It’s been almost 30 years since Stede Flash made his first appearance in theatre, his declared love.

But he notes that he knows a good script when he sees one.

So, with that type of experience, when fellow stage veteran Pablo Hoilett told him about a romantic comedy titled Tek Weh Yuhself, it piqued his interest.

The play, written by London-based Jamaican Devon Morgan, also stars Deon Silvera, known popularly stage work and appearances in local series such as Oliver at Large.

It opens March 10 at Hostos Community College in The Bronx, New York.

While the script appealed to him, Flash (known in theatre circles as Jookie Jam — one of his earlier stage characters) said he was also drawn to its charity aspect. It is promoted by Having PURPOSE, a non-profit organisation that assists schools in Jamaica and the needy in Africa.

“When Pablo Hoilett asked me if I wanted to be a part of this project, without any hesitation I said, ‘Yes, sure! Charity work was always on my to-do list, l love to give back,” said Flash.

“I also did some giving back in 2021, some tablets to schools. At that time, it was me and [fellow actor] Bad Boy Trevor,” he continued.

In Tek Weh Yuhself, Flash plays Jonathan, whom he describes as “very naive of certain things around his love life”. It reunites him with Silvera, who he worked alongside in roots plays such as Bupsie and Bashment Granny 2.

Kathy Grant, Leon Parkins and Dainty Bellenfantie complete the cast.

Flash hails from the Papine (Tavern) area in St Andrew and attended Excelsior High School. He has no formal training as an actor, learning the ropes from actor Ronald Goshop and producer Ralph Holness, the godfather of roots theatre.

In the 1990s, Flash starred in numerous roots fare including Money Worries, which were produced by Holness who died in 2013.

“Working with Ralph was one of my greatest times. We would take the same play three times to the same parish and the audience couldn’t get enough,” he recalled. “It was like we were working with a don at that time.”

Proceeds from the two shows at Hostos Community College — the other takes place on March 11 — will cover shipping costs for 300 desks and chairs to a HEART/NSTA Trust educational programme Having PURPOSE supports in St Catherine.

Headquartered in New York, the organisation was founded by Jamaican Christeen Francis in 2015. It has donated digital devices and helped computer labs at many schools including Cornwall College, Clarendon College, Munro College, Central High School and Denbigh Primary School.