ST. JOHN’S, Antigua, Jan 11 2015, CNS – Darren A. Mc Almont is a Playwright, Instructor of Drama and Actor. He is also the Co-Founder and Artistic Director of Bean Entertainment Productions. Darren has always had a love for the Arts and began performing in Church plays from his early teens and professionally since 2008. Since then, Darren has been cast in many leading and supporting roles at the Theatre Guild of Guyana, the Guyana National Cultural Centre and in Antigua.
In 2010, Darren was featured in the Stabroek News Entertainment column, where he was dubbed “One-to-Watch.” The following year Darren moved to Antigua and Barbuda where he worked with the Cultural Development Division as an Instructor of Drama. He was instrumental in bringing an all-star cast from Guyana to Antigua to perform the plays Somebody Gon’ Horn Yuh and Two’s A Crowd, staged in October 2011 and February 2012 respectively.
In 2013 Darren produced his first full length play, Snapped, which he penned as a comedy and which tackled very topical issue and featured some of Guyana’s finest thespians and entertainers. He has also worked with Antigua’s National Youth Theatre Company and the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda Drama Group as the director of plays such as Secrets and Runaway Groom. Today, Darren continues to write, direct and produce and says he’s working on his next big project which should be in the next few months.
1. What do you love most about the Caribbean? Having travelled to more than 10 Caribbean countries, there is one thing that is common among all – sun, sea and sand. The tranquility of the clear waters is always calming and very inspiring and even though I don’t go to the beach that often, when I do, I always leave refreshed and there is something about the water that almost makes you forget about all the stresses of life. Sometimes, I just go out to a secluded beach, not to swim, but just reflect and I always leave with a sense of calm and a refreshed mind and spirit.
2. What brings you the greatest joy? To be able to help my family and friends brings me such great joy, even though at times I feel like I have not done enough.
3. What is the best advice you've been given? Over the years, I have been given many and it’s hard to choose just one as the best, but I believe as we mature some advice mean more than others and at this point the one which resonates most is – you are never going to be able to please everyone all of the time; whether it be professionally, creatively or otherwise, you just have to do what you feel in your heart is right.
4. What is on your bookshelf? There aren’t many books on my bookshelf now, but I have always had a passion for reading and my all-time favourite author would be; Sidney Sheldon. In fact, one of the first novels I read was by him and I couldn’t put the book down from the first page. Since then I have read so many (if not all) of his work because the style of writing is just so captivating and intriguing; it literally takes you on a journey that is indescribable.
5. What charity do you support? The Theatre Guild of Guyana is a non-profit organisation and it was one of the first places where I was given the opportunity to express myself as an Actor, so it is only right that I would make myself available whenever I am in Guyana and am called. Hopefully, in the not too distant future I will make more of a financial contribution for the upkeep and maintenance, since I am hardly ever in Guyana long enough to give back of myself.
6. What is on your bucket list? Well, I love travelling and there are specific countries on all seven continents I must visit before I leave this earth.
7. What is on your perennial to-do list? I want to do a lot more writing, producing and work with other producers across the Caribbean. This is going to be challenging since I am also trying to focus on finishing my first degree and then go on the Masters, but fingers crossed, I will be able to stage at least two major productions annually.
8. Who are your Caribbean heroes? I would have to give that to veteran Guyanese actors; Jennifer Thomas and Henry Rodney. Jennifer knows this because she and I are such good friends now, but it all started out with her being one of my acting teachers and is always pushing and encouraging me to do better and be better at my craft. Henry Rodney, also one of my drama coaches, on the other hand, has a resume like no one else in Guyana in terms of entertainment and I strive to be like him someday.
9. Who is on the guest list for your ideal dinner party? Now, this might be a very long list if I don’t control myself, however, if I should break it down to six or seven then Oprah Winfrey, Mariah Carey, Angella Bassett, Halle Berry, Denzel Washington and the late Nelson Mandela. If only I was privileged to bask in the presence of this talented, phenomenal, successful group of people……I’m sure I would be so much in awe, I might even faint. But, yes, that would be my ideal dinner party.
10. What quote do you live by? “Man give you the awards, but God gives you the reward” – Denzel Washington.
11. What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you? Most people might not know this because of my profession and all, but I am extremely shy. I do not like crowds or even a crowded room. Over the years, I think I have become more comfortable with public speaking, but I still get very nervous before I go on stage. Weird, huh?
12. What is one thing you wish you knew when you were younger? I wish I knew how hard people had to work to achieve their goals, especially if it’s hard to attain. I like to dream big, I quite simply couldn’t think small but you can have the biggest of dreams and they will never come to fruition if you don’t apply yourself to hard work in order to achieve it.
13. What would you want to say to the Caribbean about any one of these: Agriculture, Arts & Culture, Climate Change, HIV/AIDS, Tourism? It’s only natural that I speak on Arts and Culture. I believe there is a dire need for stronger support from governments as it relates to the Arts and Culture. Throughout the Caribbean, Jamaica and Trinidad might be the only countries where artists of all art forms can earn a decent living in their field of specialty. The Caribbean is such a unique place with a melting pot of cultures. Just imagine what could happen if we had stronger support from governments – perhaps, more institutions to hone the skills of upcoming artists and performers; and more opportunities for showcases on a larger scale maybe, just maybe, we would have several more icons who could be recognised instantly from people across the world. Think big, support the Arts.
14. Any final words? Believe in yourself, set goals that scare you to death and work hard to achieve them. Don’t settle for mediocrity – when all is said and done, you and only you understand what it feels like to lay in bed, tormented about all the things you could have and should have done.
