Derricka Johnson delights on debut
BEFORE she got the part as Vanessa in The Ex-Baby Motha, Derricka Johnson’s awareness of broken homes in Jamaica was limited. Her grasp of a sensitive familial issue has, however, grown since debuting in that play on Mother’s Day.
Johnson told the Jamaica Observer that after a handful of appearances she has grown in the role as Hybrid Greenz’s (played by Calneth Reid) ‘outside’ woman. It has widened her knowledge of the lasting harm distance between parent and child can cause.
“It definitely has been an eye-opener for me. I have been given the knowledge of parent alienation and I am now educated enough in the topic to share insight, information, and to even give advice to persons around me,” she said.
The Ex-Baby Motha is written and directed by Andrea Wright, a trained guidance counsellor who also plays the lead role of Delcita. It was Wright who recruited Reid and Johnson for the comedy/drama which began a new run on December 18 at Vere Technical High School in Clarendon.
Johnson, who is in her early 20s, is from Maverley in St Andrew. While attending Pembroke Hall and Edith Dalton James high schools she discovered a love for the arts, particularly theatre and comedy.
“Everytime I talk, people would laugh at almost everything I say. I have been told that I am somewhat of a drama queen, and I would be told that I should do a YouTube channel or acting but I didn’t have the resources, experience or proper channel to venture into the industry,” she disclosed.
With Wright — a stalwart of roots theatre — as mentor, Johnson took her inaugural stage bow seven months ago at the Courtleigh Auditorium. Kai-Alana O’Connor, another newcomer, and the experienced Trudy Campbell are the other cast members of The Ex-Baby Motha.
Currently employed as a tracking associate, Johnson is enjoying her debut as an actress as it entails, “being able to be around an awesome group of people — both cast and crew — and having the opportunity to make people laugh and enjoy themselves”, she said.
On Boxing Day, The Ex-Baby Motha is scheduled for Courtleigh Auditorium in New Kingston.
