Kingston, Jamaica, November 14, 2024 – For the first time since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) is returning to a face-to-face format for its training and development workshops. These workshops, which will focus on Dance, Speech, Drama, Music, and Traditional Folk Forms, are designed to prepare participants for the 2025 season of the Festival of the Performing Arts.
Spanning November 14 through December 6, these island-wide workshops aim to strengthen the abilities of both emerging and seasoned performers. They also foster collaboration and deepen participants' connection to Jamaica's rich cultural heritage.
The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment, and Sport, Honourable Olivia Grange, expressed excitement about the return to in-person workshops, which will help participants prepare for the annual performing arts competitions. “It is truly exciting for the JCDC to be back in the field like this. The past four years have been challenging, and although online workshops allow us to reach our participants, they limit our ability to effectively demonstrate skills and give the necessary feedback. This affects the quality of entries, as performers do not fully grasp techniques online. With our return to face-to-face instruction, we are now able to provide hands-on learning experiences and direct mentorship, which are invaluable in developing performance skills. I encourage all prospective performers to join these workshops.”
“We have put together a strong cadre of facilitators and resource personnel who posses a wealth of knowledge in the specific areas. So come with your questions, comments, queries and concerns, whether you are a first-time entrant or a seasoned performer, these workshops are for everyone,” she stated.
This year’s workshops will focus on key areas aimed at supporting the holistic development of participants, while also providing clear guidance on registration and other aspects of the competition process. The sessions will explore techniques in preparation and performance delivery, helping participants refine their skills and enhance stage presence.
Mr. Lenford Salmon, Executive Director at the JCDC, emphasized the broad value of these workshops, stating, "The workshops offer so much more than just competition preparation; they foster the holistic development of creatives. Dancers, for instance, will engage with principles of movement and stage awareness, while those in the speech workshops will develop skills in voice projection and stage presence, beneficial whether performing on stage or in front of a camera. There is so much for our participants to learn in all areas of the performing arts.”
One of the most anticipated workshops is the Traditional Folk Forms Workshop. Over the years, there has been growing concern about preserving Jamaica's traditional folk forms, and the JCDC continues to play its part by focusing on areas such as Quadrille, Brukins, and Jonkonnu—social and ceremonial dances that hold deep cultural significance. Salmon emphasized that this training is crucial to the JCDC's mission of preserving Jamaica's cultural heritage.
“We are particularly excited about the return of the ‘trad folk’ workshops. This is very important to us at the JCDC as it helps us to fulfil our mandate to preserve this aspect of Jamaica’s cultural heritage. Participants will be exposed to is the safe practice of these forms and respect for their cultural context and movement requirements,” Salmon continued.
Persons interested in participating in these workshops are encouraged to contact JCDC Offices island-wide or log on to the JCDC website at www.jcdc.gov.jm for the schedule of workshops and other relevant details.
