DWAYNE WHITE JR is passionate about Tobago’s culture. And it shows.
Whether he’s playing a jab molassie, reciting a monologue, acting in street theatre or fire-breathing, White is sure to deliver an impressive performance.
At the Buccoo Goat and Crab Race Festival on April 12, White portrayed a red devil, thrilling spectators at the Integrated Facility with his comedic antics, facial contortions and seemingly boundless energy.
[caption id="attachment_1078527" align="aligncenter" width="309"] Dwayne White portrays a jab molassie. -[/caption]
Two months before, he won the Tobago House of Assembly’s (THA’s) inter-department Carnival competition with a double-entendre monologue about diversifying the island’s tourism-based economy. The piece was written by Rayshawn Pierre.
A lead actor with the Tobago Performing Arts Company (TPAC), White, 36, said he is still overwhelmed by his win.
“I felt accomplished winning this competition, although it could have been a bit more challenging, given the scope of performance on the night,” he told Sunday Newsday.
White said his win was doubly significant because it was the first time he had taken part in the competition.
“I always used to wonder how the competition would be ever since I worked at the Division of Community Development and Culture years ago. But I used to say, ‘I eh reach that level yet.’”
This year, though, he decided to give it a shot.
But while the dreadlocked artiste celebrated with his friends and family, some social-media users felt he should not have competed, owing to his years of experience as an actor and performer.
He scoffed at this view.
“I believe the inter-department and personality competition is about talent and is open to anyone who is involved in the THA. Wherever a person is in their career and it is along that path, why not enter the competition?
“I didn’t know my competition when I went into it, so I went in with my A-game, thinking, ‘Let me give it my all. It is a competition, so let me compete.' And it felt good.”
In the costume segment of the competition, White performed his version of the Jab Molassie – Abaddon, Prince of Demons. He said the character was created in UWI’s Old Yard in 2017.
“It was a black and gold creation. The black represented resistance, oppression, uprising and freedom and the gold represented royalty, cleanliness and power.
[caption id="attachment_1078528" align="alignnone" width="1022"] Actor and cultural performer Dwayne White in full blue devil mas. -[/caption]
“I think I did justice in terms of creating something for the younger generation to fully understand. So contemporising the tradition was what was done.”
For White, acting is not just about entertainment.
“As a performer in my homeland, I see myself as an inspiration for the creative lights that may be dim. I also see myself as an educator and role model.”
The father of one believes Tobago’s culture is unique and must be fully explored.
“What I love about it is the diversity of our people and what we can create using
