Q & A with Shari Petti

Growing up, Shari describes trips to the theatre as a “huge event” – she was always excited to see new productions and at her primary school, Lower Morvant Government, she was involved in many arts-related events and activities. “I would participate in choir, choral speaking, any short plays they would put on, I was there,” she recalls of her earliest memories of drama inspiring her life. It was during secondary school when she joined DMAD “because I was seeking an outlet to not only express myself more freely but also to take what was a hobby of mine more seriously.”

She says joining DAMD has had many positive impacts on her life as well as presented her with numerous opportunities to nurture her talent and help others. Her foray into the world of film started shortly after she left secondary school; she worked on a short film with comedian Errol Fabian and was also an extra on the set of Bazodee, which premiered this year at the Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival.

“While there, I was so intrigued by all the work that was happening behind the scenes that I asked one of the crew members if I could come on board as an intern,” she says of her drive to learn more about film. Since working as an intern onset, Shari has worked on commercials and movies, both behind the scenes and in front the camera.

She’s a second year Film Production student at UWI, and hopes to meld her technical skills learnt at tertiary level with her theatre and drama experience to promote Trinbagonian culture and create true representations of TT folks on our screens, stages, radio airwaves, and billboards for our proud consumption.

Today, Shari speaks with WMN about her work with DMAD, the support she believes young artists deserve in our nation, her thoughts on persons who come from “at risk” communities, and why working with children and spreading positive messages to and through them are paramount in her work.

How do you believe the arts and creativity can influence youth?

The arts and creativity has a major impact on youth, especially in this day and age where so much of what we hear and see is becoming more easily accessible. Messages, whether positive or negative, resonate with young audiences when sent through creative mediums and that’s why so often we unconsciously imitate what we see on television or hear on radio. What we see and hear on a daily basis shapes who we are as a people.

Much of your personal advocacy and work focuses on youth – what careful attention do you feel must be placed on our nation’s children?

Art and creativity is a major tool as it pertains to preserving cultural identity. It is crucial that young Trinidadians especially get to see themselves and our culture on television and in the cinemas, and hear our music on the radio more often, as we would develop a better understanding of who we are as a people and not have our culture washed away because we’re being fed so much foreign content. Also, I’ve noticed that so many of our young people are hurting, have problems at home, mental illness and so much more but have nobody to talk to about those problems or even how to treat them and as a result may act out in violence and other unhealthy habits. And that reaction is totally understandable too because Caribbean culture is so complacent about mental illness, they don’t take those issues seriously even though so many people are suffering. That is an issue that needs attention and needs to be treated and addressed just as seriously as any other physical illness.

In what ways have you seen the arts change your life for the better?

I am a much more confident person today, that’s for sure. It has made it easier for me to express my opinions, I feel more comfortable in my own skin, I have a better understanding of people and the way they function in the world. There was also a point in my life where I felt restricted and afraid about so many things and now while, yes I may have some fears – who doesn’t? – I no longer let them prevent me from doing what I want to do and taking risks and just trusting my abilities.

What is the most resounding response you have gotten from schoolchildren after a DMAD performance?

We specialise in a form of theatre called playback theatre, whereby we interact with the audience, hear their story, tackle whatever issues the specific group may be facing at the time whether it be bullying at a school, or problems at home, etc. and we help them solve their own problems through the medium. Every single time we perform I see a change just in the way a child would smile or seeing the student who was really uptight when we first enter and would not participate, eager to participate halfway through the session. My favourite encounter with children happened this past vacation where we spent a week performing and interacting with a group, many of whom were orphaned.

I was nervous at first because I know how sensitive their situation is and was worried about if they would be open to interacting with us. The first day was a little tough but by the second day they were running up to us, giving us hugs, some of the students who were bent on not participating were eager to participate. Some students even cried while relaying different experiences they faced at home and school and you could just tell that they needed someone to listen to them, even if we could not solve all of their problems right there and then. Some of them even took my contact and would call and chat every now and then. For me, experiences like those are exceedingly rewarding.

What are the passions that drive your life? How do you hone these passions every day?

I’m absolutely passionate about acting and have been ever since my days of watching plays when I was younger, and definitely film as well. Besides regular rehearsals with DMAD, I’ve also taken courses at the Trinidad Theatre Workshop, specifically the New Actors and the Advanced Actors workshops. I also read a lot of books about the craft. I watch a movie a day, sometimes two, and I’m always watching videos on YouTube with my favourite actors or actors I’ve seen in movies with outstanding performances - about how they prepare for their roles, challenges they face and more.

Can you tell us about being

a film student?

Currently I’m in my second year pursuing a BA in Film Production at the University of the West Indies. School for me has pushed me to actualise my ideas faster, since we work with due dates. I enjoy learning so much from my peers and lecturers, especially on the theoretical side of film, which I don’t get to learn on set. I’m excited to see how I develop and which department in film I decide to commit to. I believe school will definitely help me figure that out. I’m still very young, just starting up and have so much to learn and I’m definitely looking forward to the future.

And your Year 1 student film was screened at the TTFF this year, can you tell us what it’s about?

The film is my first year final project, which I wrote and directed and had the pleasure of working

You have worked with DMAD for the past 5 years doing something you love while helping to better the lives and experiences of others; how do you believe this affects your outlook on life?

Working with DMAD has been a life-changing experience for me. I’ve had the opportunity to work with and perform for people from all walks of life. One thing for sure is that it has taught me is to be more grateful for everything I have, selfless and more understanding of people. You never know what anyone is going through and there are so many people, especially young people, hurting but you would never know because they often don’t get the opportunity to express themselves or no one is willing to listen.

However, getting the opportunity to interact with people through the medium of theatre where people feel comfortable opening up, I learn so much and have a more sensitive approach while interacting with people. With DMAD, it’s not also about acting, I’m surrounded by a group of super-talented and genuine people, who all have the same agenda of provoking thought and stimulating change in society, and helping others along the way. Hence, the reason why we have no problem having a show and using the proceeds to help someone other than ourselves.

You mentioned you are from an “at risk” community yourself – how have your personal experiences shaped the ways in which you would like to help change the world for others?

Growing up in certain areas, in my case Morvant, small-minded people form their own ideas about you. Which is unfortunate because I know so many great people from my community doing some remarkable stuff and it’s saddening that some people still have stereotypes in their head about how people from certain areas are. For me it is and has always been important to shatter that stereotype, and change the way people think about us, while of course being myself and not thinking that I have to act a certain way in order to be accepted. I believe by staying focused on achieving my goals, it would help others to do the same, whatever their dream may be, and not think that just because people have their ideas of how you should turn out in life based on where you’re from, your socio-economic background, how you look, whatever, that you should live up to that stereotype.

Any last words, thoughts, or pieces of advice you would like to share?

Set no limits on what you can achieve, God would not put a thought in your mind if he knew it was not possible for you to fulfill it. Just keep working hard, with the right attitude and go after what you want even if people place their own insecurities on you by telling you that you can’t get what you want. The right people and opportunities will find their way to you.