KINGSTON, Jamaica — For ‘umpteen’ years Dahlia Harris has been on national television as an evening time sports presenter, a morning show host, and numerous other spots in between. Her face has become a fixture. After all, we all know her. Or so we think.

Even as we watch the Wolmer’s Girls’ School graduate and former Festival Queen (she won the title in 1990 representing St Catherine) on the silver screen, there are things happening behind the scenes that we would never guess.

Harris was most of the times barefooted while reading Prime Time Sports on television. It just made her more comfortable, she says.

Running parallel with her twenty-odd-years as a television host and sportscaster, Harris also has a career in theatre and drama — writing and producing plays, as well as acting.

A two-time Actor Boy awardee for her roles in Ras Noah and the Hawk, and Concubine, Harris says it’s harder for her to remember the lines of her own plays than when she’s acting in someone else’s work.

She has starred in major hits including Puppy Love, Jamaica 2 Rahtid, Oliver’s Posse, Cindyrelisha & the DJ Prince, Me and Mi Chapsie, Country Duppy, Oliver & The Genie, Kiss Me Neck, Hurricane Lovers, and Bay Vibez.

Total count puts Harris as appearing in 24 plays, producing seven, directing six and writing five. Even so, her association with television is far-reaching: “I can’t write with music on but can’t without the television,” she says.

Meanwhile at home, Harris confesses to not being able to bake a cake, but “I’m a wizard at making potato pudding”.

Pursuing a Masters of Philosophy in English at the University of West Indies, and with her exploits in the theatre, Harris has a full plate. So what about starting a family? Forget that, you’ll never get her to speak much on the topic.