By Ashraf Dabie
A popular adage states: “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” For young actress Jemima Holmes this saying has been her inspiration as she pushes forward in her pursuits of a career in theatre, not only locally but on the international stage.
For this 19-year-old, her love for the performing arts began years ago as a result of her early exposure to theatre. A mother and daughter tradition has taken Holmes to local annual comedy production, “The Link Show”, for as long as she can remember. Consequently, her interest in drama grew stronger, which propelled her on stage.
Her experience in dancing at Church and compiling stacks of poems during her pastime, the young actress received her long awaited debut during her secondary education at Queen’s College.
In 2012, Holmes, along with a group of friends, was given an unexpected opportunity of representing their school at the first annual National Drama Festival. This experience, despite it being a major challenge, was a learning adventure for the young actress, which probably paved the way for the successes she enjoyed the years that followed.
A mere two years later, the determined artiste tried her hand at the very platform once again, and this time came closer to the prize, having gained two nominations at the National Drama Festival in 2014.
Shortly after, Holmes decided to take on theatre arts as one of her CSEC subjects, a decision that set her on the path of becoming the award-winning actress she is today.
Holmes was awarded her first ‘Best Actress’ title at Bishops’ High School during her first year of Sixth Form. This was when Holmes took on the lead female role in the American farce, “Rumors”, as part of the school’s annual Inter-house Drama Competition. Her crowd-raving performance not only earned her the coveted title, but with the support of a power-packed cast, the production was adjudged the winning ensemble at that competition.
The year 2015 was definitely a fulfilling one for the young actress as she recorded yet another milestone after placing among the top 10 performers across the region at the first ever sitting of Performing Arts (Drama) at the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE).
Several public appearances and noteworthy performances later, Holmes, after high school, was eager to make it big on her own, with the Nation Drama Festival being her most fitting opportunity. Subsequently, she entered her debut production, “Tenement Yard”, and as a product of her writing and directing, the 19-year-old won herself the Best Actress award in the Debutant Category, proving that determination is the key to realising goals.
“I’d like to think that I’m just a simple person, but whenever I turn any space into a stage that changes. When I decided to enter the Drama Festival last year, it was all for the kicks. It was my first time writing on my own. It was a truly humbling experience and I learned so much in such a short time,” Holmes said in an interview with Sunday Times Magazine.
This year the young actress returned to the stage to defend her title, and that she did.
Even after accomplishing one of her biggest goals and doing so twice in a row, the 19-year-old stated: “Winning this award two years in a row is more of a shock than anything else. I never expected to get an award. I hope yes, but I always try never to expect it.”
Holmes added that winning this year’s award required “the hardest work” she has ever invested.
“This was because I was no longer in a space where I was with my school friends and I wasn’t the one directing. However, I always try to leave my heart on the stage, and so far it has always worked well for me. I don’t know for sure what I’ll be doing in the future but I hope it’s something drama related. I desperately want to study theatre on an international level, but that plan is on hold for now. What I’m sure of is putting myself out there more, not just with plays but my poems. And I know for sure that the next Drama Festival, I’m coming with more determination than ever,” Holmes declared.
