Basil Dawkins - Contributed

Andr Jebbinson, Staff Reporter

Many thespians will probably say they wanted to do theatre from as far back as they can remember. No so for playwright and producer Basil Dawkins. It was not until he was in his undergraduate years at the University of the West Indies (UWI) that he realised the theatre would become a part of his life.

"I had no interest whatsoever in theatre. I think it was primarily because when I was in high school they mostly did European plays," Dawkins said.

The quickly changed when he was required to see the play, Smile Orange.

"I was now able to relate to the closeness because of the Jamaicaness," Dawkins about about his first experience with a Jamaican play.

He still did not follow up on theatre until his inquisitive nature got the better of him. Dawkins stopped by the then Creative Arts Centre, now Philip Sherlock Centre for the Creative Arts to eavesdrop on a rehearsal.One thing led to another and, before he knew it, he had a line in the play. It was a small line, which he eventually forgot because of stage fright, but it was a start.

"They needed a crowd scene and the director asked me to stand on the stage. I think that was my baptism to theatre," Dawkins said.

Dawkins soon wanted to explore all aspects and the craft of theatre. He had become a lot more involved in college theatre and by the end of undergrad he was involved in about 20 productions. Others were taking notice of his progress and he was given an invitation to join the Caribbean Theatre Workshop among other "serious theatre practitioners".

His goal

Though things have changed from what he is used to, theatre critics doing it for more than a paycheque and the quality of the material having more substance, Dawkins is still on course to accomplish his goal of making it to the small and big screens.

"These were people who were true theatre lovers and were not only doing a job. I don't see it this anymore," he said.

There was a point in his life when he had to try to balance theatre and his regular job and found that writing instead of acting would have made a more compatible schedule. Then there came a time when he gave up his chosen career to pursue writing fulltime. It was a choice he had to to make, but after years of living the dual life his passion for writing prevailed.

He held a senior management position at the now defunct Mutual Life, but was dismissed. Down, but not out, he tried his hand at his own business, but the pen and paper were calling his name.

"I decided why not pursue my passion, with the intention that I will be ultimately rewarded when I make it to the big screen. I am enjoying it. I made up my mind that I am going to enjoy the ride," he said.

Where he wants to be

There are ups and downs, but he is still where he wants to be. These days, he is busy with its latest production, Uptown Bangarang, while planning for Jamaica's version of the Oscars, the Actor Boy Awards. Nominations for this year's show will be announced on February 27, and the awards ceremony will follow in exactly one month, on March 27.

The show operates on a "shoestring" budget, but Dawkins said the awards show is committed to honouring excellence in theatre and wants Jamaicans to support the cause. This, he said, can only "help to deepen Jamaican theatre". The participants have now added the local flavour by incorporating local fashion designers to adorn them. and Jamaicans should look out for a better show this year.