– From not talking to anyone in school to entertaining thousands

By Telesha Ramnarine
NO one could convince her as a youth that she would one day become an actress because she knew how shy she was. But today, she is able to stand on the stage and entertain thousands at a time in play after play.

Meet the beautiful Sheron Annette Cadogan-Taylor, well known as ‘Mother J’ from the popular series “Agree to Disagree” which rocked local television back in the days.
Sheron cannot explain what really accounts for the transition but all she knows is that the butterflies in her stomach always disappear when she starts to perform.
“I really didn’t see myself as an actress anywhere in my youth. I was very shy. People told me they never thought I would become an actress because of how shy I was in school. I never spoke to anyone in school, and in every school, I probably had like one friend. I was always the mum one. Theatre develops your confidence.”
In fact, Sheron, born and raised in Albouystown, Georgetown, succeeded in acting to the point where she has secured several awards including Best Actress, Runner Up, Best Newcomer, Best Director, Best Original Guyanese Play, and Best Costume.
Sheron’s first play in 1992 was called “Rope and the Cross” but the one she enjoyed doing the most was playing a 16 year old blind girl who was sexually violated in “Why didn’t he ask Cora?”
Born to parent Gloria and Rudolph (both now deceased), Sheron spent her primary school years at St. Stephens, Central and Smith Memorial Primary Schools before moving over to Charlestown Secondary. She also spent some time at Critchlow Labour College and the University of Guyana.
Because acting is not very lucrative in Guyana, Sheron says a day job is necessary. As such, for many years now, she has been managing Inter law Consultants, under retired Justice Donald Trotman.
She is also Director/Producer with H&T Theater Arts and Horizon Arts Production.
For 12 years before her current day job, Sheron worked with Martin Stephenson, another lawyer, who is now deceased.
“I like stability. That explains why I have held only two jobs so far. Once I am dedicated, I am dedicated. If I am here, I am here. That’s just me. I don’t like jumping from one place to another,” she offered.

“There are so many societal issues. We have so many books, conferences. People go sit down, fall asleep and whatever. But to me, when you see certain things played out before you, live on stage, it hits home deeper.”

A Simple Beginning
Explaining how her acting career began, Sheron recalled participating in a yearend concert at Critchlow Labour College where her performance was praised. At the end of the show, she brushed off suggestions that she should join the Theatre Guild.
“One day I was home cleaning and doing chores and not even thinking about what that person said to me. But I suddenly thought to myself that I should check out Theatre Guild.”
Sheron turned up at Theatre Guild and sat quietly at the back looking on as Andre Subryan (now deceased) directed a play.
“He saw me and asked what I was doing there. I said I was just there to see what was going on. He told me to go up on the stage and not to even try doubting him. I went up. He wanted an extra dancer for a play he was doing. Although I knew nothing about dancing, I rehearsed and started dancing. I was in display and next thing you know, I am at the Guild and I am being placed in play after play and got awards and so forth.”
A few years ago, Sheron has also started directing plays and won the National Drama Festival with 83 Million G’s, Watch the Ride, and Till I find a Place 3. She co-produced some with Ronald Hollingsworth. “I think I have achieved quite a lot in the industry. I never thought I would be able to produce and direct.”
Sheron views acting as another avenue of addressing social issues. “There are so many societal issues. We have so many books, conferences. People go sit down, fall asleep and whatever. But to me, when you see certain things played out before you, live on stage, it hits home deeper.”
To her, acting is not just about the money.
“It’s to get a message out there to the young people; to get them doing something other than getting into trouble. With the introduction of the Drama School a few years ago, you find more young people are going there, but what do they do with their talent when they leave the school?”
Sheron has written “The Ex” which will be coming out soon and will be soon be co-producing “Till I find a place 3.”
She is married to the loving and supportive Paul and has four children Kenesha, Tenesha, Shania and William.