HE describes himself as an actor, dreamer, high achiever and Jesus Christ believer who is ambitious, driven, and passionate about whatever he does.

And so, it’s no surprise that Shayne Powell, 27, has followed his childhood dream of becoming an actor and seen it come to fruition.

“My dreams and aspirations as a child growing up were always to be the World’s Greatest Actor, and I’m sure St Jago High School can find some desks carved with SCP-WGA which means Shayne Christopher Powell — World’s Greatest Actor,” he shared.

“I went to Children’s Centre where I was first introduced to my passion as a craft with a teacher who is still a friend and colleague to this day, Ms Ann Marie Cephas. From there I went to St Catherine’s Prep, where my talent was praised and highly encouraged. I was known as the “Drama King” securing all the performance gigs for the school and representing them at events both on and off the campus. Ms Janet Muirhead and Claudia Byfield were responsible for fostering and honing my passion in these primary years of my life. Then I graduated to St Jago High School where I met the force that is Mrs Pauline Matthie, who changed my life forever. I am eternally indebted to her. She masterfully honed my talent and made me know that what I possess was career worthy,” Powell said.

Those formative years led Powell to attending the Edna Manley College School of Drama and being involved with Ashe Performing Arts Company, before he emigrated to New York in 2013 and attended the Stella Adler Studio of Acting. He has also received musical theatre training with Saycon Sengbloh.

His passion eventually led to him landing the lead role in 2016 Patrick Brown directed, two-hander, The Mountain Top by Katori Hall, which on Broadway starred Samuel L Jackson and Angela Bassett in an imagining of the final hours of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Powell’s other appearances have been in Marley where he played Malakai, directed by Kwame Kwei-Armah; Take the Lead where he played Rock, directed by Chris Gatelli; Hush Hush, where he played the interlocutor, directed by Barbara Montgomery; The Black That I Am, where he had the role of narrator at the Roy Arian Theatre in New York; Unity Valley, where he played Prince at the Malcolm X Park in Philadelphia.

He also played Tarique in That Word at the Andrew Freedman Home, NYC; Flambeaux, where he played Breeze at Theatre for the New City; Ruined, where he played Soldier at Edna Manley College drama school productions; Before It Hits Home where he played Wendell with Kingston on the Edge 2010 Productions; We Can’t Pay, We Won’t Pay, where he played Jeremy with Edna Manley College drama school productions as well as Pygamalion, where he acted in the ensemble with the same school, and Last Call where he played Joseph with 876 Productions.

Powell has also done a few commercial and television stints, acting in movies like Dope Fiend, Respect the Jux, popular local soap opera Royal Palm Estate and Night of the Indigo book trailer.

Powell’s next pursuit will be the début of his web series titled #InBedWithShayne, which will premier on his 28th birthday, March 31.

He also operates his own production company called Enyahs Productions, which represents his name inverted and, he explains, the only way to somewhat contain and give direction to his many ideas.

Moreover, he believes that with passion and discipline one can attain his grandest dreams and encourages youth to find their passion and pursue it.

“A life spent in constant and steady pursuit of one’s passion and happiness is a life well spent. Focus and keep the main thing, the main thing,” Powell said.