECTED BY

Keisha “N’Zingha” Griffith Poster Design by Brook-Elliott Gill

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ERROL BARROW CENTRE FOR CREATIVE IMAGINATION POST GRADUATE STUDENT STAGES THEATRICAL PRESENTAION

In The Beginning there was THE WORD The Errol Barrow Centre for Creative Imagination (EBCCI), UWI Cave Hill Campus will be staging the MA Creative Arts Thesis Production, “In The Beginning There Was The Word” a one act play written and directed by Keisha Griffith, post graduate candidate of the EBCCI. The play focuses on the Barbadian voice in contemporary society and how its existence has been devalued and in some aspects been reshaped due to the onset of de-culturalisation and globalization. The play will also look at societal issues which permeate its current existence. “In The Beginning There Was The Word” will be birthed on May 17th 2014 at 7:00pm in the Walcott Warner Theatre of the EBCCI catering to an adults only audience. THE WORD continues on the terrace of the Walcott Warner Theatre with the Creative Arts Hub on the Terrace which includes an Open Mic segment with featured spoken word and musical artists, such as Rebel Glam and Salief as well as a variety of craft by local creative artists in a fair like activity. Admission for “In The Beginning There Was The Word” is free however entrance is by ticket only and can be collected from the Errol Barrow Centre or Ms. Griffith. For more information about the event, please call 4174776, email ebcci@cavehill.uwi.edu or visit www.cavehill.uwi.edu/ebcci/ events

â€œHe always comes in the dark...

In The Beginning there Was The Word Ann'Droid - is a cybernetic storyteller of the future who plugs herself into mainstream society to communicate with her people. After a virus attacks her cerebral cortex, she begins to overload from the de-culturalisation of the Barbadian identity. There is a darkness which is haunting her dreams, which feeds on the fears of her people - their voices. Will she be able to defeat it with the assistance of her siblings? Or will she too be always afraid of the dark?.....

“In The Beginning There Was the Word”- is a sci-fi styled theatrical presentation, which is set in a laboratory where space and time intersect. A young female cyborg named Ann’Droid who has been uploaded and attached to main stream society and receives a system failure due to an overload connection with an unknown force. The play will be a one act and will pay close attention to the main problem of the story which is Ann’Droid’s journey to finding her voice. The story structure takes the form of a Milieu and told from the point of view of Ann’Droid as she travels around different areas in society both in the real world and the spiritual plane and at times a merger of the two. The play, “In The Beginning There Was the Word” shares feelings, emotions, beliefs and ideas on how society looks at a particular situation or world, the challenges which stem from it and suggested solutions to these challenges.

Writer & Director

Keisha ‘N’Zingha’ Griffith is a 29 year old poet, writer, actress and director. She already holds five awards which she won at the inter-campus theatre arts competition called “Tallawah” at Mona Campus in Jamaica and is also the host and Emcee of the popular open mic show, “De Vibe Open Mic & Lounge” at the Good Life Café. She is currently starting up her new business FADE TO BLACK PRODUCTIONS and her idea on heART is that it beats strongly in people who listen to it, in which it gives hope, peace and tradition to the grow-cess of the community. Photo by DeOlivere Originals

Director’s message “In The Beginning There Was There Word” - a long title I know, but it came from a need to find my voice and what that voice meant to me. As I looked around Barbados, even before the research application, I realized that we –Bajans– are currently hurting and hurting terribly. Everyone seems to be on one end of the social extreme. Internally enraged or morbidly depressed. Every where you look you can see it. The blank faces that do not want to feel anything because it hurts too much and keep themselves plugged in or the enraged persons who say nothing but take “it” - IT for me being Mr. Harding. He has most definitely evolved in to a charismatic sensual predator of fear and darkness. The harder I looked I realized that our Oral Traditions are the stories of who we are - in the folk tales, in the poems, songs, chants prayers.. OUR culture that we laugh at or sweep under the carpet. The power of the tongue holds so much more than idle gossip. It can make or break our community. WE have substituted love and human contact with the plastic and are no longer feeding ourselves or the young generations to come. We are hungry. Please feed us. Food for thought, from the harvest… Yours Creatively, Keisha “N’Zingha”

cast Charlene Haynes “Ann’Droid”

Charlene, was always involved in some form of the arts, and has an Associate Degree in Theatre Arts from the Barbados Community College. Now enrolled at the Errol Barrow Centre’s BA Fine Arts Programme she is continuing her education focusing on Film, Dance and Theatre. In addition she has been a part of the popular dance company “Of Another Nature” since 2013 and believes that without the arts her life would most definitely be non-existent.

cast Vannessa Nightengale â€œDr. Lexiconâ€? (Speech)

Vanessa is a young creative individual who does not limit herself to any single area in art, but also has a strong desire to understand various art forms which are inclusive of drawing, painting, and writing fiction. The first 'official' theatre role for Vanessa came in 2006 when she performed in Winston Farrell's play When Hope Smiles, which examined the life of a person living with bipolar disorder. That same year Vanessa was also a part of an ambush or street theatre performance in union with the Barbados HIV/AIDS commission, it was geared to educate the public about the disease. From 2006 to 2008 she worked with John W. F. Walcott in Laff like a Bajan and continues to pursue her passion for visual and creative arts wherever it may lead.

cast Adrian Green â€œDr. Pulseâ€?

Actor. Lyricist. Spoken word artist. Adrian Green embodies the arts, with material that is created to edify and educate. Part of the spoken word duo, Iron Sharpen Iron, Green draws inspiration from figures like Gandhi and Louis Farrakhan, Bob Marley and Sizzla, and, closer to home, vintage calypsonians and his own Bajan people. Unafraid to let his voice be heard and views be known, he is the winner of multiple awards, including the Barbadian Slam Poetry Competition, the Emancipation Roots Experience Show and the 2010 NIFCA Gold Award. However, his focus continues to be the upliftment and awareness of people and he continues to strive to get his messages to the masses.

cast Natoya Yarde â€œDr. Decibellaâ€?

Natoya, is a determined actress, writer, gymnast, cinematographer, editor and budding event planner who is currently working on completing and publishing her anthology of poetry, her first novel and possibly millionth screenplay. She is a cub rapidly transforming into a lioness with an academic and professional background in a variety of subjects. Natoya was awarded an Irving Burgee Literary and Creative arts scholarship in 2005 and she was one of the first females to receive a full scholarship in the Caribbean to attend the World Scholar Athlete/Artists games to participate in the Theatre Arts program due to her well rounded background in sports, art and academics.

cast D.j Simmons “Mr. Harding” 1

D.J Simmons simply put, is a pure Bajan poet. This gifted writer, who has been described as being a "diamond in the rough", has the knack of portraying relatable life's experiences in an unintentional comical manner. No matter the theme this versatile writer is discussing, one could always recognise that style that is distinctly D.J. He has been writing short stories and poems from a young adolescent age, but made the decision to make writing and creating his lifestyle with the turn of 2006 by founding Dojangles Publishing, which was responsible for producing his first book “Feelin’ A Way: D.J’s Book ‘O Rhymz”. D.J has been busy since the launching of his first book; taking part in monthly NCF Poetry Read-Ins and Bajan VOICES Collective meetings, and winning awards at NIFCA in both the literary and performance arts.

cast Deono James â€œMr. Hardingâ€? 2

Deono James has been a professional Stilt Walker since the age of 13. Now at the age of 26 he has performed for numerous events including Soca Royale, Bridgetown Market and Cohobblopot. In addition to this he is also an avid male fitness and fashion model and has represented Barbados in countries such as Jamaica, Canada and Grenada. Moreover, he was given the great opportunity to be featured in the "Better Health Magazine" giving beneficial insights on how stilt walking can keep performers fit and feeling energetic. He has entered several Men's Physique Competitions, such as Mr. Bridgetown, Barbados Bikini and Men's Physique Cup, National Bodybuilding & Fitness Championships and Darcy Beckles Classic of which he all medaled respectively.

cast Kerry-Ann Waithe “Asase Yaa”

Kerry Ann Waithe is a thirty-seven year old spoken word artist who believes in living life authentically and with passion. For this artist, creator, mother, educator, the expression of unconditional love is the be all and end all of all that she does. Heavily influenced by the works of Adrian Green and D’bi Young, Kerry Ann made her debut on the spoken word circuit in 2009, gracing the stages of open mics all across Barbados. Kerry Ann is a two-time finalist in Barbados’ premiere cultural arts festival, NIFCA, where she has wowed audiences with powerful delivery on sensitive topics ranging from the perception of the womb, to the standard of beauty as portrayed by society. For Kerry Ann art is a “weapon of mass construction.” As such she believes that it should be used, first and foremost, as a spiritual salve, but when necessary, to interrupt the steady stream of societal dogma, and encourage, even force, critical analysis of individual and collective beliefs and norms.

cast Jovanna Ellis â€œMillyâ€?

The vivacious Jovanna Ellis is a young, multitalented individual who loves working in all aspects of the arts including performing, backstage management, & teaching. Some of her performances Includes Da kink in my hair, Broken Dolls and a short informercial commisoned by the Barbados Family planning Association,which was launched in Belize. She has worked behind the seens on such productions as Laugh It off and Secrets 3. Jovanna has worked under such prominent directors like Sonia Williams, Yvonne Weekes, Winston Farrell and Cicely Spencer Cross. She aspires to be successful in whatever endeavour and hopes to inspire and empower persons she encounters.

cast Levi King “Oscar ‘Ossie’ Moore’

Levi is an actor, singer, songwriter and music producer with major aspirations. Since his introduction to the Combermere dramatic society, his love for the stage and the art of acting grew as well as his love for music. Throughout the years, Levitance has been part of a few theatre groups including, Outta de Blu, The Gale Theatre of London and Barbados, the comedy group Odds n Ends, as well as dancing with Turbulence. Levitance has since grown into a budding filmmaker and is now co-founder of new theatre company Yardie Boy Theatre and film company I-Sight Films. Levitance strives to be the best he can be with hopes of one day reaching the international scene with something new and exciting to offer.

cast Tony Thompson “John Brown”

“This is a new one. Another journey through time brining the space from page to stage, to a place, where voice and body are fulfilled. It is good once again to materialize the actor’s purpose” - Tony

cast Sabrina Ambrose “Mehrill”

Sabrina Ambrose is a 39 year old drama enthusiast which has always been her passion. In 2011, she won best talent in the Emancipation Roots Show in which she performed a spoken word piece entitled, “My Hair Do” written by DJ Simmons. She has also entered NIFCA on numerous occasions and received numerous awards. Even though young in this field she strives to become better.

creative team Sherryanne Moore Makeup & Special Effects

George Cox Set Designer

Wesu Wallace Sound

Following the production, the audience will be treated the celebration of the oral traditions. There will be ano pen mic hosted by Adaeze entitled â€œWord Sound Rootâ€?, featured acts will be in poetry and song. These include reggae artist Kullard, spoken word artist Rebel Glam and performance drummer Salief. Patrons are also invited to visit the art booths and stalls on the terrace which will be selling items from wine, hor dourves, jewelry, body butters and so much more!

Artists, Designers & Performers

Featured Artist: Salief Known for his eclectic percussive skill, Salief has been writing by â€“earâ€“ for almost a decade. On May 17 on the terrace of the Walcott Warner Theatre, join us! He will showcase his skill and charisma as the featured artist for...

Word! Sound! Root!

Artists, designers &

REBEL GLAM, aka Mrs. Selena Dodson, was born in New York but was raised in Barbados by a Jamaican mother and Barbadian father. She is a wife and mother, a culinary arts entrepreneur, a writer of songs, plays, poetry and prose, and a singer of a mix of genres. Her passion is in the arts so she tries to promote positive artists any way she possibly can and currently hosts a monthly event called D ARTS LIME along with the Chameleon Arts Promo team in order to showcase local talent. “Chef GLAM” is also known for her cooking and cupcakes. She does cooking demonstrations and her TV show- “REBEL GLAM’s Kitchen” has been well received and showcases ‘free-style’ cooking along with artist interviews.

Artists, designers &

2013 was a breakout year for singer/songwriter Erskine “Kullurd” Proverbs. He emerged from the Bajan underground reggae scene with a unique roots/reggae conscious directive that proved much welcomed and unmatched. By the spring of 2013 he signed a management deal with GrayWorks Media and later that year entered Barbados’ prestigious National Independence Festival of Creative Arts (NIFCA) where he was awarded a Silver Medal for his selfpenned entry “Lockdown”. He has guest performed with reggae sensation Albert Olton and the Revalayshun Band and in 2012 took the stage at FAS Entertainment’s Bajan Reggae Night portion of the annual Barbados Reggae Festival. Kullurd’s music is a delicious mix of positive songs with a peaceful, thought-filled message. He is a gifted composer, employing a fresh style to his contagious roots laden music that causes listeners to easily embrace him.