The Playwrights Workshop of Trinbago (PWT) will inaugurate its 2026 monthly readers theatre series with a special presentation featuring foundational member and accomplished playwright Judith Theodore. The season opener will showcase cold readings of Theodore’s two distinctive works: ‘Don’t Be Late’ and ‘The Big Debate’ on January 7 at the Trinidad Theatre Workshop in Port of Spain.
‘Don’t Be Late’ presents a comedic examination of personality conflicts, focusing on the dynamic between an extremely punctual individual and someone who operates on their own schedule. The contrasting characters create a humorous exploration of human behavior and social expectations.
The second work, ‘The Big Debate,’ transports audiences to a Scarborough guest house on Carnival Tuesday morning. Through the perspective of two maids going about their duties, the play captures the linguistic artistry of Speech Bands performers engaging in traditional verbal battles. The narrative cleverly incorporates the real-life controversy surrounding Sir Elton John’s scheduled performance at a Tobago jazz event, using this folk art form to examine the clash between religious leaders and event promoters.
Theodore brings decades of artistic expertise to these works, having begun her career as a dancer with the Repertory Dance Company under Astor Johnson before transitioning to acting in theater, film, and television. Her credits include performances in ‘One of our Sons is Missing,’ ‘Belle Fanto,’ and the popular local series ‘Westwood Park.’
The playwright has honed her craft through prestigious workshops including the Cropper Foundation Residential Writing Workshop and the Trinity-in-Trinidad Playwright Workshop with the late Tony Hall. Her literary accomplishments extend beyond theater with published short stories in ‘Trinidad Noir’ and ‘Sixteen,’ plus her own anthology ‘Told by the River.’
The monthly series, held on the first Wednesday of each month at 7 pm, continues its mission of providing playwrights with opportunities to hear their scripts performed aloud and receive valuable audience feedback. Admission to the January 7 event is free, offering public access to these cultural works.