Culture come when yuh buk up yuself.

Andrew Sulkie( Jamaican Director)

Name: Saneka Setram ID#:MI9548/07 Option: Double Option English Group: 3C10 Course: Drama in Education Lecturer: Mr. J. Johnson Date: December 4, 2009.

As I sit here and reflect on a curtain coming down on a major episode in my life , I wonder if I would be able to adequately describe this roller coaster ride that had me climbing the walls at least once per day. The roller coaster ride called drama production. When I first heard this term I understood two things write a script And put on a play. I did not think further than these two concepts. But as the months unraveled I was to learn that making a play required a lot of endurance. Therefore, I have decided to examine the impact of the drama production on me.

The class was split into three main committees- fundraising, entertainment and playwright. I became a part of the playwright committee.

I use to believe that playwrights just sat and wrote plays but this belief is no more. I have learnt that there is a period called writers block. This happened to me and I felt like I could not contribute anymore ideas towards the writing of the script. Eventually, I got over it but I had to learn to relax and let the ideas flow. At times, it felt like there was not enough hours in the day to write the script because time was always running out on us. To make matters worse some members of the playwright committee left and those of us who remained became demotivated and as a result we drifted apart. Finally, some members of the playwright committee including myself sat and completed writing the script. But

this was just one hurdle to overcome because as I discovered over the following weeks there would be much bigger hurdles to jump.

While the play was being written, the fundraising committee met and organized several fundraising activities to raise funds to pay for the theater and other essentials-to build a set, pay the man in charge of sound and lighting and so forth The fundraising committee had to send out several letters through the appropriate channels to request permission to host fundraising parties. Everyone had to contribute weekly dues in order to buy items to sell. The profits from these sales were put in an account to garner interest. Each member of the class was given items such as Butterscotch, Tiki or Tigers to sell in order to make money. I found myself in the position of trying to persuade persons to buy these items from me by explaining the purpose for conducting these transactions and that the items were delicious and worth the money. I have since learnt that I have the necessary skills to become an entrepreneur and thus broaden my horizons.

The auditions were held and several

persons were chosen to depict

the characters in the play. Rehearsals were scheduled by the stage managers to be held two to three hours per day. Suddenly, everyone started to argue that they could not dedicate these amount of hours because they had other coursework

due. Some members of the casts did not show up for rehearsals and others sent messages that they quit. I wondered what was going on because it looked like 3C10 was falling apart when now was the time we needed to bond together and get the show on the road. The rehearsals made me feel like I just wanted to walk away and not look back. But I could not because to make this play a reality I had to stay and try to help solve the problem not add to it. During the rehearsals I have learnt the difference between stage managers and directors. I have watched some of my classmates step in to fill the gap left by other classmates who were unwilling to compromise. The week before opening night was a nightmare but persons like Celethe prayed to God to keep us together and He came through.

Two weeks before the making of the play we were introduced to a man by the name of Mr.Brian Heeps. He spoke to us about play making . This was a memorable experience because I learnt that in making a play it is important to know the three different strains of drama-appreciation, technique and imagination. He showed us how effective it could be to maintain a still posture and use the voice to get your point across. Additionally, he told us about a student who used his creativity and imagination to make a film which led to him going on to bigger and better things . I found this story very motivating and so I have decided to try my hand at film- making. After Mr. Heeps, we met the actor Carl Davis.

I listened keenly as he spoke and directed the members of the cast to move from one section of the stage to another. I have learnt from him that in making a play an actor or actress must not turn his or her back to the audience and that the script should correspond with the actions on stage to show that practice was done and the actors and actresses have studied and learnt their lines. These two individuals have helped me to see that in making a play certain factors as identified above must be present in order to product a noteworthy play.

The big night finally arrived and I was nervous for myself and the entire 3C10. I was one of the ushers and so I handed out programmes and escorted persons to their seats . Backstage the actors and actresses were getting ready for the performance of a lifetime- makeup had to be applied to their faces and the costumes were taken out so that they would be on hand when needed. The play began and persons began to laugh as the various scenes unfolded and then I knew that God had answered my prayers and 3C10 had taken the right approach - making the play reflect issues prevalent in todays society . I guess all the drama before was needed so that on that night we would be picture perfect like the title of the play. We got an A for our efforts and I thank God for it. As the roller coaster ride ceases I go away with the knowledge that contributing to the

development of this play has equipped me with life- long skills such as creativity and time management to better take my place in the Jamaican society.