Many local artists have been displaying their talents in more than one art discipline and showcasing their tremendous scope in the process. Singer Renne Chester is one of the latest, following in the footsteps of the likes of dancer/actor Kijana Lewis, actor/painter Collette Jones-Chin and comedian/singer Kwasi ‘Ace’ Edmonson among several others.
Renne makes his acting debut next month in the Horizon Arts Production presentation of Sharon Cadogan-Taylor’s Shattered Dreamz, directed by Mariatha Causeway (Jennifer Thomas). Renne will play the role of Dr John Fraser, a father of two and a disciplinarian, trying to find a balance between managing his home and protecting his family.
Renne, now 30, came to the public’s attention in 2009 as a finalist in the GT&T Guyana Star jingle and song competition. He didn’t win, but took his experience to venture independently into the music scene. So far he has released a few singles—“Cinderella”, “We are the Change” and the popular “Playing You” which featured Calvin Burnett—and is working on a few others: “Black & Blue”, “Give Thanks” and “One Last Time” which is dedicated to the victims of the shooting in Middle Street last year. He considers his most recent success to be his reggae song “Playing You”. “The feedback was overwhelming,” he said.
Meanwhile, the video for “Cinderella” begins filming next month and the last three songs are in studio to be released soon.
Since he was a student at the West Ruimveldt Primary School young Renne was quite the singer.
His school days were spent using his gift of singing at concerts and shows and even at recess time where it became apparent to his teachers who later encouraged him to join the school’s Boys Choir.
He said he continued singing because music is not just a hobby but his life. “If you ever try breathing without air that is how I feel when I am without music,” he said.
His fans motivate him to continue singing. When fans say they love his songs, he said, “it’s like saying you love me and I reciprocate that love… My fans are the ones who keep me going and pushing my ambitions to bring hits.”
As a singer and songwriter most of his songs are inspired by the life events that surround him daily.
Renne grew up in Meadow Bank, a ward close to Banks DIH, Thirst Park and famous for its fishing wharf, with his mom and brother. He said his childhood was “typical”.
“I believe that my mom engendered my love for music,” he said. He recalled cleaning and singing the songs of Whitney Houston, Patti La Belle, and Boyz to Men, Michael Bolton and Barry White, with his mom. “Those were good times,” he reminisced.
Aside from singing, Renne hosts a television show ‘Epic Hype’ which is aired on the National Communications Network Channel 11, every Saturday from 13:00 – 13:30 hrs. He also loves being on the radio and being a dad. “I am in a happy place in my life right now,” he said. “Becoming a father is a transformation that shifts your focus from self to selflessness.”
Renne has a Bachelor’s Degree in Tourism (UG, 2010), but is currently employed by the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company, as a Senior Sales Representative, while working on his MBA.
He has performed in the past at the Guyana National Stadium and in the region. His song, “We are the Change” was written for the 2013 Caricom song competition and was selected among the top six as one of Guyana’s best. He also hopes to someday to perform on the international scene.
So why venture into acting now? Renne said he considered theatre to be congruent with singing. “Both arts demand that emotional appeal to captivate your audience so drama is part of who I am as an individual,” he said. Besides, Renne loves a challenge and acknowledges that you only live once.
“…When we die it is only our legacy that defines who we were,” he noted. “I strive to be a trailblazer and embrace new challenges that come my way.” As a singer/songwriter he acknowledges that emotions play a huge role. But Renne also describes himself as “an out-of-the-box thinker” and promises to draw on all of these strengths to deliver as an actor.
His wife, mom and aunt are his biggest supporters in fulfilling this dream. His fans will have the opportunity to decide for themselves come April 19 and 20 when Shattered Dreamz takes to the stage at the National Cultural Centre.
