Trinidad’s vibrant theatre community is set to host an extraordinary week of theatrical presentations during the first week of December. Three prominent organizations—Playwrights Workshop Trinbago (PWT), Trinidad Theatre Workshop (TTW), and Torch Theatre Company (TTC)—have joined forces to present a diverse program of performances and readings that highlight both emerging and established Caribbean talent.
The cultural festivities commence on December 3 at 7 PM with PWT’s Monthly Readers Theatre Series, featuring a cold reading and audience discussion of ‘HerStory’ by Arnetia Thomas. This compelling drama explores the emotional journey of Claudette, a woman who channels her maternal instincts toward her extended family while grappling with her own inability to conceive. The narrative examines how personal pain can unconsciously affect relationships, following Claudette’s path toward self-discovery and empowerment.
Thomas, an accomplished creative professional active since 2014, brings multifaceted experience to her writing. Holding a theatre arts degree from UWI, she has excelled as an actress, dancer, traditional mas performer, fire breather, educator, and director. She currently teaches theatre arts at Belmont Secondary School while co-managing her own theatre company, De Drama FacTTory, and traditional mas group Les Reines Djabbes.
The theatrical journey continues on December 5 at 7 PM with a landmark off-script performance of Althea Milliband’s ‘Jury of Peers,’ directed by Marvin L Ishmael. This innovative production marks the first fully-staged interpretation of Milliband’s absurdist legal drama, which was inspired by a viral video depicting a crab wielding a knife. The play imaginatively explores the judicial implications of a crustacean potentially causing human fatality, questioning whether such an act could constitute self-defense, murder, manslaughter, or even suicide.
Milliband, who describes herself as a revolutionary and aspiring playwright, developed this unconventional narrative after the bizarre video captured her creative imagination.
Concluding the week’s events, Torch Theatre Company presents ‘Dat Is Mih Family’ on December 6 at 7 PM and December 7 at 6 PM. This improvisational Christmas comedy promises warmth and hilarity, offering audiences a lighthearted seasonal performance.
All events will be hosted at the Trinidad Theatre Workshop’s venue at 6 Newbold Street, St Clair, Port of Spain. The Monthly Readers Theatre Series serves as a critical developmental platform for emerging playwrights, providing opportunity for script refinement through audience feedback and professional input. PWT encourages actors, directors, producers, and theatre enthusiasts to participate in these readings, as volunteers from the audience often contribute to the dramatic interpretations.
Playwrights seeking to have their work featured in future readings must submit scripts for consideration through the MRTS program. Additional information regarding submissions and upcoming events can be obtained by emailing playwrightsworkshoptt@gmail.com, calling/texting/WhatsApping 351-6293, or visiting their social media channels @playwrightsworkshoptt on Facebook and Instagram.