A career on the stage was something Stede Flash eyed since childhood when he performed in Christmas plays at church. That interest in theatre grew during his years at Excelsior High School where he was involved in the drama club.

Known as Jookie Jam, he realised his dream of becoming an actor in 1989 when he appeared in Maama Man, a play produced by Ralph Holness and written by Paul O Beale. Based in New York City, he celebrates his 35th year in theatre by starring in The Real Wife with Andrea “Delcita” Wright on June 30 at Mary Louis Academy in Queens.

The evening will also have an awards segment where Wright’s 30 years on stage is also being recognised.

“I can remember when I just got started I always wanted to share the stage with some of the great actors, which I did. Now, with Delcita, doing our fourth production, it’s an amazing experience and joy,” Jookie Jam told Observer Online.

He and Wright previously performed together in Money Worries, The Plumber and The Driva. Holness and Beale, who died in 2013 and 2019, respectively, were instrumental in nurturing their careers in what is popularly known as roots theatre.

Although it was his first professional play, Maama Man was a turning point for Jookie Jam, who is from Papine in St Andrew.

“My fondest memories of Maama Man is seeing the audience screaming and running out of their seats, just laughing,” he recalled.

Last year, Jookie Jam was cast in Tek Weh Yuhself, a comedy that also starred Deon Silvera. It played in several states on the US east coast.

Written by Wright, The Real Wife opened May 5 at Courtleigh Auditorium in Kingston.

Howard Campbell