JCDC Stages Workshop/Seminar in St. James

MONTEGO BAY — Approximately 75 teachers and community leaders from western Jamaica are participating in a Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) four-day residential sensitization workshop and seminar, at the Teamwork Training Centre, Torado Heights, Coral Gardens, St. James, November 22 to 25.

The event is aimed at heightening their awareness, and updating them on new developments for the performing arts syllabus for the 2012 Festival.

According to JCDC Cultural Organizer for St. James, Natalie Morris, based on feedback, and participant’s suggestions from previous competitions, the syllabus is changed every three years. She explained that the workshop and seminar forms part of the preparations, in terms of the content for the Jamaica 50 festival celebrations next year.

"This is the time when the teachers are preparing the entries (for the next festival competition), so we are trying our best to have the teachers focus on certain content," she stated.

“What we can do is get them to incorporate into their preparations, activities that will be exciting, and will also reflect that we are celebrating Jamaica's 50th year of independence,” she noted.

She said that during the workshop and seminar, training will take place in areas such as; music, speech, dance, drama and traditional folk forms, with each participant exposed to approximately 30 hours per subject. Additionally, participants will be given a certificate on completion of the training.

The deadline for entries for the 2012 Jamaica 50 Performing Arts festival will be the end of January 2012, while auditioning will begin in March. Ms. Morris appealed to Corporate Jamaica for support, through sponsorship, for the parish events.

By Bryan Miller, JIS Reporter