EXPRESSION COLLECTIVE 3Canal: - Focusing on Visual Art and Theatre

Information from our first Blog We, Expression Collective, opened with a simple background of these men and how they came to form their group, 3-Canal. Also, we elaborated on their use of Music and Dance in their career thus far, knowing that both these art discplines have a connection. Through Jab-molassie and Rapso they impacted the Creative and Festival market, definitely “making a statement”

Introduction to 3 Canal’s use of Theatre and Art Why Theatre ? It was only natural that they broadened their performance disciplines from Music and dance to theatre, knowing that they were all previously heavily involved in it. Mr. Wendell Manwarren, prior to the group’s birth, was a two time Cacique award winner for Best Actor. It was during the period of 1994-1997 that the three core members came to find John Issacs, through musical theatre work with Derek Walcott in, ‘Joker of Seville, Ti Jean and his brothers’ and etc. They were also still working alongside Peter Minshall and encountered Stanton Kewley, today one of the front-line members of 3Canal. John Isaacs become the fourth member of the group as 3Canal was first a quartet of singers.

A BIG BLACK BOX The ‘ Big Black Box’ is one of there more recent activities but links their theatre and performance histories. 33 Murray Street, Woodbrook was home to Godfrey Sealey, former playwright, actor, producer and A.I.D.S activist; showing that this space has a long blessed history of theatre production. 3Canal mainly uses theatre as a form of voicing and addressing political issues in our twin-island. Through this development of ‘The Black Box’ it backs some of theatre’s authenticity, with the shows being able to fully express themselves. The main idea behind the Big black box is to mentor, train and develop other practitioners in the industry.

3 Canal’s known Theatre performances 3 Canal became known for some of their theatre productions such as: More Love, Big Love Squad Pappyshow Posse JAM IT!

Achievements In Theatre Most Outstanding Set Design: Sean Leonard for The 3Canal JAM-IT! Show Most Outstanding Lighting Design: Celia Wells for The 3Canal JAM-IT! Show Most Outstanding Sound Design: Wendell Manwarren for The 3Canal JAM-IT! Show Most Outstanding Costume Design: The Cloth & Anya Ayoung-Chee for The 3Cannal JAM-IT! Show Most Outstanding Original Script: Wendell Manwarren for The 3Canal JAM-IT! Show Most Outstanding Director: Wendell Manwarren for The 3Canal JAM-IT! Show

Achievements Cont’d Most Outstanding Supporting Actress: Cecilia Salazar as The Queen in The 3Canal JAM-IT! Show Most Outstanding Supporting Actor: Kamal Rashad as Cutaway Rimbeau in The 3Canal JAM-IT! Show Most Outstanding Actress: Penelope Spencer as Bodecia in The 3Canal JAM-IT! Show; Most Outstanding Actor: Marlon de Bique in Multiple Roles in The 3Canal JAM-IT! Show and Wendell Manwarren for The 3Canal JAM-IT! Show. Most Outstanding Production: The 3Canal JAM-IT! Show by Cut + Clear Productions Ltd

Visual Art with 3Canal Monochrome in art is where the artist focuses and one color to create the scene. 3Canal has used the medium of oil paint through monochrome also known as “en grisaille” in the French terms, in their first hit ‘Blue’. They have also represented Trinidad and Tobago by showcasing our national colours (red, white and black) in their song ‘Revolution’. This expresses that the citizens are proud that we gained freedom when we took our independence August 31st 1962. Those national colours of red, black and white, used in their video symbolizes the fire (the sun represent courage) earth (representing dedication) and water (representing purity and equality).

Visual Arts cont’d 3Canal continues to use collage with their music, collage is an art work that is made up of different forms to create a whole new image that is still similar to the subject. Collage has passed the boundaries of art in music through recording technology. It is the mix of musical instruments: the melody, bass, vocals etc. to create the rhythms of songs. 3Canal has used art to help promote their music in their videos on their CD, banners, website, shirts and stage performances.  Their music have the same effect of abstract presentation where they break away a little from the traditional representation of the arts. The song talk your talk give us an Imagery of how society is while the music video show us their impression of how they see society.

Connection in Theatre and in with 3 Canal The Big Black Box has meshed Theatre and Art by including the spaced used for theatre as an art display as well. It is meant to be used as a rehersal, performance and display space for all the art forms,

3 Canal’s Quote “We as a nation need to liberate the arts by supporting our own productions whether it may be music, theatre or film. Free the arts!” - Stanton Kewley (3Canal group member)