Barracks Entertainment addresses teenage issues, mental health with ‘Balla’
Published:Monday | June 28, 2021 | 12:07 AM
Barracks Entertainment has been diligently planning its next move. Over the years, the company has brought an impressive résumé of true-to-life stories to the fore. Plays such as Wah Sweet Nanny Goat, Black Sheep, Ananda Alert, and Force Ripe earned the respect of the film and theatre community and motivated the company’s founder, Fabian Barracks, to push the envelope a step further each time. Both Ananda Alert and Force Ripe earned multiple nominations in last year’s Actor Boy Awards.
His latest production, Balla, in comparison to previous works, is a bit more risqué. The eight-episode series explores teenage sexuality and many issues that the generation faces during their high-school years, from struggles with identity, friendship drama, and suicidal thoughts to familial issues.
“When the other plays are on stage, I am not able to explore certain thematic concerns as it will come across as a bit much for students,” Barracks told The Gleaner, even though noting that it is a youth-centred production house and several persons are drama students from the Ardenne and St Catherine high schools.
“With this online series, I am more able to present taboo subjects more realistically. While [plays] may focus on the main message, [with this], I can write in several messages for each episode.”
YIELDS TO CHALLENGE
The teen drama series premièred virtually on YouTube last Friday to over 100 viewers and has since then amassed over 10,000 views via the online video-sharing platform. The lead character Romello Bright, affectionately called ‘Balla’ by his peers, is relatable and leaves the audience craving for more, but that’s no surprise as the actor is used to being in front of an audience and camera as a recording artiste. Popular dancehall deejay Laa Lee plays the precocious fourth-former who, by the end of the first episode, yields to a challenge by one of his close friends, Stephen Mendez, acted by Croccifixio Thompson, to hook up with the hottest teacher in school, Nina Gonzales, played by Renae Williams-Dawson.
“We are making a concentrated effort to grow our following and increase our earnings on YouTube. We are hoping to keep our youth fan base engaged through technology. The first season will have a Balla Vibes Chat series, and one thing is for sure, young people will not be bored watching Balla, and they will identify with at least one or a few of the characters,” he said. “Everyone knows our youth can be full of drama and conflict, and we wanted to bring situations that have plagued many Jamaican schools for years – and sometimes is put under hush-hush.”
Barracks revealed that inspiration came from the days he spent in high school and news that a male student athlete had sexual relations with a teacher, and rumours circulated that he fathered a child.
He said, “The reality is so close to home, and the situation exists in many schools, so I know it will connect to youth audiences all across Jamaica. People will see the value of friendship and education, all while being entertained thoroughly by the mix of seasoned actors and newcomers. I believe other characters like Miss Bev, a saucy, no-nonsense woman and is the grandmother of Balla and Dan-Dan, will capture the hearts of Jamaican youth.”
Barracks is confident that the characters, and the series itself will score many goals by increasing visibility and interest in the production house. He also hopes it will put the needed spotlight on the issues faced by teenagers in Jamaica, and globally, and will inspire change.
Barracks said that the absence of theatre throughout the pandemic played a part in developing the concept and forced the director and his co-writers, Rory Roberts and Jerome Burke, to come out of their comfort zones. Usually, in the third school semester, the company would be touring across the island for its Child Month shows and engagements, but in March 2020, Barracks Entertainment closed the doors of its theatre.
THEATRE IS POWERFUL TOOL
Speaking about theatre as a powerful tool, Barracks said that he has seen at first-hand how it has helped persons cope with stress and depression. “Quite a few young persons have reached out to us that this COVID-19 pandemic has made them feel suicidal, and it has heightened the familial issues at home. While we try to assure them that things will get better, we have to do our part as an entertainment company, to put more emphasis in the digital space to engage our subscribers.”
The director and writer added, “COVID-19 mash up theatre bad, bad. As a playwright, I thrive off the intimacy of the audience and actors, (so) it was a challenge for me to venture into filming. I am way out of my comfort zone, and I realise that even my writing and directing style has to be adapted to fit the screen as opposed to a stage.”
Barracks Entertainment is also working on publishing a book, titled Caribbean Plays for Modern Youth, which the group’s head anticipates will be ready by the end of July for literature and theatre arts students. It targets grade seven straight through to college students.
“Aside from a dream for my work to be studied academically, I also want to leave a legacy of contemporary plays that youth can enjoy in schools. I am hoping that this book will be accepted as part of the upcoming CSEC books and give an experience to the youth that impacts their love for theatre and performing arts,” Barracks continued.