Ferncourt Wins Performing Arts Festival

Ferncourt High School in Claremont, St. Ann, has emerged the winner in the Ocho Rios Branch Library Performing Arts Sub-Committee Schools Performing Arts Festival held recently at the St. Ann’s Bay Anglican Church Hall, in the parish.
Of the schools which participated in the competition Ferncourt High earned 94 points, followed by William Knibb with 69 points while Muschette accumulated 66 points, performing the drama pieces titled: ‘Look at the Heart’; ‘Return to Paradise’; and ‘Dollar Run Things’, respectively.
For its performance, Ferncourt walked away with the Victoria Mutual Building Society (VMBS) trophy, a gift incentive of $6,000, and a certificate of participation; while William Knibb copped $3,000 and a certificate of participation; and Muchette received a gift certificate of $1,000 and a certificate of participation.
Karla Smith, drama co-ordinator at Ferncourt, received prizes for the best original script and the best director, while Roxanne Cunningham and Gawayne James from the same institution, were awarded for being best actress and the best actor, respectively.
Commending the winners for their performances, Norma Lara, Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo) and Team Jamaica trainer, who served as a judge, said the pieces were delightful and interesting, demonstrating good timing, distinct characters, “and lots of talent”.
She, however, pointed out that in order to improve, the schools should place greater emphasis on costuming, beginnings and endings, cues, body language, noise within breaks, “and watch out for the dead ends, be as believable as possible, and stay within your character”.
Expressing thanks to the participants for their hard work and dedication in helping to keep the whole business of the performing arts alive, Co-Chairman for the Committee, Barbara Zampelli, also commended the teachers, who were not full time drama teachers, for their valuable input.
While the main sponsor for the competition is VMBS, other sponsors include the Culture, Health, Arts, Sports & Education Fund (CHASE), Starfish Hotel, Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), Evita’s Italian Restaurant, Dolphin Cove, Franklyn D Resort, and Beaches Grande Sport.
The aim of the performing arts sub-committee is to foster the arts in the parishes of St. Ann, St. Mary and Trelawny, and the Performing Arts Festival is intended to provide talented students with an outlet to further develop their skills.