Jamaican dancer Jermaine Rowe. - Contributed

Driven by his passion for the performing arts, Jermaine Rowe left Jamaica in May 2004 to pursue an independent study programme at the Alvin Ailey School of Dance in New York. Rowe, however, was working off sheer faith as he revealed, "I arrived in New York with US$50, a wish and a prayer."

Today, he not only boasts a good dance education, but invaluable experience. He is a member of the West End cast in Disney's The Lion King at Lyceum Theatre in London, England. His current role in the show is a swing.

Versatile role

In a telephone conversation while on vacation in Jamaica recently, Rowe explained that, as a swing, his task is to know all the roles of the entire ensemble - singers, actors and dancers - 12 roles in total. And he must be able to perform any of these roles on short notice.

He described his first rehearsal of The Lion King as "unreal and powerful". The magnitude of the experience still seems to resonate with him. He was delirious with excitement as he described the sights and sounds.

But despite being multitalented and having intensive training and exposure in the performing arts, he initially found the role challenging, but fun. "There was so much to learn: South African dialect, playing the same roles several times, the changing of the cast and daily rehearsals," said Rowe.

Now the whole process has become second nature. One of the ways he was able to achieve this confidence is through the creation of a swing book. This meant he created a book, using the script with all the blockings (the movement and placement of the actors onstage in context of the script and space) of each actor - similar to a stage manager's book, but not as detailed.

Rowe's most memorable Lion King-related experience occurred at a rehearsal for the Royal Variety Show, a performance for the Royal Family. To his amazement, the presence of Lion King's cast generated excitement among celebrities such as Rihanna and pop group Pussy Cat Dolls, who were also performing on the show.

His employment to Disney's Lion King has opened doors for him to meet performers whom he had only seen on the screen or heard of, along with actors of different nationality, some of whom are also members of the cast of Lion King.

JOURNEY

Rowe's journey from Kingston to New York to London is quite interesting, and included many sacrifices.

"I survived on cup noodles; cup noodles became my best friend," he said rather buoyantly of his days at the Alvin Ailey School of Dance. Funds were limited as he was unable to get an off-campus job because he was an international student. His wish and prayer were answered when he accompanied a friend to the Baychester Youth Council in the Bronx, New York. He noticed that the director, Earnestine Russell, who has Jamaican connection, was working on a newsletter. He offered to assist her and this led to Rowe helping with the public relations. And later, he started a performing arts programme at the centre.

These opportunities resulted in him not only utilising his journalistic skills, being a graduate of the University of the West Indies with a degree in journalism, but provided a scholarship that helped him to complete his studies.

"You are at the right point when things begin to work for you," Rowe said philosophically.

Upon completion of his studies at the Alvin Ailey School of Dance in 2006, the St Catherine High School graduate was awarded a full scholarship to the Dance Theatre of Harlem. A year later, he answered an advertisement in Jamaica requesting auditions for roles in Disney's The Lion King. This meant leaving familiar faces and places.

"There were interesting struggles. When I moved from Jamaica to New York, it was a move to school, but the move to London was to work," he said.

Accommodation needs

First, he had to satisfy the need for accommodation and as a new cast member he had "to prove that you are good".

This talented Jamaican entered the world of the performing arts through music. He has won several awards from the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission. So it is no surprise that one of his plans for the future is to write songs. He also would like to work with a show from its inception, this way he can develop his own character instead of playing one created by someone else.

Rowe described himself as a "natural extrovert" and credited this personal character trait as one of the contributing factors to his current success. And, his advice to young people is: "Education is important; talent is amazing but get certified or trained."

'I arrived in New York with US$50, a wish and a prayer.'

'Education is important; talent is amazing but get certified or trained.'

- Rowe