By Avia Ustanny, Outlook Writer
Ricardo Makyn Photo
TODAY THE light is dim in Marjorie's eyes, but soon they brighten when the exhausted woman recounts a recent victory which was of historic proportions.
Marjorie Scott-Anderson, creator of the Song Writers' Boot Camp and the organiser who recently took 25 Jamaicans to participate in the Performing Arts Olympics held in Burbank, California, is tired, but filled with satisfaction.
"The results were phenomenal," she said.
Of the 25 entrants in the competition, all but one secured medals, competing with talent from all over the world. Jamaica also received a plaque for having the third largest number of entries behind South Africa and Azerbaijan.
"Why did I take it on?" she questions herself with an air of puzzlement.
In October 2003, she was asked by the event's organiser to take on the challenge three times, and each time she said no. But, on the fourth occasion she succumbed.
The early reasons for going ahead with the project elude her and she admits to being drained from the effort of funding a $12 million project, much of it from her own meagre pocket.
But, energy re-enters her eyes when she speaks of what young Jamaican singers, actors, models, dancers and others accomplished in the 2004 competition.
Closing night in Burbank, California, was a prolonged moment of sweet triumph, as there were many who had casts doubts on the ability of local Jamaicans to screen and audition talent of international quality.
What it took to do the auditions and then pull together the resources to take the young Jamaicans abroad is the tale that will quickly explain why the coordinator is a shadow of her usually energetic self.
Disappointed by the response of many companies, threatened with death over registration fees and visa problems, and plunging much of her own money into making the event a success, were but some of the challenges Scott-Anderson had to face.
Several members of the team were turned down for visas with remarks such as "Sorry, it's that time of the year again, sorry, I can't grant you a visa." Some having worked in the US before and returned prior to their visas expiring.
Cellular phones also became another challenge as most of the over 90 persons passing the islandwide auditions only had cellphones, thus making communications expensive.
And, in addition to organising Jamaica, she had the rest of the Caribbean (excepting Haiti). The photocopying and other paperwork was also quite expensive.
There was also "extreme disappointment" with the level of support from both private and public sectors, and those who promised did not deliver.
Working without pay
Then, there were the friends who thought that she was mad, especially when they found out that she was working without pay. Many, however, ended up doing what they could to help, too.
"I am a professional volunteer," Scott- Anderson explains with a weak grin.
Marjorie is also used to persevering in the face of adversity and disappointments. In 1992, the graduate of Westwood High School and Durham College lost her job in Washington DC with the Eastern Caribbean Investment Promotions company because of a back injury.
Failing to receive compensation and facing the possibility of life in a wheelchair, she decided to leave the United States and return home to Jamaica which she did, saying goodbye to her boyfriend in New York. "I am giving up on everything," she told him.
Three months later she discovered she was pregnant by the man she had just left. But as it does from time to time, life delivered to her an unexpected win.
One month after the baby was born, the child's father, Roy Anderson, also returned home. He is now her husband.
An early decision to stay home for at least three years with her daughter was jettisoned when she was asked to work with the Bob Marley Foundation and then Tuff Gong Studios.
Later, determined to address some of the training needs in the entertainment industry, she formed her own event planning company and started the Song Writers Boot Camp. Her penchant for volunteerism, however, has put paid to financial success. Sometimes she tires, she says, of being unable to spend a dollar without worrying about it.
It is a good thing, she admits, that the attorney-at-law has stood by her and remains so understanding. During the recent competition, "everything I needed, he would find for me," she recalls.
Now, although her own event planning company is suffering, she fully intends to go to California next year again, even though there are some things she would want to change.
She will persevere, she says, as, "Jamaica needs to use these performing arts Olympics to place ourselves more securely on the entertainment map and with support we can. Hollywood is using our music and culture and we need to provide them with our people."
PAYER
Jamaica, she adds, could produce a Bob Marley every week if we really wanted to. But, much help is needed in the area of performance training, management and marketing. She has created PAYER, a planning and entertainment company for youth, with this in mind.
In the meantime, Marjorie recuperates and pays attention to her neglected daughter and only child, Tahira. Having experienced five miscarriages, Tahira is the apple of her mother's eyes. There are no words to describe, she says, her husband's love and support. The whole affair has also led her to a deeper understanding of her Christian fundamentalism, too, as it is quite clear to her that God is guiding her life.
Relaxing at home recently, she said, "I think my creative energy is returning. I started painting yesterday. I painted one of my planters. That's a good sign."
She is preparing herself to take on another marathon effort, again.
"We are empowering youth through the performing arts. We have already proved ourselves," she said.
