So, you’re a young person in the Virgin Islands and want to be a star – or maybe a director, producer or writer? Then this week’s St. Croix Center Stage Performing Arts Festival is the place to start.
The fest, set to run from July 6 through 8 on St. Croix, is aimed at pairing young people who have an interest in show business with a host of entertainment professionals. Through workshops, readings, music and more, John Amos, Virginia Capers, JaNet Dubois, Ted Lange, Matthew St. Patrick, Glynn Turman, Jeffrey Anderson Gunter, Sonia Sanchez, Cameron Mathison, Woodie King Jr., and Anthony Williams will give their insight into the entertainment industry to anyone interested.
St. Patrick, Mathison and Gunter were the first stars to arrive on St. Croix and were feted with a beach party in Frederiksted on Tuesday. The trio made it clear that while their task was to impart as much knowledge on young people as possible, hard work, dedication and studying were also key factors in achieving success in the entertainment industry.
"There is a lot of studying, you really have to read," St. Patrick, a cast member of the TV soap All My Children, told a throng of young fans. "It’s not about money, it’s about dedication."
Gunter, an actor/director who hails from Jamaica and now lives in Los Angeles, said the contingent of visiting entertainment professionals was in the territory to help. Just because some of the visitors are high-profile doesn’t mean they are unapproachable.
"Everyone here, we’re approachable," he said, "so come and talk to us."
Those interested in talking to the pros will have several chances to do just that. Starting on July 5 at the St. Croix Education Complex – where all the events will be held – poet Sonia Sanchez will read her selections and Music in Motion and the Karamu-Afi Dancers will perform.
On Thursday, a workshop including Capers, a Tony award-winning actress and singer; Dubois, an Emmy award-winning actress, singer and songwriter will discuss women in entertainment and performance skills for the stage and television.
That workshop will be followed by "Shades of Harlem," an Off-Broadway musical production that honors Virgin Islander Casper Holstein’s involvement in the Harlem renaissance.
"He was a very generous gentleman and we’re recognizing him for his contributions," said Madeline McCray, the organizer of the St. Croix Center Stage Performing Arts Festival.
The workshop on Friday will focus on creative writing and include a panel featuring King, a director and publisher; Gunter, Mathison and McCray, who is also an actress and writer. That night, the V.I. Rising Stars will perform "Caribbean City Chatters" and "The Southern Jezebel."
The final workshop on Saturday is aimed at channeling negative energy into art for young men from 9 to 19 years old. Panelists include Amos, who starred as the father in the TV sitcom "Good Times;" Turman, a producer; Williams, a producer; John Harris, technical director; King and St. Patrick. That night, the guest celebrities will perform in a production honoring the Virgin Islands’ historic leaders.
Tickets to all four days of the festival are $75. A three-day pass to the workshops are $25 or $10 per session. Individual tickets for the other productions are also available. For more information call 773-7117 or 772-0712.
