Nashauna Drummond, Staff Reporter
Left: Sistren performing Lady Chance and The Butterfly. Right: The charred remains of Sistren Theatre Collective headquarters that was destroyed by fire in 2004.
THOUGH THE devastating fire of 2004 destroyed their headquarters at Kensington Crescent and 27 years of history, their spirit and dreams remain unscorched. Sistren Theatre Collective is still focused on its mission and vision. Started in 1977 by 13 working class women as a cultural organisation, they explored and analysed the social and political issues that affect women in Jamaica.
They exposed the taboo through theatre techniques. Through their street-side performances and formal productions, they get men, women and children to become aware of these issues presented in drama, poetry, dance, music, traditional ring games. They use the theatre as a tool to educate and advocate for policy change on these issues performing in schools, churches, communities and even in prisons.
Flair caught up with them at their temporary headquarters at 7 Denehurst Avenue. Ladies from Fletchers Land and Hannah Town sat in a circle speaking with James Hodgson from The United Church of Canada, programme coordinator for Caribbean and Columbia.
EXPERIENCES
These women defied the stereotype of the communities they are from. They are exposed, informed and now have a positive influence in their lives. One of the members, Patricia McCrae from Hannah Town, has been involved with the group for two years. She spoke of how she has benefited from Sistren, "It help you to know different set of people and places, interact with each other and not keep malice."
The women from these volatile communities, some of those whom were once very shy, are now more timid because of their participation in the various drama productions put on by Sistren. They note that after the performance they are seen as celebrities in their communities and hailed as they walk along the streets.
Sonia Britton said that her involvement in Sistren has helped to 'calm' her. She explained that she was very short tempered but she's much calmer now.
"I also learn how to cope with my children, talk out the issues." She notes that her son who was once difficult to deal with now has seven distinctions and is now attending the University of the West Indies (UWI).
Sistren unites women from the communities of Hannah Town, Fletchers Land, Barbican and Grant's Pen who may under normal circumstances be warring fractions.
