Jamaica can sometimes be eventful, and there’s nary a person you’ll find who doesn’t have a story to tell.

Debra Ehrhardt describes her life in Jamaica as being tumultuous, not to mention unpredictable. Was it the reality of the political system at the time… or simply an alcoholic father that made her want to just get away from it all?

As a child, she often dreamed of going to America. She eventually realised those dreams, leaving the island in the late ’70s. What began as the youthful fantasy of going to Disneyland matured into a desire for a better life, greater opportunities and “spreading” her wings.

Ehrhardt began life in the US as a nursing student at the University of Michigan, after being instructed by her mother to get a “real job”. As it turns out, her mother gave her good advice, as she was able to put herself through theatre school, to pursue her real passion — writing and acting.

The road to success was not an easy one, what with multiracial features and a strong Jamaican accent; she didn’t seem to fit in. She shared with SO that “most of the roles for actresses in America are written for American stereotypes, and what people are used to seeing and hearing, because that’s what they can relate to. It surprises them when they hear a Jamaican accent come out of me because they can’t put me in a box. I mean, there are not too many roles in the US that call for a Jamaican girl with a strong Jamaican accent.”

She continued, “When I graduated theatre school in New York, I was told I wouldn’t get a job with my Jamaican accent. I was advised to take speech classes to sound American. I decided that I didn’t want to change anything that I thought made me unique, so I put pen to paper and started writing plays for myself to perform in.” The way she saw it, if they weren’t going to give her work, she would create it for herself.

Ehrhardt’s storytelling began in Kingston, under a big mango tree, from as early as age seven, to entertain herself and her friends. It’s a talent which she will tell you she inherited from “the greatest storyteller of all” — her mother. She received such an overwhelming response, she eventually started making up her own stories.

Today, the accomplished actress and playwright has under her belt several nominations for NAACP Theatre Awards, a play purchased as a situation comedy by Fox, plus in 2007 a Proclamation from the City of New York for her latest production, Jamaica, Farewell, for her “outstanding contribution to the Jamaican community”.

Jamaica, Farewell is Ehrhardt’s latest effort, based on her momentous move to America. According to the actress, the one-woman show is about 90 per cent true, with just a “likkle” embellishment. Critics have raved about the production, with The Harder They Come director, the late Perry Henzell having said, “Debra Ehrhardt held the audience spellbound for one-and-a-half hours without a hitch… Some serious talents involved here.”

And it must be true, since it’s been seen by Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson, who by the way, optioned the play to become a feature film (now in the works).

It wouldn’t be entirely correct to say she’s living the American Dream. In reality, Ehrhardt is living her own dream, sharing, “… living in America has certainly afforded me many opportunities that wouldn’t have presented themselves to me had I stayed in Jamaica. Although it still rains in America, I feel very blessed and grateful every single day. For me, a dream has definitely been realised.”

Though often busy, the talented aficionado is happily married, making time for everything in her life: “Being Jamaican makes me capable of juggling many jobs at one time, but it’s not easy. You have to be determined, dedicated and never take your eye off the goal. Perseverance is key. You also have to be able to handle rejection and realise that 100 no’s don’t mean ‘nuttin’ because all you need is ONE yes.”

Ehrhardt has come full circle, bringing Jamaica, Farewell (playing August 11-15 at Theatre Place) to Kingston, her hometown and the place where her dreams first started.

“We should never forget where we came from and I hope that by sharing my stories we can feel more connected with each other. I also hope our Jamaican theatre-goers will enjoy an entertaining evening and that they will be inspired to dream big and never lose hope.”