The Department of Education, Innovation, and Gender Relations and the Theatre Arts Schools Association (TASA) are working closely together to develop theatre arts on the island.

Members of the Theatre Arts Schools Association met recently with the Deputy Chief Education Officer, Ruffina Charles, in an effort to foster a closer relationship and chart the way forward for theatre arts in schools.

Ms. Charles said the formation of the association is timely and expressed the hope that theatre arts will be introduced to students at an early age.

“I am hoping that you will get the early graders involved so as they move onto the higher grades, we have students who are more skilled and have better skills. No longer are we developing them just for the Saint Lucian market, we have to think internationally. We have students in Saint Lucia with talents just like anywhere else, and it is just a matter of fostering and developing it.”

The number of students selecting theatre arts for CXC has increased significantly over the last few years. Curriculum Officer for Theatre Arts, Kentilla Louis, said this is as a result of work done to develop theatre arts in schools.

“We recognize the subject has been growing in popularity and the classes are getting bigger. Be it the cultural part of it, or be it the performance part of it, there is a connection with the students,” Ms. Louis said. “How can we make sure that we give them the best instruction, the best opportunities, and the best experiences? It can only be done as a collaborative effort.”

Meanwhile, President of the Theatre Arts Schools Association, Michelle Theobalds, expressed the hope that the dialogue will allow for solutions to the development of theatre arts and culture.

“We do know that there are few hurdles that we need to overcome if we want to be as big as Trinidad or Jamaica in the extent of development of culture,” she said. “We do have quite a wealth of talent, and it is important to tap into that talent and encourage development.”

The Theatre Arts Schools’ Association (TASA) was formed earlier this year.