No room for play - Delcita says venue access a serious issue facing theatre

Andrea 'Delcita' Wright said that a shortage of venues continue to impede the growth of theatre in Jamaica.

'Delcita', whose newest production, Ex Baby Mother, hits the stage on Heroes' Weekend, said that there are not many venues to readily accommodate thespians

"The most major challenge that we are facing right now as playwrights and as producers is simply that we do not have enough venues. Let's take this Heroes' Day showing of my play, for example. We have to be competing with Centerstage for Courtleigh Auditorium. So now people who want to see me in Kingston have to come out to Hydel (High) to see me," 'Delcita said.

The actress, whose hilarious on-stage appearance and undeniably funny punchlines have made her a favourite among Jamaicans, said the shortage of venues is no joking matter.

"The last time I was in Montego Bay was in 2017. There is literally nowhere in MoBay we can go, and people are there who want to come see the plays. Some people say 'go Pier One', but if we go there and it rains, what do we do? So from my perspective, we don't have an issue with patrons but more so venues," Delcita told THE STAR.

Ex Baby Mother premiers at Dinthill Technical High School in St Catherine on October 16, and then moves to Hydel High, also in St Catherine, on October 17.

The play surrounds commentary on the social issue of parent alienation, which, according to Wright, she sees many cases in her line of work as a guidance counsellor.

Meanwhile, with regards to sponsorship, Wright believes that over the years roots plays have been at a disadvantage because of the way they are viewed. Ex Baby Mother looks at a common issue across the world and is unsponsored.

"People just don't get the hype from theatre like they do, for let's say, the music industry. And you know our plays are usually thought of as like downtown things, so we don't get a lot of people wanting to come on board with us," she said.