Unlocking Local Talent: BVI Arts Company Presents “The Wiz”
by Jane Bakewell
Claudia Knight arrived in the BVI from England a decade ago with just one burning passion. After years as an actress, art teacher and involved in theatre production, she wanted to unlock the potential of youth (and adults) in a broad spectrum of arts and performance. She joined the BVI Arts Company (Killi Killi), which had been formed in 2014, and eventually took over full time.
Bubbling with enthusiasm and energy, Claudia sat down with me recently (something after interviewing her that I realized she does not do often) and spoke about her vision, and the many creative arms of the BVI Arts Company. Of course, this includes preparations for the recent theatre production of “The Wiz” which played to enthusiastic audiences on March 18th and 19th at the HLSCC auditorium.
Helping to organize “Community Creative Projects” is at the core of what Claudia envisions will help to unlock the vast talent she feels lies dormant among the youth and young adults in the territory. As an arts teacher, she brings these projects into the various schools here such as First Impressions, Cedar School, Pelican Gate and the Montessori School. BVI Arts Company also has Youth Camps throughout the year (for under 12-year-olds) when schools are on break, with face painting, games, teaching circus skills and tapping into the potential of future actors and actresses. “Everyone gets a taste of creativity.”
The BVI Arts Company has also involved youth in feature film productions such as “Peter Pan,” which used the BVI backdrop as “Never-Never Land” and the famous “Willy T” anchored at Norman Island, as the Pirate ship. This nearly two-hour film was shown at UP’s Cinemax in Road Town. Events, productions and classes are what the Arts Company is primarily involved with. Claudia envisions a time when she can hire more staff to do the arts projects in schools, leaving her more time for theatre productions. “There is such a pool of untapped talent here,” she enthused. “I could see a time when film production companies come here and we have a pool of talent available for them to hire.”
When not teaching classes, Claudia focuses on her one great passion, which is theatre production. This includes at least one youth “under 18” project a year, such as the upcoming “The Whiz” production. “I really feel, especially after the Covid lockdowns, that young people need a creative outlet or expression.” Theatre as an art, she explained, brings formerly shy and insecure young people out of their shells expressing talents they might not have recognized they possessed before.
A tradition Claudia brought from England, that is prevalent during the Christmas season, is “Panto” productions. Formally called Pantomime, (not to be confused with just miming) dates back to the 17th century England, when musical comedies were performed based on a folk or fairy tale and imbued with topical humor and larger-than-life characters. The audience was encouraged to shout back and be involved. This type of theatre is both fun and encouraging for youth seeking a creative outlet.
In 2022 the Panto production was “Aladdin,” which included all ages, and in Claudia’s words was so well attended, she was amazed at the community response. This year’s “The Wiz” has been in production for six months with 50 actors involved. The production is an amalgamation of three separate playsincluding; “Wicked’, “The Whiz,”(both classic Broadway musical productions) and “The Wizard of Oz,” which has been performed on stage and in a classic movie.
“How do you possibly write a script, get the music, arrange the stage setting and teach 50 actors their parts?” I queried, knowing she also had a partner and a small daughter to attend to as well. Throwing her hair up in a loose top bun, glancing at her watch, Claudia laughed. The scripts and musical rights can be purchased she explained and the youth are eager to learn their parts. Not one has dropped out in all her productions during her years here. She knocked on the wooden table where we were seated, only a few weeks away from opening date.
“When I came here, I realized the need for creative platforms and with my acting and theatre background, I realized I could be that person for the Caribbean.”
For additional information on The BVI Arts Company go to:
