Badjohn
noun
1. a man who derives his sense of self from acts of bravado or violence; a hooligan or ruffian
ORIGIN: British West Indies Creole
Requiem for a Badjohn is a play set in an inner city community in Castries, Saint Lucia. At the centre of the play is Girl, who is torn between ambitions to leave the yard, and her abiding connections to her grandmother and the yardies who are her extended family. When disaster befalls the yard, Girl is forced to make a choice that will have repercussions for the whole community.
The play explores the realities that young people in Saint Lucia face today. A 2009 estimate puts the population under 30 at 55%. School-leavers confront tremendous uncertainty, and few opportunities to pursue the dreams that their education promised as their right. By addressing these issues and enlisting the demographic it depicts, the production hopes, not just to start a dialogue, but also to present concrete opportunities for young people in the performance arts.
We need your help to make Requiem a reality. There is little by way of public funding for this type of endeavour, and enormous competition for corporate social responsibility programmes. We believe in the value of not just our production, but also the momentum and legacy that it can create.
We’ve cast the play and started rehearsals and we’ve a commitment from the Cultural Development Foundation of Saint Lucia to offset the cost of the venue. We still need funds for set design, costumes and props and performer stipends.
Cost breakdown:
- Set & props - $2500
- Costumes & makeup - $700
- Stipends - $1400
- Transportation - $400
Any additional funds raised will go towards extending the play’s two-night run in the city of Castries April 29th and 30th, and bringing it to the island's outlying districts and communities.
If you are unable to make a financial contribution, you can help by sharing this appeal with your community.
Thank you!