A contingent of young Saint Lucian actors recently captivated audiences in Venezuela, showcasing the ‘Lucian’ art form with remarkable skill and artistry.
Saint Lucia’s YouthSPAC theatre group achieved critical acclaim for their commanding performance of ‘Mi Djab La’ at the 2025 International Festival of Progressive Theatre (FITP) in Caracas, Venezuela.
In April, their bold and culturally rich production stood out for its originality and artistic quality, driven by the powerful energy of the young cast. The group’s participation in this prestigious Latin American festival was a proud milestone for Saint Lucia, effectively showcasing local talent on an international stage and solidifying the island’s reputation for artistic excellence.
‘Mi Djab La’, written and directed by renowned Saint Lucian artist Kentillia Louis, blended traditional Saint Lucian elements, such as La Mascarada, with modern music, movement, and costume design. Through three interwoven narratives, the piece allowed the audience to connect with their ‘djab’, an inner spiritual force essential to one’s life purpose.
Louis emphasised her vision: “In Saint Lucia, we have a popular tradition called La Mascarada, and with this play, I mixed the traditional with the contemporary. We modernised traditional costumes, incorporated modern music, and shared our culture with pride.”
This performance not only underscored the artistic depth of Saint Lucian theatre but also highlighted the transformative power of cultural exchange. Many young performers, some travelling beyond the region for the first time, returned home inspired and proud of their heritage.
This opportunity was made possible through a collaboration involving the Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in Saint Lucia, the Ministry of People’s Power for Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of People’s Power for Culture, and Venezuela’s National Theatre Company, all of whom worked tirelessly to ensure the logistical and artistic success of YouthSPAC’s presence at the festival.
Notably, ‘Mi Djab La’ premiered on January 25 during Nobel Laureate Week in Saint Lucia, as part of the 2025 Nobel Laureate Festival. The production received an enthusiastic response from local audiences and was also presented in schools as part of an educational theatre arts programme in preparation for the CXC CSEC exams.
At the event in Caracas, Venezuelan Vice Minister of Image and Space Arts, Mary Pemjean, presented YouthSPAC with a commemorative statuette of the festival, praising the group’s artistic vision and progressive themes, as well as their powerful stage presence.
This international appearance aligns with the growing revival of theatre in Venezuela, championed by President Nicolás Maduro, who actively supports the performing arts. The 2025 FITP welcomed 19 countries, 25 productions, 87 performances, 258 artists, 26 theatre companies, and over 600,000 spectators—a testament to theatre’s power and relevance across borders.
Upon returning to Saint Lucia, members of YouthSPAC expressed their gratitude and reflections. Young actor Cleyanus Jules stated, “Being part of an international festival in South America was simply fantastic.” Rohan Lewis highlighted the event’s exceptional hospitality: “I felt right at home. Everything, from the food to the treatment we received, was impeccable.”
Veteran actor Wilkie Anthony noted the universality of theatre: “It was enlightening to see how language barriers disappear on stage. Theatre allows us to connect beyond words.” He also cited inspiring performances, such as Hamlet with puppets, as evidence of theatre’s limitless creativity.
Actress Osiria Lee, known as Christal, described the experience as a moment of collective growth: “Meeting groups from different countries and experiencing how we all evolved through this opportunity was truly beautiful.” She praised the dedication of the Venezuelan technical team, who, despite the language barrier, were always willing to assist with a simple, “No problem.”
The Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela reaffirms its commitment to enhancing cultural exchange, serving as a vital pathway for constructing bridges of understanding, peace, and unity among the peoples of the Caribbean and Latin America.