The 'trying actor' makes his foray into production

Marcia Rowe, Gleaner Writer

Had it not been for a guidance counsellor at his alma mater, Happy Grove High School in Portland, Dennis Titus' talent might have been lost to the sea.

Today, he is considered among the more talented Jamaicans to have graduated from the Jamaica School of Drama (JSD), one of the schools forming the Edna Manley School of the Visual and Performing Arts (EMC). And his story rivals some of the characters that he has played over the years.

In his first interview since returning to Jamaica, he shared his compelling story with The Sunday Gleaner.

Many years ago, Titus, the young fifth former, when asked by the school's guidance counsellor, if he had decided on his career path after graduation, replied "I am not sure, maybe a fisherman like my grandfather."

Wise counsel

Unfazed, the guidance counsellor instead directed his student, who had spent many hours running on the beach, into the world of acting. However, still unsure about his chance to get into an institution that he had never heard of, Titus started to make preparation for his career as a fisherman.

His plans, though, were altered when he was called for an audition, though he had no idea what for.

"I went to the audition and it seemed as if the people at JSD saw in me what the guidance counsellor had seen in me. I was accepted, and the rest is history," said Titus.

Titus completed his three-year programme at JSD.

Unlike the case with many an actor, Titus didn't have a problem being employed.

As a member of the cast of Ginger Knight's Whiplash, he went to England on a six-month tour and stayed for 10 years.

"I made the decision to leave [Jamaica] because I thought I had done all that was to be done on the local scene. It turned out to be a very good decision. I went to England at a good time. The theatre scene was in its infancy. I did a lot of work," Titus explained.

In addition to stage performances, his works in England included television series The Bill and Holby City. He also started his own company, Show Time, and produced original plays Matie, Coming to England and Illegal Immigration.

Another move

After 10 years, Titus made another move. This time he was given the opportunity to work on a project in the United States of America - Atlanta, to be exact.

Unfortunately, this offer came at the start of the recession in the United States and the project was put on hold.

"It was like putting my life on hold. I was caught between the devil and the deep blue sea."

However, not one to keep his eggs in one basket, Titus got himself qualified, and opened a spa in the hope of achieving another of his life's ambitions - owning a chain of spas. But apart from the fact that the venture turned out to not to be financially viable, Titus said, "What I missed more than anything else was acting." And once again, he returned to his calling, and performed in two films The Dippa and The River Maiden.

While rehearsing for one of the films, Titus bought a camera. That move led to the realisation that, "What I'd really like to do is to start a production company in a particular genre, an amalgamation of theatre and cinema."

This was something Titus had experimented with in England.

In the middle of his first production, he packed up and headed for Jamaica. "Jamaica is the only place I feel comfortable calling home," he articulated.

However, his first production, titled Big Tree, Small Axe, did not reflect his need to merge theatre and cinema.

"I knew I have to be careful, I would have to try and re-understand and reacclimatise to the Jamaican theatre," Titus explained about first effort.

The astute thespian has also observed that there are some changes in the local theatre scene.

"What stood out is that you cannot mount a play and expect people to walk up and purchase tickets unless it is a roots play.

While Titus takes no issue with the popular play (his term for roots plays), "I like to tell a good story, I like food-for-thought theatre."

Another observation he noted is the tendency by theatre companies to use the same group of

people.

"Before leaving Jamaica, young actors had the opportunity to audition for a part, now it is who knows who."

But Titus understands why and, as a new producer, he will have to go through the process.

"All I am is a trying actor, nothing more, nothing less."