MINISTER of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr., along with Minister within the Ministry, Steven Jacobs, and senior leadership of the Culture Department, recently met with a group of theatre stakeholders to review and plan the next phase of the “Write to Stage” Theatre Support Programme.
The initiative, launched in 2023 by Minister Ramson, has already produced and staged eight Guyana Prize-winning plays, marking a revival of local theatre and providing unprecedented opportunities for actors, directors, and production teams.
According to the Ministry, “Write to Stage” was designed to bring award-winning literary works to life while improving the quality of plays on Guyana’s stage. The programme has also served as a financial lifeline for theatre professionals, enabling productions that would not have been feasible under normal market conditions.
“In the last two years, producers and performers have earned a higher rate of income from the theatre than they had ever earned in the history of theatre in Guyana,” the Ministry reported.
The stakeholder gathering included veteran and emerging actors, who praised the improved quality of productions under the programme. All participants committed to continuing their collaboration to sustain and grow Guyana’s theatre industry despite ongoing market challenges.
Since its inception, the programme has staged the following plays: Sauda by Mosa Telford, Makantali by Harold Bascom, Last of the Redmen by Michael Gilkes, Father of the Man by Paloma Mohamed, Children of Baby by Mosa Telford, Requiem for the Living by Jamal La Rose, A Pleasant Career by Michael Gilkes and Don’t Ask Me Why by Rae Wiltshire.
The Ministry announced that the third production for 2025 will be staged in November, with plans already underway to expand the repertoire. Looking ahead, patrons can anticipate a rich tapestry of performances featuring poetry and non-fiction works from the Guyana Prize in 2026.
CULTURE AND ARTS INVESTMENT
The Government has also reaffirmed its commitment to cultural preservation and development under the theme “A Secure, Prosperous, and Sustainable Guyana.”
The 2025 National Budget allocated $3.6 billion for the continuous development of arts and culture, including $800 million earmarked for a cultural market at Palmyra, Berbice (Region Six). This hub is expected to serve as an educational and cultural showcase, celebrating the diversity and unity of Guyana’s people while providing families with a space to engage with the nation’s heritage.
With sustained investment and the success of initiatives like “Write to Stage,” the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport says it is confident that Guyana’s theatre industry is entering its most dynamic phase yet.