Drammy Awards to be introduced at Festival

Move over Oscars. Step aside Tony and Emmy. Make way for the Drammys.

That’s the name given to the top prize which local actors and actresses will be looking forward to receiving when the final curtain falls on the 2008 Theatre Arts Festival on December 6th.{{more}}

The Festival, which commences on October 31st, is expected to feature five of the country’s top drama groups over a two month span.

Each group will perform their play on three days, followed by a final performance on the night of the Drammy Awards.

Starting the ball rolling will be the Waves Drama Club, with their play “Wedded Bliss 2”, from October 31st to November 2nd.

They will be followed by the Methodist Dramatists, from November 7th to 9th, with “Don’t Tell Nobody”, then the Police Drama Club with “Life With Joseph”, from the 14th to 16th of November.

On November 21st and 22nd, the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Community College Performing Arts Society will do “Jinx Wedding”, and “The Final Verdict” will be performed from November 28th to 30th by Urban Expressions Drama Club.

At the recent Launch of the Festival, Drama Development Officer in the Ministry of Culture Martin Quashie indicated that the Theatre Arts Festival will take a new twist this year.

According to Quashie, each group will be responsible for the production of their plays, as well as box office receipts.

The groups will be responsible for nominating and awarding the winners of the various awards, all under the guidance of the Ministry.

Representing the National Commercial Bank, sponsors of the Festival, Cheryl Rodriguez noted her pleasure at the way the event was launched in a cocktail setting, which featured sample performances by each of the groups performing in the Festival.

She also boasted of the Bank’s dedication to the event, with an increase in sponsorship this year.

Also addressing the Launch were Cultural Officer Anthony Theobalds and Minister of Culture Rene Baptiste, who praised the groups and urged more persons to become involved in the performing arts.

The Festival will take place at the Peace Memorial Hall. (JJ)