By Paloma Mohamed
The Theatre Guild of Guyana founded in 1957, is the oldest theatrical and performance facility in Guyana and among the oldest in the Caribbean. After a decade of being defunct a massive public fund-raising effort took place in 2007 and 2008 and the Guild was rebuilt and re-opened in 2008 just in time for Carifesta. The Theatre Guild has always been a volunteer not-for-profit, non-governmental organization whose mandate is to nurture, train and support promising performing artistes in Guyana and the region
The Guild is run by an Executive Management Committee of 7 elected members who can serve for a maximum of 5 years. There is also an 8 person advisory Board of Trustees who guide and support the Executive Management Committee in its endeavours. Neither the members of the Board of Trustees nor the members of the Executive Committee receive any remuneration for their services.
Members of the Executive Management Committee in addition to working to administratively ensure the proper running and funding of the Guild also routinely undertake necessary assignments during shows to ensure the smooth running of the shows especially when supporting volunteers are unable to work. Among these duties are stage management, running of the bar, ushering and front of house, operating lighting and sound equipment and selling tickets.
The motto of the Guild ‘Living Art, Nurturing Talent’ expresses the core mandate of the facility. To this end many training programmes are held in both technical and performance aspects of the arts.
The Guild boasts a state of the art sound and lighting system. These are overseen by Norman Dos Ramos who sits on the board as the member responsible for technical aspects of the Guild. Dos Ramos routinely works on lighting plans for shows with young trainees and graduates of Guild programmes who run the technical requirements for shows. There is a core of 8 young persons discovered during Carifesta X who have been identified by Dos Ramos as competent, trustworthy and talented enough to be trained in the facility and to support performances there. Work is assigned by an availability and roster system and is a purely on voluntary basis.
In addition to a cadre of volunteers there are two full time staff members: a theatre manager and the caretaker both of whom receive no salary other than a small stipend to cover expenses.
The Theatre Guild is a non profit organization. The only source of funding is through donations of cash and kind, membership fees, fund-raising events and the rental of the facility as a venue for use by a wide range of public and private sector organizations across Guyana and in the Caribbean. Since its re-opening in July 2008 there have been 17 productions at the facility including 3 Guild productions put on by members.
The rental policy of the Theatre Guild of Guyana is based on the existing policy of the other performance venues in Guyana. There is a flat rental of $35,000 per rental of the 300 seat theatre with one technical rehearsal included. Other rehearsals which require the use of electricity are $3000 an hour. Unlike other facilities in the country which take 25% of gross ticket sales, no percentage is taken by the Guild. However, producers are responsible for all other costs associated with their productions, such as the production of tickets, programmes, refreshments for their staff, costumes, sets and properties, as well as items which use additional electricity.
Due to fire regulations enforced at the facility producers are not allowed to place additional seats in the theatre for any reason. Other rules of decorum are also strictly enforced in the Guild and these are expected to be adhered to by anyone using the facility. These are specified in a contract which every producer needs to agree to prior to being allowed to use the facility. In addition and in keeping with the training mandate, when new producers are entertained some effort at offering them orientation in theatre production is offered free of charge.
The Guild is about to launch its business plan for 2009. In fulfilment of its teaching mandate, the plan provides for workshops as follows:
Schedule of Workshops at the Theatre Guild
March to April – Vocal Workshop Taught by Russell Lancaster.
Easter Performance Workshop for Children – April 5-19.
Costume Design Workshop – August , Taught by Peling Goddard
Scriptwriting Workshop – September Taught by Paloma Mohamed, 2009.
Intermediate Children’s Performance Workshop for Christmas Production – October to December 2009. Taught by Desiree Whyles Ogle and Paloma Mohamed.
Arrangements are also being put in place for music and dance workshops as well. Dates and instructors for these will be announced soon.
All workshops are open to the public for a small fee of $4000 per workshop. Guild members pay 25% less than the general public. In addition the Guild will resuscitate its regular weekly members’ workshops in April. Members and interested persons are welcome to come on Wednesday nights from 7-9pm to take part in these workshops which are free to Guild members.
A number of performances and events will also be put on by the Guild in 2009. These include:
Theatre Guild Performances for 2009
1. The Vigil – an Easter Play Directed by Jennifer Thomas on April – 10-13 from 8pm.
2. An Easter Story – Children’s Performance from Workshop – April 19 at 5pm
3. In Memory of Edgar Mittleholzer – A Night of Dramatic Readings of Millleholzers Little Known and Important Works. April 27 at 8pm.
4. Art of Steel – Guyana’s First Steel Pan Festival – May 24-30
5. 2 Plays by August Wilson – July 1-3 . Matinee for schools 1-4pm and evening performances 8pm.
6. Message to Margaret Directed by Malcolm Defreitas September 25, 26, 27 at 8pm
7. The Blithe Spirit – October 29, 30, 31 at 8pm
8. The Little Fiddle – Directed by Paloma Mohamed. Theatre Guild Children’s Christmas Production, December 18, 19 , 20 at 6-7pm.
Among the main features of the business plan is also the Guilds official website www.thetheatreguildofguyana.com. This site hosts the Guilds 2009 performance and event schedule, application forms, constitution, regulations, news, photos as well as links to other arts resources as well as rental information. The Guild is now available for rental for such functions as plays, conferences, seminars, weddings, meetings, concerts, graduations and training sessions.
(Persons wishing to get more information may check the website or call the office at 225-4033or 626-9687.)
9. Artists Old Years Night Party – December 31, 11pm to 5am.
Among the main features of the business plan is also the Guilds official website www.thetheatreguildofguyana.com. This site hosts the Guilds 2009 performance and event schedule, application forms, constitution, regulations, news, photos as well as links to other arts resources as well as rental information. The Guild is now available for rental for such functions as plays, conferences, seminars, weddings, meetings, concerts, graduations and training sessions.
(Persons wishing to get more information may check the website or call the office at 225-4033or 626-9687.)
