OCHO RIOS, St Ann:
St Ann-based playwright Everton Dawkins has embarked on a project to use his latest production, Single Parents, to raise funds for several schools in his native parish of Clarendon.
A Dynamite Production, written by Dawkins, Single Parents opens on Valentine's Day, February 14 at Hotel Versalles playfield in May Pen, with proceeds going to May Pen Primary and Central High schools.
Dawkins said he has written to the Ministry of Youth and Culture informing about the project.
"The play is a real good comedy, something to laugh about, but we also want to bring a message," Dawkins told Rural Xpress on Tuesday. "It's an inspirational play that can be performed for schools and church groups and right now we're concentrating on schools and anywhere youths are involved. It's a message to the students first and foremost."
The message, according to Dawkins, is stay away from sex, concentrate on your school work and your exam. The play also addresses the issue of peer pressure, and other things that students go through while at school.
"We touch on those issues to show that they can be overcome if they seriously commit themselves. The message from Single Parents is that somebody who didn't adhere (to the rules) got messed up and those who did went on to be successful."
Dawkins said he was spurred into action after a news item on television showing a section of the roof at May Pen primary. That is the main focus for the February 14 show with funds also going to Central High, to assist with projects at the school including getting the team to Girls and Boys Championships.
Dawkins has also identified Treadlight basic, Treadlight primary and May Pen police youth club as being in line to benefit from later performances, along with other high schools.
"Now Denbigh High wants their own, Kemps Hill High, Bustamante High, they all want their own. We're actually going island wide and instead of going to schools individually I think it's better to pool the schools. It's not going to cost you anything, we do the spending and you do the reaping."
Being Valentine's Day, Dynamite Productions has added Ernest Wilson and Jamaica's James Brown to the package.
Single Parents welcomes top flight comedian Leighton Smith in his acting debut. The play also features two teachers by profession, Kavin Carthy, a teacher of performing arts at Hopewell High, and Juliet "Dell" Shank.
The play also features long-time play favourite Maxwell "Bashy" Grant, Wayne Newby as Ghetto Gyal, Tanice Ellis, Latoyah Folkes, and Kirk Codner.