National Drama Festival 2013 launched
The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport in collaboration with the National School of Drama launched the National Drama Festival 2013, on Wednesday at the National Cultural Centre. This is the 3rd annual drama festival that has been hosted in Guyana.
The festival is an initiative to promote local talent and exhibit Guyana’s culture thorough an art form. Minister of Culture Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony highlighted at the event that drama is used to address social and economical issues and is done through plays, poetry, songs and dances.
A section of the crowd gathered at the launch of the
National Drama Festival 2013
The festival is not only a competition; it is meant to reward the best performer, while providing them with training, so that they can elevate themselves to a level of competence.
Digicel, which is the major sponsor of this festival, has been on board with the initiative from the start. The company’s Head of Marketing, Ms. Jacqueline James said, “Drama is a door that is open to youths,” and Digicel is always happy to be on board with the ministry to provide exposure to the youths.
Digicel’s Head of Marketing, Ms. Jacqueline James
presenting a certificate to one of the graduates of
a course for drama instructors at the launch of the
National Drama Festival 2013
The ministry has been working very closely with the National School of Drama to promote training, and as part of this initiative, a course called ‘The introduction to the elements of stage craft for drama instructors’ was offered. The course was taken by all the students of the Drama school, and some practitioners and teachers. Forty of the students passed the exam, 23 of whom attained distinctions. These students were assessed under three main areas: stage management, live performance and a written test.
Minister of Culture Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony
presenting a certificate to one of the graduates of a
drama instructors’ course
The course is a network of training that provides advanced training to the students which will influence their employment and income capacity. The graduates will be working as mentors in guiding the participants in the National Drama Festival 2013 in their plays and performances.
The course also includes CXC and CAPE theatre arts programme, and although this subject is offered in some schools in Guyana, it is not a subject that is given much attention or importance, and is often thought by unqualified teachers.
Graduates of the course ‘Introduction to the elements
of stage craft for drama instructors’
The introduction of the subject at the CAPE level in schools has not been done as yet, but is expected to within a year’s time under this network. The Associate Degree and then the Bachelor’s Degree in drama are also expected to be developed under and will be offered at the National School of Drama.
Minister Anthony said that last year there were 52 plays in the National Drama Festival and this year the expectation is that there will be more. He also said that the drama industry or the art industry on the whole is one of the most renewable and sustainable industries in the world.
He is optimistic that the National Drama Festival will be expanded sometime in the future and expressed his desire of seeing companies formed to promote Guyanese plays and arts to other countries.
He said by doing so, not only will it bring exposure to the artistes/actors, but it will boost the country’s economy and will also showcase Guyana’s rich culture.