Deanne Allgrove (left), Nadean Rawlins (centre) and Makeda Solomon in 'Vagina Monologues', held at the Philip Sherlock Centre for the Creative Arts, UWI, Mona campus, on Tuesday, March 7, 2006. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

André Jebbinson, Staff Reporter

There is just something about Makeda Solomon, whether it be her exquisite British accent, her on-stage flair or her dark chocolate skin, but Jamaica has its eyes on her.

When the actress left her birthplace in England for Jamaica, she had the intention of staying only five years to oversee the building of her parents' house, who were returning from England.

Five years quickly turned into 12 years and she is yet to return to England. Instead, she is relishing her theatre moments and the "amazing power the medium has to inform the emotions of and spark changes in the thinking of its audiences".

Solomon may be blazing the stage in Jamaica, but her invlovement began years before in a local community theatre group in England called The Open Door Theatre Company. According to Solomon, the company was a black troupe that used plays and dramaworkshops to tackle community issues and highlight history.

"My parents will tell you I have been acting from birth, but in the context of theatre, my real amateur career started some 23 years ago," Solomon stated.

Her gravitation to Jamaican theatre was as natural as her talent.

Solomon's first Jamaican theatre experience was with writing and directing Full Free, commissioned for the Emancipation Day celebrations in 1997. However, she considers her breakout role as that of Lena in the one woman play, Who Will Sing For Lena? She received her second Actor Boy award for the role in 2006. She had previously won Best Actress in 2004 for What The Hell Is Happening To Us Dear?

"I will never forget the swell of emotions and excitement upon winning my first Actor Boy award for 'Nicey' in Basil Dawkins' What The Hell Is Happening To Us Dear? Seems I need to go for plays with a question mark in their titles," Solomon joked.

Solomon is not a full-time actress, but will soon be spending more time doing drama. Having been a mother for five years, and along with the rigors of managing the Montego Bay office of NEM Insurance Company and lecturing part-time for the College of Insurance & Professional Studies, she has decided to give up the corporate world for a while.

Recurring dream

Solomon

"I have now chosen to restructure my life to enjoy and apply more quality time to motherhood ... At the same time realise my recurring dream of operating an after-school drama club in Montego Bay," Solomon said.

The Light Movements Drama Club will be launched from a six week summer arts camp (July/August) which will feature both drama and fine-art workshops. A grand staged performance and a children's art exhibition will be the finale.

She is not yet married but says she has the part planned out.

"Mr. Solomon has eluded me to date. Being married is on the cards in this lifetime though, so afterthe life restructuring phase one, I will place 'him' on my 'visualisation board' for phase two," she said.