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CARIBBEAN SECONDARY EXAMINATION COUNCIL

THEATRE ARTS SCHOOL-BASED ASSESSMENT

Candidate’s Name: Marissa Martin

Candidate’s Number: 1000780756

Centre Number: 100078

School: Montego Bay High School for Girls

Territory: St. James

Teacher: Ms. Bradshaw-Beswick

Year: 2021-2022
 Table of Contents

Acknowledgement..........................................................................................................................3

CRITIQUE.....................................................................................................................................4

My Critique of the play: “Ras Noah and the Hawk”...................................................................5

RESEARCH PAPER.....................................................................................................................7

Rationale......................................................................................................................................8

Discussion of Findings................................................................................................................9

APPENDICES..............................................................................................................................11

Supporting Material...................................................................................................................12

Interview questions....................................................................................................................19

Reflection......................................................................................................................................24

Creative Piece...............................................................................................................................27

Bibliography.................................................................................................................................30

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 Acknowledgement

I have invested a lot towards the completion of this assessment; however, it would not have been

possible without the generous assistance and support of many people.

First and foremost, it is with great honor that I thank God for giving me strength and knowledge,

and for continuously guiding me in the path of greatness.

Secondly, many thanks to my teacher, Ms. Beswick, and former teacher, Mrs. Sean-Thelwell,

who willingly helped me. I would also like to extend sincere thanks to Sharifa Balfour for taking

the time out for the interview, not to mention my classmates, especially friends, for assisting me

along the way.Last but not least, I would like to express great gratitude towards my dear mother

for not only motivating me to strive for excellence but also providing all the financial assistance

towards this subject.

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CRITIQUE

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 My Critique of the play: “Ras Noah and the Hawk”

I saw one of the most amusing plays on January 14,

2022. "Ras Noah and the Hawk," written by Patrick

Brown and directed by Trevor Nairne, represents

comedic, drama, biblical, fictional, and musical genres. It

stars a slew of well-known actors, all of whom will be

discussed furthermore.

The play is set in a ghetto town in Jamaica, and it begins

at Butcha's (Oliver Samuels) shop during Hurricane Ivan.

Butcha, who is waiting for his son, Noah (Glen "Titus''

Campbell), to return from his studies as a doctor

overseas, is shocked by the fact that Noah has dreadlocks. Noah insisted that God chose him to

build an ark and warn people about a great flood that would destroy the unrighteous.

As the story progressed, I was aware that it had little to do with the biblical Noah's Ark. What

struck me as surprising was that three actors were made to play two characters, and they did an

excellent job of doing so. Dahlia Harris played two distinct roles: Cass Cass, a frail and elderly

woman confined to a wheelchair who served as the narrator, and GoGo, a boisterous and

obnoxious woman. Davis French played both Spliff, a gangster smoking thug, and God. Loeri

Robinson played the 'sketel' angel as well as Norma, Ras Noah's 'Empress.'

I was a bit confused when the audience made sounds of specific animals such as a cow, goat,

sheep, etc. But then I realized, the animals being imitated were going on the ark in the scene.

The play was set on a proscenium stage with trees, board houses, etc. for the background. The

costumes matched the play's concept and tone, as well as enhanced the characters. I must

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compliment the costume designer on his/ her continuity with the play's aesthetic, particularly

with Ras Noah's portrayal of a real-life Rastafarian. In addition, Loeri's outfit implied that she

was a real sketel. Dahlia, Cass Cass, sported a gray wig and "large thick-lens glasses". These

outfits were well-chosen and fit the needs of each character.

The lighting and sound effects were greatly used to improve the overall quality of the

performance. For instance, a realistic-feeling explosion was employed to amplify tremendous

thunderclaps that happened throughout the storm which made an impact on the audience.

However, I was dissatisfied with the weak enunciation. I had trouble hearing the play at first, but

rewatching the video helped me to understand what was going on.

This production, in my opinion, builds a positive atmosphere for youngsters while also sending a

message to society that, despite current advances, God is always in control. Much of the real

world is featured, for example, jokes about Hurricane Ivan, presidential elections, overpricing,

religious beliefs, and a variety of other topics emerged throughout the production.

Nonetheless, the production was very hilarious and entertaining. It encourages young people,

such as myself, to participate in theatrical productions because they are rewarding and

innovative. The cast of characters, as well as the costumes selection, were spectacular. Apart

from the sound design, everything was well-executed.

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RESEARCH
PAPER

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 Rationale

Ever since I was 7, I have been fascinated by my ancestors and history. I was eager to know

more about Jamaica's background, and this motivated me to study subjects relating to Caribbean

history. I got the chance to interview Sharifa Balfour, from National Museum West, who plays a

vital role in the preservation of our culture which has positively impacted the theatre industry. I

also aim to identify the day-to-day challenges that she has faced during the COVID-19

pandemic. The project not only entails how she has impacted Jamaica but also how museums

impact society.

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 Discussion of Findings

On December 8, 2021, an interview with Sharifa Balfour was conducted to gather information.

Sam Sharpe Square in Montego Bay is home to the National Museum West, which is a system

museum to the National Museum Jamaica Center for the acquisition, preservation, and

documenting of Jamaican material culture. The center aims to stimulate research and artifact

displays on Jamaica's ethnographic past and contemporary life. The National Museum of

Jamaica, located in downtown Kingston, houses over 17,000 objects shown in a variety of

displays.

Sharifa Balfour is a Jamaican native, who completed primary and secondary education in

Trinidad before migrating to Jamaica to study at Edna Manley College and the University of the

West Indies, Mona. She then acquired a Bachelor of Arts in Visual Arts at UWI in 2016, having

previously departed Edna Manley with a major in ceramics. Her father is of Jamaican descent,

hence she has a strong Jamaican accent.

Sharifa Balfour identifies herself as a curator of history and ethnography. Ethnography is the

recording and analysis of a culture or society, or the study as to how humans live, social norms

and habits, and so much more. Her profession has motivated her in a variety of ways, for

instance, during exhibitions she learns more about ethnic groups and other customs. Her work

comprises a little bit of everything, such as educational outreach, social media postings,

administration, etc.

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Museums ensure that various groups and cultures are known and embraced. They foster

interaction, curiosity, and self-reflection while promoting a greater understanding of common

history. Additionally, museums allow future generations to learn their history and appreciate the

accomplishments of their ancestors. Despite the epidemic, the museums continue to organize

educational and entertaining activities every year. Outreaches are held in schools, nursing homes,

and larger communities throughout Jamaica. Educational seminars, heritage panel discussions,

concerts, CSEC lectures, and other activities are held during these events to highlight essential

parts of Jamaican culture and educate the public. Figure 3 depicts one of the numerous virtual

events emphasizing Afro-Jamaican dishes and botanicals. The discussion's objective, according

to Sharifa Balfour, was to educate Jamaicans and "to support the preservation of the many

cultural traditions in Jamaica." Jamaicans are less accustomed to hearing about the Black African

community's contributions to food and herbs, which I assertively agree with. I admire their work

as they continuously try to keep individuals informed about Jamaica’s culture and history.

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APPENDICES

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 Supporting Material

Figure 1: Image of National Museum West.

Figure 2: Flyer for Virtual Taino Day 2021 at National Museum Jamaica.

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 Figure 3: “Nourishment and Healing: The Food and Herbs of Afro-Jamaica”
National Museum Jamaica’s panel discussion that was held in celebration of Black
History Month 2021.

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Figure 4: National Museum West presenting its annual Heritage Lecture in 2020.

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Figure 5: Flyer showing National Museum West’s Black History Month
Celebration in 2022.

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Figure 6: Flyer for Virtual Summer Workshop in 2020.

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Figure 7: Poster for International Museum Day in May 2021.

Figure 8: Picture showing the

Figure 9: Poster for “Out of

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 Interview questions

Recorded on: December 8, 2021.

1. What does a day in your life as a curator entail?

Ans: Some days are easygoing while some are hectic depending on the time of the year. If it's a

busy period like black history month and reggae month, I begin to plan out things 4-6 months

before the events and the social media postings. I arrive at 8 am, then discuss with my assistant if

she's in the office. My staff member fills me in with any structural issues, for instance, if the air

conditioner isn't working. I then prepare for virtual classes. I am responsible for turning on the

audiovisual material for the exhibitions which normally takes 15-20 minutes. I ensure everything

is under control and in place, the exhibition spaces are clean before leaving the office and

museum. Sometimes there may be power outages that affect the equipment. In this case, I would

have to call for help to solve this problem. The museum has to be very cool due to the hot
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temperature in Montego Bay. Furthermore, I check emails in my office and contact the

necessary people. From time to time, I talk with my administrator and director there in Kingston.

I also do monthly reports and staff appraisals.

2. You have presented information about Jamaica's culture and heritage, what exactly

drove you to be so passionate about Jamaica's cultural background?

Ans: I am a huge supporter of Caribbean heritage. Because growing up the way that I did I have

been to most of the Caribbean islands, English speaking, French, Spanish, and you would be

surprised to know that we are much more similar than we think we're different. I've just always

been very passionate about visual arts, that’s why I went to Edna Manley to study visual arts. It

doesn't matter how long I have been in this field I always get a chance to do something new

every day and I'm very excited about learning even though some people perceive what I do as

very boring, but to me, it’s just to be able to come to work and constantly stay mentally

stimulated. It’s an amazing feeling because there are some jobs to stamp paper every day. When

collaborating with Herbert Morrison Technical High School and inviting Jamaica’s

Hummingbird Tribe, a group of Taino people, I still learned something new. I did history at

CSEC level, 6th form, and university and I have a book about Tainos which I read and wrote

about. I also have studied objects about Tainos. Being a curator just encourages me to go and

learn more about Jamaica’s history.

3. Was becoming a curator of the National Museum always your dream, if not what

did you aspire to become?

Ans: I wanted to become several things, but my trajectory was to open a pottery factory because

I love ceramics and I'm a very good sculptor. I did visual arts at CSEC and cape level and Edna

Manley. I didn't want to only sell artwork, I wanted to have a factory that produces Caribbean
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pottery which would be different from what we get from a Chinese factory. I wanted to be a

professional potterer/businesswoman.

4. What do you like about your museums' display and what improvements would you

make?

Ans: We have 2 separate museum spaces. I love the color scheme and layout of the objects. It

invites you to spend time in the spaces. Make space to observe maroon heritage. We look at St.

James and its history. We look at the Tainos in the present day and we are now making space to

observe the maroon heritage. I will be adding some objects and some cases for those objects on a

screen so that when people come to exhibitions, they can get a full and wholesome history of the

maroons.

5. Trinidad is known worldwide for its unique art program and art history, what

made you assume that the Jamaican art program is a better choice?

Ans: Having experienced it, I don't agree. UWI art program focuses on carnival art which I was

not interested in. When I came to spend summer at the age of 16 with my grandmother, my

father’s mom, I visited Edna Manley and they sold themselves as the premier art institution of

the Caribbean and you know I went to look at the departments and I saw the ceramic department

and I was set off. In my opinion, Jamaica had a much better history in the production of

ceramics. I thought that Jamaica would be a better place for me for some personal reasons, at that

age I wanted to explore the other side of myself. Phenotypically, I look like my dad’s side of the

family, not my mom's. And I ended up being the lightest person in my family. I didn't share any

physical features with my mother's side of the family. So as a teenager, I wanted to explore that

side of myself. So I decided to come to school here where I will be able to have more time with

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my Jamaican family. But when I got to Edna Manley, I was so disappointed, so I ended up

leaving Edna after my first year and went to UWI to finish my degree.

6. Jamaicans are accustomed to hearing about the contribution of the black African

community, but it is rare that we talk about food and herbs, why do you believe that

we Jamaicans are unaware of where those specific foods and herbs come from or

what made you think of this?

Ans: A part of my job means I must be constantly aware of what is happening in our country,

and what needs to be addressed from a cultural point of view. Everything we do affects culture.

From my research, I realized that it wasn't talked about a lot, like cerasee. People always talk

about cerasee for everything, for example: if your belly is hurting or you’re feeling pain, drink

cerasee but people don't mention where it came from and why we as Jamaicans, and Caribbeans,

have this attachment to tea. So, I thought it would be something cool to look at. And it also

comes from questions I ask myself while doing research, and I figured that if I am interested in

something, which is more likely that other people would be interested as well. But they don't

have the accessibility that I have to do so.

7. In what way do you think the Jamaica theatre company helped to sustain some of

these cultural forms, and do you have any recommendations?

Ans: My recommendation is funding, physical space, and training. Theatre arts helped to

maintain cultural artforms by incorporating them. Theatre companies help to retain many of our

traditional art forms by incorporating them.

8. What advice would you give to someone who is interested in becoming a curator?

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Ans: Have a plan and make sure it is feasible and try your best to get training outside the

Caribbean to give you general knowledge and possibilities as well as boost your creativity.

Because people think museums are very boring spaces where you go to see old dusty objects and

that the curators are old dusty people so many times when people meet me, they expect an old

dusty woman. Beat your undergrads and masters. I would encourage them to do voluntary work

at a gallery or museum. As passionate as you are about the job you need money. Also, to have a

trajectory as to where you want to go to be a curator.

9. Have there been any downsides pertaining to your career path, how do you

overcome that feeling?

Ans: I have several talents and sometimes I question if I am on the right path like should I go

back to my original dream of owning a pottery factory or publish some books. I must refocus and

figure out what is feasible and what is not. If this is a smart decision or if it is not. I take a deep

breath and with age comes wisdom so I understand that these things will pass. Many times, these

things pop up and you learn to problem-solve. You adapt and maneuver.

10. Do you see this role supporting your career development? If yes, how?

Ans: Yes, absolutely. My focus is to become the director of the National Museum of Jamaica or

the director of a cultural institution that can be in another country. I continue learning and

building. It gives me access to other cultural practitioners in the museum space and the ability to

see and learn from other people. I am also able to see behind the scenes what a curator in a

cultural space requires and I am able tofocus on training. Before, our social media platform was

terrible. We didn't have an Instagram page. We didn't have a lot of public programming. I do

enjoy my job for the most part.

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 Reflection

1. What was learned, positive and/or negative?

As a result of my research and interview with Sharifa Balfour, I have learnt many things. The

museums protect a significant historic and ethnographic collection of objects, which are an

important part of the Jamaican people's story. The museum is responsible for collecting,

preserving, researching, interpreting, and exhibiting tangible and intangible evidence of society

and nature. Exhibitions are important in expressing the underlying idea and sentiment to modern

audiences, but due to the pandemic, Miss Balfour uses social media as one of the primary means

of disseminating information to the public.

2. Did you learn anything different or new?

One of the many things I didn't know is that the National Museum West is similar to the National

Museum Jamaica, which is just one of the multiple departments of the Institute of Jamaica. The

Institute of Jamaica was regarded as the promotion and preservation of Jamaican culture.

3. How did the findings impact you?

My historical understanding was enhanced as a result of the findings. Learning more about my

ancestors and their beliefs just solves many of the questions I've had about them. I also increased

my vocabulary by learning about various ethnographic and historical words. Completing the

research paper also assisted me in better understanding the topic.

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 4. How did the research better your understanding of what was being researched?

The research I conducted enabled me to comprehend why the museum is so significant to

Jamaica and what it has to do with theatre arts. I recognized that museums house things related to

our culture, which is undoubtedly a component of theater arts. Museums teach people about

people, how individuals in the past reacted to their environment, and the ramifications of their

reactions on our past, present, and future.

5. How will this benefit you in the future?

Most students are not educated about our history and are unaware of their own culture, resulting

in a societal cultural deficit. Exploring museums gives students the ability to engage actively in

the process of acquiring knowledge and to express thoughts and emotions. I will be able to

educate future generations and my peers upon completing this assessment. I want them to be

more aware and cognizant of our culture's heritage, as well as confident in embracing it. What I

learned will be useful to me as a practitioner in the future since I now know where to find

reliable material for my theatrical performances or plays.

6. What are some of the challenges experienced during this research?

Finding material online was a challenge, but after extensive investigation, I was able to get the

necessary data and photographs to support my research paper.

7. How did you solve these challenges?

I was able to solve this by continuing my study and looking through several platforms, such as

Facebook and Instagram. My teacher and peers also assisted me throughout the process.

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 8. What did you learn about yourself during the process?

I am really fascinated with my cultural past. I discovered that I am highly proficient in analysis

and research. Even though this assessment was demanding, I eventually finished it.

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 Creative Piece

JAMIE NUH KNOW BOUT HIS

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A FEW MOMENTS LATER

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THE END
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 Bibliography

CVM Television. (2020, October 27). Chattings: A Conversation on Jamaican Patois |Sunrise|

CVMTV [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/ihW4qFscoeE

National Museum Jamaica. (2021, February 25). Nourishment and Healing: The Food and Herbs

of Afro-Jamaica [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/VXRD_Ceg0w0

CVM Television. (2021, October 14). We Are the Tainos: Get to Know the Real Us | Sunrise |

CVMTV [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/Iphww1116gM

National Museum Jamaica. (2020, May 20). Out of Many One People [Video]. YouTube.

https://youtu.be/sTXYgILlAaw

(n.d.). Western Jamaica attraction. Retrieved March 9, 2022, from

https://montegobayculturalcentre.org/

National Museum West. (n.d.). National Museum West - Home. Facebook. Retrieved

March 9, 2022, from https://www.facebook.com/NationalMuseumWestMontegoBay/

Interview Recording:

Https://Drive.Google.Com/File/D/1ca6n_dmhwxehdvpsc27mkoxjloh1fkor/View?Usp=Sharing

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