Social media influencers take on theatre in new production ‘Pitchy Patchy’

Popular social media influencers Tanaania and TC are among the cast members of new theatre production, Pitchy Patchy.

A comedic and satirical theatre revue, Pitchy Patchy, which will run for four weeks, brings together some of Jamaica’s most popular social media influencers with some known theatre and film actors.

According to Tanaania, it was always a goal of hers to be part of a theatre production.

“Earlier this year, I told my manager a major goal of mine would be to be featured in a play. So, when the Pitchy Patchy team reached out, I had no reservations. I was ready,” said Tanaania, who had no prior experience in acting.

She believes Pitchy Patchy can open doors for her careerwise.

“I believe it can open more doors for me and provide me with new opportunities to grow and to learn.”

She gave an insight into what theatre lovers can expect from the production.

“You can expect something different! Expect to see my cast mates and myself in ways you’ve never seen us before and, of course, a bellyful of laughter and excitement!

She added, “I have multiple characters in the play. The hardest one being ‘Emily’, which is a far stretch from myself. I worked on perfecting her countless nights and asked my cast mates for advice on how to really make her ‘real’.

Tanaania, real name Tanaania Tahira Tracey, is a graduate of the Immaculate Conception High School and The University of the West Indies (UWI).

In recent years, she has utilised her position as an influencer to market and promote businesses with products and services through her creativity.

EXCITED ABOUT ROLE

TC, who has some experience in reality television (she was a member of the Dancehall Life cast), is excited to share her talent with theatre lovers.

“Well, it was actually Kasi, my manager, who brought the offer to me. She called me, and she said I have something for you, and I think you are going to like it. I was very excited because this is something that I really love and I have always wanted to do. A few months [ago], I expressed an interest that I wanted to do plays and some acting gigs,” TC disclosed.

The dancer-turned-influencer, whose real name is Keticia Chatman, said she found doing theatre challenging when compared to doing reality television.

“It’s completely different and extremely challenging. With Pitchy Patchy, I have a script with lines I have to study, and with [the] reality series, I was playing myself. In Pitchy Patchy, I am playing different characters with different personalities and language styles. Also, I will be performing live, so there is no room for mistakes,” she shared.

She continued, “Well, I think everyone knows I’m more than just a dancer now, and this will further showcase my capabilities. I want to walk away from this with an increase in my audience and also more exposure. I am thinking of the big screen! Yeah, dolly coulda hangle a movie!”

One of the characters that she plays is Deloris, a 70-year-old.

“Let’s just say it took me a few days to really get it, but now I have it,” said TC.

A graduate of the Queen’s High School, TC also attended the Garmex Academy (HEART/NSTA Trust), where she studied early childhood development.

Pitchy Patchy’s executive producers are Rayon McLean, Kingsley Morgan and Kasandra Henry. The production will run for the month of September at the Philip Sherlock Theatre at the UWI, Mona.