BOASTING a “new kind of theatre”, president of the Jamaica Youth Theatre Group (JYT) Randy McLaren says that their production Graffiti: From Walls To Stage will definitely be “a more interactive theatre experience” when he visited TEENage along with some other members of the group for a chat recently.

TEENage: Where did the concept for this production come from?

JYT: We came up with the concept when we went to the United Kingdom for a theatre festival called ‘Contacting the World International Theatre Exchange’ and collaborated with a Danish theatre group known as Radiator Factory. It came out of the cultural exchange between us, where we fused our different styles of theatre and created this piece.

TEENage: How did you end up in the United Kingdom at a theatre festival?

JYT: (Laughs). We had to submit a project or event we’re involved in that focused on highlighting or finding solutions to local and international issues affecting youth. We were very happy when we were chosen out of a 150 applicants worldwide to be in the final 12 groups that performed at the festival in July.

TEENage: Describe the experience.

JYT: LIFE CHANGING. Being able to interact with other theatre groups from around the world really opened up our eyes to new ideas and new ways of expressing ourselves through the medium of theatre. We realised that Jamaican youths are not that different from other youths in the world in terms of the challenges or issues that we face. When we watched productions from other countries like Iran, Denmark and the Philippines, it was really an unforgettable experience.

TEENage: What was it like representing Jamaica on that international stage?

JYT: We were well received. We got a lot of love from everybody. They were very impressed with our performance so much so that we were even invited to be interviewed on a local radio station in London. The funniest experience was at the opening ceremony of the festival; we had everybody doing the Thunder Clap and Gully Creepa! It was fun!

TEENage: What is the play about?

JYT: The play focuses on local and international issues affecting youth. These include the Armadale fire, the recent unrest in Tivoli Gardens and the war in the Middle East.

TEENage: What can patrons expect from the show?

JYT: A unique and interactive theatre experience. The show will start for you the minute you step out of your car and it is nothing like you’ve ever seen in a theatrical production. Youths need something more than parties, and we want to help to involve them in an event that is truly culturally uplifting.

The show will be held at the Philip Sherlock Centre for the Creative Arts (PSCCA) on the UWI Mona Campus and will run from September 10-12.