It is always a refreshing feeling when you have an inspirational encounter. You are reminded that you can do great things and make your dreams a reality. Inspiration can be drawn from almost anything. For some of us, our inspiration comes from art. We get excited by the words penned by a writer, watching an excellently directed play or film or seeing the world through the brush strokes of a painter. The artist therefore becomes our source of inspiration; but do we ever wonder what inspires the artist, what is it that fuels their creative genius? When did it all begin?
Today we have been favoured with the opportunity to pick the brain of one of Jamaica’s young female artists; Maya Wilkinson. You may be familiar with one of 2017’s popular stage plays, Heist. This was cleverly written and brilliantly directed by Maya Wilkinson. The play, which debuted during the summer, was arguably historic as it was an all male cast directed by a female. For Wilkinson, this was familiar territory. As we ‘Buzzzed’ about her childhood, she recalled playtime as her informal introduction to theatre. “I remember rounding up my neighbours, who were all boys, to do plays and I would direct them. I was very excited to direct Heist as it was a reminder of that time. I think my childhood experience was an indication to what would eventually happen.”
Image: Cesar Buelto
Heist, which was staged at The Phillip Sherlock Centre for the Creative Arts, was sold out almost every night during its inaugural staging. It was remounted in September and was sold out each night. Wilkinson notes this as a success and speaks of the overall experience with joy. For the young director, the cast was like a brotherhood and family. She enjoyed directing and producing the show and is excited about future possibilities. There are plans for a remount and staging in locations outside of Kingston before summer, and eventually on the international scene.
For the twenty- eight year-old writer, director and multimedia artist love for the performing arts started during her years at Montego Bay High School. “My introduction to drama in high school made me realise I could do it as more than just a club or extracurricular activity. I began to see it as something could pursue.” She would later move on to The University of the West Indies where she excelled as a Caribbean Media and Communication, CARIMAC, student. Her knowledge as a student of CARIMAC has aided her as a theatre practitioner. She has used multimedia as part of her creative process, which has arguably added to the reshaping of Jamaican theatre.
While at UWI, Wilkinson was also involved in the University Dramatic Arts Society, the University Dance Society, and was a Junior Technical staff member at The Phillip Sherlock Centre for the Creative Arts. It was during this time that she acted in her last stage play, ‘Apostrophe’ with the Quilt Performing Arts Company. “Quilt has been one of the most influential factors on my theatre journey.” Wilkinson highlighted the fact that they are presently working on a remount of a show dubbed ‘Release,’ which will feature a few of her written works.
To Read More: Purchase your copy of Volume 9 #6 January-February 2018
Share this post:
It is always a refreshing feeling when you have an inspirational encounter. You are reminded that you can do great things and make your dreams a reality. Inspiration can be drawn from almost anything. For some of us, our inspiration comes from art. We get excited by the words penned by a writer, watching an excellently directed play or film or seeing the world through the brush strokes of a painter. The artist therefore becomes our source of inspiration; but do we ever wonder what inspires the artist, what is it that fuels their creative genius? When did it all begin?
Today we have been favoured with the opportunity to pick the brain of one of Jamaica’s young female artists; Maya Wilkinson. You may be familiar with one of 2017’s popular stage plays, Heist. This was cleverly written and brilliantly directed by Maya Wilkinson. The play, which debuted during the summer, was arguably historic as it was an all male cast directed by a female. For Wilkinson, this was familiar territory. As we ‘Buzzzed’ about her childhood, she recalled playtime as her informal introduction to theatre. “I remember rounding up my neighbours, who were all boys, to do plays and I would direct them. I was very excited to direct Heist as it was a reminder of that time. I think my childhood experience was an indication to what would eventually happen.”
Heist, which was staged at The Phillip Sherlock Centre for the Creative Arts, was sold out almost every night during its inaugural staging. It was remounted in September and was sold out each night. Wilkinson notes this as a success and speaks of the overall experience with joy. For the young director, the cast was like a brotherhood and family. She enjoyed directing and producing the show and is excited about future possibilities. There are plans for a remount and staging in locations outside of Kingston before summer, and eventually on the international scene.
For the twenty- eight year-old writer, director and multimedia artist love for the performing arts started during her years at Montego Bay High School. “My introduction to drama in high school made me realise I could do it as more than just a club or extracurricular activity. I began to see it as something could pursue.” She would later move on to The University of the West Indies where she excelled as a Caribbean Media and Communication, CARIMAC, student. Her knowledge as a student of CARIMAC has aided her as a theatre practitioner. She has used multimedia as part of her creative process, which has arguably added to the reshaping of Jamaican theatre.
While at UWI, Wilkinson was also involved in the University Dramatic Arts Society, the University Dance Society, and was a Junior Technical staff member at The Phillip Sherlock Centre for the Creative Arts. It was during this time that she acted in her last stage play, ‘Apostrophe’ with the Quilt Performing Arts Company. “Quilt has been one of the most influential factors on my theatre journey.” Wilkinson highlighted the fact that they are presently working on a remount of a show dubbed ‘Release,’ which will feature a few of her written works.
To Read More: Purchase your copy of Volume 9 #6 January-February 2018
Share this post: