PLAYWRIGHT Dahlia Harris is seeking to create opportunities for women who may want enter theatre through the inaugural staging of Jamaica Women in Theatre Festival scheduled for The Blue Room on 8 Haining Road in St Andrew from March 13 – 19.

According to Harris, the festival — slated to start at 6:00 pm daily — will feature a series of sessions about the industry while showcasing work by women in theatre. There is no cost to attend.

“We’re dealing with stage craft, lighting and all of the aspects that go into creating a good production. I believe as women we need to come together and use our mobile resources. I think this inaugural year people are excited that we are doing it and are happy for the opportunity,” she told the Jamaica Observer.

She said the idea was conceptualised after speaking at the Jamaica Business Development Corporation’s Global Entrepreneurship Week last year.

Panel discussions will be held on the first three days and includes moderator Dr Deborah Hickling and panellists Yaneek Page (entrepreneur), Harold Davis (musician), Coleen Lewis (stage producer), and Lenford Salmon (producer).

“On the first day we will be discussing the business of theatre. Just having the creative skills alone won’t make it. A lot of plays come out but they don’t last, so it is important to understand how to make it in the industry,” she said.

“The second day we will be focusing on stage craft. We have women who are light designers, sound designers and set designers, which show the importance of stage craft in stage production. We want to look at how you can use these elements to enhance your production. On the third day we will be looking at directing from a female’s perspective, and the challenges and approaches that are associated with it. We will also be having Yvonne Brewster, who is an established theatre producer in London and Jamaica,” she continued.

The festival continues with Throwback Thursday, which will showcase films from last year and this year. This will feature only female actors. The Writers will take the spotlight on Friday and will feature scripts written by women, including: Amba Chevannes, Dorothy Cunningham, Suzanne Beadle, Tanya Batson-Savage, and Maya Wilkinson.

The Directors will be showcased on Saturday. The festival is slated to end on Sunday with writer Sylvia Wynter scheduled to be honoured. Posthumous honours will also be bestowed on late Una Marson and folklorist Lousie “Miss Lou” Bennett-Coverly.

Wynter, who was born in Cuba in 1928, has written books including The Hills of Hebron and No Humans Involved.

Marson was a writer, poet, and produced plays and programmes for the British Broadcasting Corporation. She died in Kingston on May 6, 1956.

Cultural icon Miss Lou was a poet, folklorist, writer, and educator. She died in Toronto, Canada, on July 26, 2006.

“Even though most people of today’s generation may not know Sylvia and Una, they are accomplished writers in their own right, so we want to highlight these achievers,” said Harris.

Multiple Actor Boy Award winner Harris is known for plays including God’s Way, Judgement, Thicker Than Water andCountry Wedding.

She is encouraging everyone to attend.

“We want to help students, teachers, and practitioners in theatre, and even women who are not practising. The festival is about development. Come and get a little knowledge about the industry.”