Steven Edwards, founder and director of Steven Edwards Productions (SEP), sold his car and pawned all of his gold—including his wedding band—just to complete a theatre production titled For Better or For Worst. But those sacrifices were not at all in vain, as the production recently got accepted into the Toronto Fringe Theatre Festival, Toronto’s largest theatre and performance festival.
The company headquartered in Arima is also making history as its acceptance into the prestigious event has officially made it the first theatre production company in the Caribbean to get accepted into the festival.
The opportunity Edwards said, could not have come by luck and chance as the theatre companies which entered the festival were chosen based on a random raffle draw. And out of 13 international theatre companies, SEP was chosen in two draws to showcase its theatrical production.
“I believe this was fate,” he told the T&T Guardian.
This is all good news for Edwards who is quite elated, but all of this excitement and happiness can quickly turn to gloom if he does not find the money to actually go to the festival.
Edwards and his 27 cast and crew, are expected to leave on June 28, but so far this looks grim as they have not been able to secure funding or sponsorship, despite the fact, sponsors would be getting a $150 tax rebate, as the company is registered with the Ministry of Arts and Multiculturalism.
“We have been knocking on every door possible since last year in November, but to date we have had no favourable responses from anyone, not even the Tourism Development Company (TDC).
“It is really important for us to utilise this opportunity, not because we want to shine or just be the first theatre production company in the Caribbean to be there. But because a lot of hard work went into this. The entire cast and crew were so dedicated and sacrificed a lot. That is why it is so important to me to do this production,” said Edwards.
He continued, “My wife and I had comfortable jobs and when I left my job at TSTT to pursue this dream I had no money. This play came from a real place. There was a time I had no job. And because I did not want my wife who was pregnant at the time to panic, I told her I had a job and I would just drive to the airport everyday and sit at Royal Castle there and write this play. And today here I am, so I have to get this.”
For Better or For Worst is written and directed by Edwards who also plays the lead. The piece is about a married couple set in Trinidad in the 1980s post the oil boom and the depression which followed after. It takes place in one day where this married couple is on the brink of divorce because their marriage has been severely burdened by financial challenges, conflict, lost opportunities and a myriad of crashed dreams.
Can they make it? Well Steven says one has to see the actual production to find that out.
“I will say this much, the production is guaranteed to make you laugh, cry and love again.”
SEP is not just theatre
The 32-year-old father of two said it was always in him to do theatre. He recalls as a young man in church, he would lead the youth group in theatrical plays. But Edwards was not just about putting on skits for mere pleasure. He usually used hard hitting and thought provoking themes that spoke directly to social ills in the country and community in which he lived.
He also used theatre to draw young people to church who otherwise just would not show up. His life took a turning point when one of the young men whom he mentored was murdered at age 17. It was a difficult time for Edwards and out of his grief, he decided to create a programme called Transformation Through Theatre and Technology. The programme was going to be an initiative to save youths who were at risk of falling into the drug trafficking, illegal arms, and commercial sex trade.
Utilising the power of theatre and technology, SEP has supported the personal growth of youth as they transition from childhood to adulthood. The opportunities that SEP provide have allowed talented and dedicated performers develop communication and life skills, resulting in the passion to pursue careers in the creative arts, an increased appreciation for diversity, and a commitment to excellence and heightened cultural awareness. With an emphasis on core values such as love, support, non-discrimination, respect, and acceptance.
First operating out of his home in Arima and then using the facility of his old school at Hillview College for practice and rehearsal sessions. The programme he said, started to attract people from all walks of life.
"I realised people were not just coming for the theater alone, they were coming for motivation, counseling, inspiration and most of all a family environment.
"One of the key things about SEP is that it is home to people of all races, backgrounds, religions and walks of life venturing into one common space and finding love and a sense of belonging," he boasted.
Steven added what keeps the programme and the very life of SEP alive is prayer.
"When we gather, we pray before and after every session and I believe this is what has kept our family going."
The playwright who was also a finalist for the Caribbean Region Award of Commonwealth Youth Worker of the Year, is also in the process of writing his first book which he wants to title, One In A Million: Triumphant in Trinidad.
But before that happens, his immediate goal is to secure the funds he needs to attend the festival so that he can prove to the very said young people he mentors, that through theatre, their lives can actually be changed.
For anyone wishing to assist Steven Edwards Productions please call 304-9159 or send emails to: rayvenbusinesses@gmail.com
bobie-lee.dixon@guardian.co.tt