Light, camera, action ... the 21st staging of Actor Boy Awards set to go

Krista Henry, Staff Reporter

The lights, the cameras, and the nominees are ready for this year's staging of the 21st Actor Boy Awards.

Scheduled for March 28 at the Pantry Playhouse in New Kingston, the Actor Boy Awards seeks to applaud the very best each year in Jamaican theatre. Speaking with actress and a nominee for this year, Dahlia Harris, recently, Harris told The Sunday Gleaner that the Awards serve not only to highlight the best in theatre for the year, but provides an avenue through which theatre practitioners may be nationally recognised for their work. She commented, "the event is under the auspices of the International Theatre Institute (ITI), so it is benchmarked to international standards."

Having been going on for 21 years now, the Actor Boy Awards, Harris said, helps to not only boost interest in the world of theatre but strives to recognise the hard work of all involved in every level of production. She added, "the Awards are primarily about recognising excellence over a specified period and draws national and international attention to works produced here in Jamaica. It also provides a point of reference for thespians who are hopeful of showcasing their talent overseas."

As for this year's awards ceremony, Harris said it will be a smaller setting. "It is going to be a more intimate occasion thus the decision to have it at the Pantry Playhouse and Boardwalk, and we expect the duration to be shorter as each year we try to keep the ceremony as precise as possible. It is customary for nominees in the Best Production category to do excerpts during the show and, by virtue of the variance in production types, it will provide a nice blend of local theatre."

This year's productions, like White Witch from Montego Bay, is a leading nominee, alongside Midnight at Puss Creek.