Dahlia Harris, Kadeem Wilson take centre stage at Kingston Creative
Award-winning Jamaican actors Dahlia Harris and Kadeem ‘Kenzic’ Wilson will take centre stage in a new type of lead role as they share the mastery of their craft and offer on-site mentorship as esteemed guest speakers at this month’s highly anticipated staging of Kingston Creative’s ‘Networking Meetup’.
The event, which takes place on Friday, April 28, at F&B Downtown from 5 - 8 pm, will see the two decorated theatre-industry leaders highlighting the importance and impact of the local theatre and the performing arts, as well as detailing their personal journeys in navigating the field as they also give career advice.
Wilson, who has won multiple international and local awards for his roles in various theatrical productions and was a recipient of the Prime Minister’s Youth Award for Excellence in Arts and Culture in 2014, said, “My intention is to motivate them to get started. Our industry needs young, talented entrepreneurial leaders with the skills, abilities and creative bravery to bring something new to the business. We’ve been locked away from the world for three years because of the COVID-19 pandemic and now we’re back to some normalcy. We should take this opportunity now to step forward and see ourselves shine.”
Likewise, Harris will share her vast experience in the theatre space and as chief executive officer of DMH Productions, which is her independent production company that specialises in providing employment for creative talent; exploring critical social issues through the arts; and advancing the global presence of Jamaican theatre, television and film content. The Caribbean Hall of Fame inductee will also provide insight from her extensive career in television and radio and as a director in film and theatre.
Speaking to the importance of industry newcomers making the right connections, Wilson, who also won ‘Best International Actor’ awards at both the LA Sun Film Festival and the Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival, said, “Networking is key to finding your tribe. There are plenty of places, people and resources out there to get you where you’re needed. Go out, communicate, collaborate – this is one of the best ways to be successful and achieve greatness together.”
Organised by Kingston Creative, the Jamaican arts nonprofit that works to develop a healthy creative ecosystem and build a vibrant art district in downtown Kingston, the ‘Networking Meetup’ functions as an inclusive space for creatives, cultural practitioners, academics and entrepreneurs to network and engage in discussions centred around new ideas, solutions and concerns for the cultural and creative industries. Guests will also have the opportunity to participate in open mic segments and perform short skits, poetry and music.
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