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CURRICULUM VITAE
Name: Sonia Suzette Williams 7 Grand View Heights
Shop Hill
St Thomas
Barbados (246) 237 74997
QUALIFICATIONS
POST GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN HIGHER EDUCATION TEACHING AND
LEARNING University of the West Indies Cave Hill 2012
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN THEATRE ARTS AND WOMEN STUDIES, Hamilton College
Clinton New York 1989
HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA Brooklyn Technical High School Brooklyn New York 1985
Major (Chemistry)
DANCE EDUCATION
Edna Manley College for the Visual and Performing Arts, Dance Summer Program 2011
Caribbean Folk, Modern Techniques, Afro-Cuban 1996-1997 Jamaica
Hamilton College Modern Techniques, Kinesiology, Choreography 1985-1989 Clinton, New
York
The Barbados Dance Theatre Caribbean Folk, Modern, Afro-Cuban Barbados 1990-1992
WRITERS WORKSHOPS
Callaloo Journal Writers Workshop, Fiction University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, May
2016
Writer in Resident Cropper Foundation Creative Writers Residential Workshop Trinidad May
2012
Writers’ Workshop in Fiction University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, Barbados, 2001
Writers’ Workshop in Poetry University of the West Indies Cave Hill, Barbados. 1998
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WORKSHOP
Workshop for Teachers of CXC in Theatre Arts Trinidad & Tobago 2000
AWARDS & FELLOWSHIPS
Roland Edwards Prize for contribution to the development of the Performing Arts in
Barbados 2016
Community Service Award Sankofa Productions, St. Peter, Barbados 2005
Governor General Award For Excellence In Drama National Independence Festival of the
Creative Arts, Professional Category, Barbados 1998
Actress of the Year Character: Marie Ange, Play: Your Handsome Captain by Simone Swartz
Bart Directed by Earl Warner Barbados 1993
Thomas J. Watson Fellowship to Nigeria U.S.A 1989
Samuel Babbitt Kirkland Prize in Theatre Hamilton College, Clinton New York,U.S.A. 1988
Karen Williams Prize in Theater Hamilton College, Clinton New York, U.S.A1987
Award of Merit Brooklyn Technical High School Brooklyn, New York, U.S.A 1985
Most Recent Post
Lecturer: August 2008- July 2013
Errol Barrow Center for the Creative Imagination U.W.I. Cave Hill Responsible for teaching:
Introduction to Theatre, Directing Performance, Ensemble, Critical Foundations in the Arts,
Acting for Stage and Screen, Directing yearly performances, Advising Capstone Thesis for all
Senior Theatre students, Produced the Ensemble Production for 4 years, Organized the visit to
Mona Campus for the Tallawah festival for 3 years, served on Curriculum Development
Committee, Recruitment of New Students Committee, auditioned and interviewed new students,
Assisted Part-time Lecturers, temporary and guest lecturers to acclimatize to the program and
processes involved in teaching and assessment standards within the university system.
Founder & Director of Expressive Arts Productions Transforming the world through artistic excellence.
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A production company that facilitates the development of the Performance Arts and the Literary
Arts by offering the services of tuition, mentoring, consultancy and personnel such as Front of
House, Players, Stage Managers, Directors, Writers, Property Makings, Set Designers and
Producers, to ensure successful performance events,
RECENT CONTRACTS & PROGRAMS :
National Coach National Independence Festival 2016 Theatre Arts Competition 2016
National Judge Literary Arts Poetry 2016
Combermere Secondary School, Teacher: English, English Literature, Theatre Arts,
Communication Studies, September -December 2016
Writer Documentary working title "Blood in the Rock: The Development of Indigenous
Performance Culture in Barbados" Clients: Pinelands Creative Workshop & Michelle Springer
Research Officer N.C.F, A Oral History Project. July - August 2016
Writer/Deviser & Director From Bussa to Barrow & Beyond: National Production for the 50th
Anniversary of Independence . April 16th 2016
Facilitator National Development Workshop for Stagecraft & Directing who participate in
N.I.F.C.A, May 31st 2016
Facilitator National Developmental Workshop for Writers who participate in N.I.F.C.A, June 1st
2016
Drama Tutor Youth Achieving Results, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Culture, April-
November 2016
Artist in Resident Cermes U.W.I. Cave Hill, June – November 2016
Manager Hastings Farmers Market, Open every Wednesday & Saturday, Nov.2015- July 2016
Writer Proposals for International Funding for a Private Company (Confidential) May 2016 -
Mentor Literary Arts Desk, Playwrights Incubator 2016, Mentee: Francine Bradshaw N.C.F
May to June 2016
Drama Tutor Youth Achieving Results Program, October 2014-May 2015
Teacher Cape Performing Arts Queen’s College September 2014- May 2015
Director N.C.F. Literary Arts Desk, Playwright’s Incubator 2015, Dramatic Stage Reading of
New Play, Mathew Murrell Mentee, N.C.F. April 2015
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Artistic Director Tribute to Kamau Brathwaite, The Inaugural Kamau Brathwaite’s Lecture
Cultural Studies, Department of Humanities, U.W.I. Cave Hill. March 2015
Consultant Venezuelan Embassy, Produced Two Performance Events, March 2015,
Consultant Haynesville Community Group. Development in Choreography and Storytelling
May 2015
Consultant Barbados Association of Drama Educators B.A.D.E. Attended the Production Skills
Practical Exam School Based Assessment for CSEC at 13 Schools, wrote a Report assessing the
performance, made recommendations to address the needs of the teachers and the students and
recommended a play to represent Barbados at the Caribbean Secondary Schools Drama Festival
2015.
Panel Critique Launch of The Butterflies’ Coat by Ronald Williams National Library services
Bridgetown 2015
Private Tutor 10 week workshop in Literature for two 4th form students of Queens College
2015
Facilitator 10 Week Directing & Acting Technique Workshop October - December 2014
National Coach N.I.F.C.A Theatre Arts October –November 2014 & 2015
N.I.F.C.A. Judge Literary Arts Plays: Adult Poetry, Children’s Poetry October- November
2014 & 2015
Ghost Writer Manuscript,Working Title: The Triune Vision - A Memoir of Prince Nna Nna’s
life, his participation in the Grenadian Revolution, his roles as the Honorable Maurice Bishop’s
body guard, trainer of the Revolutionary army, one of the leaders in the Nyahbinghi order, and
his visions and works as a Nyahbinghi priest throughout the English-speaking Caribbean. 2014-
2015
Facilitator National Writers Workshop Series, Performance Poetry Workshop, August 2014
Children of the Sun Production Easter Camp Director of the Camp, Teacher & Administrator,
Children of the Sun Productions, Easter Performing Arts School, Good Shepherd Primary 2014
(10 members of Staff)
Mentored Six artist 2014-2015
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TEACHING EXPERIENCES
Lecturer BFA Program E.B.C.C.I. University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Barbados
2008-2013
Part-time Tutor Drama Elective General Studies, Barbados Community College 2005- 2007
Part-time Tutor Associate Degree in Theater Arts-Barbados Community College (History of
Theatre, Acting, Voice and Speech, Stage Management, Theatre Portfolio) 1994-1995, 1999-
2001, 2004, 2002-2008, 2013
Acting Tutor Workshop for Actors-The Actors Workshop Private Studio Barbados 1999-2004
Tutor 30 hour Workshop for Teachers: Teaching Theatre Arts for CXC, Foundation High
School, Barbados 2003
Drama Teacher Garrison Secondary School Barbados 1999-2003
Tutor Self-Empowerment & Professional Development Workshop for Caddies, Sandy Lane
Hotel, 80 Students, (10 weeks) 1999
Part-time Tutor Drama for Personal Development, Barbados Youth Service
1993-1995, 1999
Tutor Drama & Culture Dottin Academy Barbados 1999
Tutor Acting Workshop, Mile & a Quarter Community Group (10 weeks), Barbados 1998
Tutor Voice & Speech Workshop Radio Announcers, Voice of Barbados 1998
Theater Arts Tutor Edna Manley College for the Visual & Performing Arts
Tutor in the Associate Degree in Theatre Arts, Drama in Education & Certificate in
Theatre Arts Program,
Subjects taught: History of Theatre, Introduction Acting Technique, Intermediate Acting
Technique and Advanced Acting Techinique, Voice and Speech, Playmaking: Using
Caribbean Cultural forms as a source for creating Theatre, Directing, Acting for Dancers
Jamaica 1995-1997
Acting Tutor, Youth Entrepreneurship Training Program, Acting Workshop in Communities,
Trinidad & Tobago 1995
Acting Teacher National Cultural Foundation, Drama Workshops for Community
Development, Speighstown Community Center, 1993, New Orleans Community Center,
Barbados 1994
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PLAYS - WRITER & OR DIRECTOR
Crop Over Read-In: In the Spirit Director Sonia Williams, Producer: N.C.F. The Steel Shed,
Barbados, June 2014
The Life of Princess Magogo A One Act Play, Writer Thobekile Mbanda, Playwright’s Mentor
& Director Sonia Williams, Producers: Sonia Williams & Thobekile Mbanda, The Steel Shed,
Barbados, October 2013
Embodied Knowing Choreopoem Writer & Director Sonia Williams, Cultural Exchange,
Walcott Warner Theatre University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Barbados & Cuba 2012
Shepherd Full Length Play Writer Rawle Gibbons, Director Sonia Williams University of the
West Indies, Cave Hill 2012 Walcott Warner Theatre University of the West Indies, Cave Hill
2013
Da Kink in my Hair Writer Trey Anthony, Director Sonia Williams, Experimental
Environmental Concept, George Lamming Pedagogical Centre University of the West Indies
Cave Hill 2010
“Nou Led Nou La”: “We are ugly but we are here” Compiled by Dr. Yanique Hume Director
Sonia Williams, Fund Raiser for the people of Haiti after the earthquake in 2010, Walcott
Warner Theatre, University of the West Indies, Cave Hill 2010
Excerpts from Missa Solemnis Writer Kamau Braithwaite Performance Art Piece Director &
Performer Sonia Williams, Faculty of Humanities and Education, Walcott Warner Theatre
University of the West Indies, Cave Hill. 2010
Odale’s Choice Writer Kamau Braithwaite Director Sonia Williams Walcott Warner Theatre
University of the West Indies, Cave Hill 2008
Odale’s Choice Restaged: Carifesta X Georgetown, Guyana August 22nd-31st 2008,
Sugar Pain Blues Team of Writers Mathew Murrell, Shawn Greene, Hazel Charles, Sonia
Williams, Director Sonia Williams UWI Cave Hill 2008
Sugar Pain Blues Restaged Tallawah Festival, Philip Sherlock Centre for the Creative Arts,
University of the West Indies Mona Jamaica 2008
Excerpts from - Drums and Colors: An Epic Play Writer Derek Walcott, Director Sonia
Williams,Walcott Warner Theatre University of the West Indies, Cave Hill
Return to the Source (Adaptation of poetry from Kamau Braithwaite “Mask” for the stage)
Compiled by Dr. Ikeal Tafari, Structured by Sonia Williams Director Sonia Williams
Commissioned by Ministry of Youth Affairs and Culture and the Commission for Pan-African
Affairs, Emancipation Day, The Barbados Museum 2006
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Children of Negus Writers: Bruce St. John, Compiled by Dr. Ikeal Tafari Structured by Sonia
Williams Director Sonia Williams Commissioned by Ministry of Youth Affairs and Culture and
the Pan-African Commission for Emancipation Day Frank Collymore Hall Barbados 2004
Jean & Dinah who have been locked away in a world famous Calypso since 1956 Speaks their
minds Publicly Writer Tony Hall Director Sonia Williams Morningside Barbados Community
College Portfolio Barbados 2004
Mash up Can’t Buy Back, Multimedia Performance Piece Writer & Director Sonia Williams
Garrison Secondary School Barbados 2002
Strappings One Act Play Writer and Director Sonia Williams Garrison Secondary School
Barbados 2001
City Nights Central Bank Choir Director Sonia Williams Frank Collymore Hall Barbados 2001
Bridgetown Market, Dance-Drama Choreographed & Directed by Sonia Williams Garrison
Secondary School Barbados 1999
Ancestral Call, a Multi-Media Performance Piece, Writer & Director Sonia Williams Garrison
Secondary School Barbados 1999
Orinoco Flow, Choreographer Sonia Williams Garrison Secondary School Barbados 1999
Amandala, Full length Play Writer & Director Sonia Williams Dennis Scott Theatre Edna
Manley College for the Visual and Performing Arts Jamaica 1997
3 Points off Center, A One Woman Play, Writer, Director & Performer Sonia Williams Philip
Sherlock Centre for the Creative Arts University of the West Inides, Mona Jamaica International
Woman’s Day 1997
Excerpts from - For Colored Girls who have Considered Suicide when the Rainbow is Enuf, Writer Ntozake Shange Director Sonia Williams Dennis Scott Theater Edna Manley College for
the Visual and Performing Arts Jamaica 1997
After Eden Ecstasy Revisited Team of Writers: Michelle Springer, Margaret Brito, Helen
Carnegie, Amanda Cumberbatch, Complied & Directed by Sonia Williams Cave Hill Theatre
Workshop, Lecture Theatre, University of the West Indies Barbados 1995
Pilgrimage to Freedom Martha’s Vineyard United States of America 1994,
Pilgrimage to Freedom Restaged, One Woman Show, Writer Director & Performer Philips and
Fraser’s Bar, Trinidad & Tobago 1995
Pilgrimage to Freedom Restaged, Trinidad Theatre Workshop, Carifesta IX Trinidad & Tobago
1995
Pilgrimage to Freedom Restaged, Casa de la Comedia Cuba 1996.
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Stage Roles Played
Nen & Mama Neza Carnival Medea Writer Rhoma Spencer & Dr. Shirlene Holmes, Director Rhoma
Spencer Little Carib Theatre Trinidad Feb-march 2017
Ma No Country for a White Hero Writer Sir Hilary Beckles, Director Harclyde Walcott, Warner
Walcott Theatre University of the West Indies Cave Hill Barbados 2014
Doll Sarah Ann Gill: Mother of the Nation Writer Sir Hilary Beckles, Director Harclyde Walcott
Warner Walcott Theatre University of the West Indies Cave Hill Barbados ???
Chorus (Actress, Singer, Dancer) It So Happen Suite Writer Timothy Callender, Director
Ayesha Gibson, Diaspora Arts Production Frank Collymore Hall Barbados 2010
Yemaya Okunte Seven Tonalities of Blue Created by Musical Theatre Students, Director
Leandro Soto, Warner Walcott Theatre University of the West Indies Cave Hill 2010
Helen Hot Flashes Creator & Director Henk Tjon, Daphne Joseph Hackett Theatre, Barbados
2000
Amope The Trials of Brother Jero Writer Wole Soyinka, Staged Reading for Wole Soyinka’s
visit, The Company Limited, Philip Sherlock Center for the Creative Arts University of the West
Indies Mona Jamaica 1997
Woman 2 Voices Compiled & Directed by Fabian Thomas, Dennis Scott Theatre Edna Manley
College for the Visual and Performing Arts, Jamaica 1997
Wuk-up/Spirit of Crop Over Fat Pork Writer Earl Warner & Joan Belfon , Director Earl
Warner Daphne Joseph Hackett Theatre Barbados 1995
Isabella You Tink I mad Miss? Writer Olive Senior, Director Rhoma Spencer, Phillips and Fraser
Trinidad & Tobago 1995
One Woman Show Pligrimage to Freedom Writer, Director, Performer, Sonia Williams
Trinidad Theatre Workshop Carifesta Trinidad & Tobago 1995
Crack Annie Crack Annie Writer Ntozake Shange, Director Earl Warner, Daphne Joseph
Hackett Theatre Barbados 1995
Bajan Woman 1, Dancer, Singer, Bajan Cocktails Created through a process of Improvisation
with players, Scripted & Directed by Winston Farrell Barbados, Martha’s Vineyard United States
of America, 1994
Marie-Ange Your Handsome Captain Writer Simone Swartz-Bart, Director Earl Warner,
Daphne Joseph Hackett Theatre Barbados 1993
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Grandmother & Cissie Growing up stupid under the Union Jack Writer Austin Tom Clarke,
Director Earl Warner, Daphne Joseph Hackett Theatre Barbados 1993
Girl Lights Compiled & Directed by Earl Warner, Ward Theatre Jamaica 1990
Ilinda Heartbeat Writer & Director Winston Farrell, Esso Plays Competition Winner, Steel Shed
Queens Park, Barbados 1990
Readings & Poetry Performance
Tribute Hugo Chavez Commissioned Performance Poetry Piece, Featured Poet, Venezuelan Embassy
Christ Church, Barbados 2014
Green Readings Featured Poet June 2013, Arts Etc. Hastings Christ Church Barbados
Tribute to Martin Luther King Commissioned piece for Gala Performance Gale Theatre of
London and Barbados, Play The Mountaintop Writer Katori Hall, Director Hanna Berrigan,
Frank Collymore Hall Barbados 2013
Tribute to Marcus Garvey Pan African Coalition of Organizations, Pelican Village St Michael
Barbados August 2013
Night of the Griot Featured Artist Crop Over Festival Event, Barbados Museum, Barbados 2009
Rhythms and Song Featured Artist, An evening of Visual Arts and Poetry, Arlington House
Barbados 2004
Tribute to Ricky Parris Commission of Pan African Affairs La Careenage, Barbados 2003
Earth Root Jazz El Vernon Del Congo Daphne Joseph Hackett Theater Barbados 2002
Tribute to the Elders Sankofa Productions Director Danny Hinds Barbados 2002
Earl Warner Trust Fundraising Featured Poet Barbados 2001
Reflections on the Blue Poetry and Musical Performances on a Yacht, Producer Oneika Small
Barbados 2000
May Day National Celebrations Queens Park Barbados 2000
National Library Readings, Featured Writer Speightstown Library Barbados 1999
Barbados Writer’s Collective, Featured Writer The Barbados Museum Barbados 1999
National Cultural Foundation Parish Read-Ins, Featured Artist, The Fisherman’s Pub
Barbados 1999
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Turn on the Music, Turn off the Drugs Concert, Frank Collymore Hall Barbados 1999
Barbados Folk Concert The Barbados Museum Barbados 1999
Sister Circle Gathering Featured Artist Sistren Collective Kingston, Jamaica 1997
Poetry & Jazz Seretse and Friends Edna Manley College for the Visual and Performing Arts
Kingston, Jamaica 1997
Royal Vessels Commisioned Poetry Piece, Basket Exhibition, Queen’s Park Art Gallery Ireka
Jelani Barbados 1995
Barbados Folk Concert, The Steel Shed Barbados 1992
FILMS
Hippolyte Caribbean Dreams Writer & Director Shakirah Bourne, Caribbean Films Productions
Ltd. 2015
Irene, Sweet Bottom Writer & Director Gladstone Yearwood E.B.C.C.I / UWI Cave Hill 2011
Priestess, The Triangle TBS Superstation Movie of the Week, Director, Lewis Teague Canada
1997
Literary Publications
This Too Will Pass A Novella, Publishers: Caribbean Chapters & Expressive Arts Production,
July 2014
Passage Way (short story) & The Unspoken( poetry) POUI Cave Hill Journal of Creative
Writing Number XI, Editor Jane Bryce 2010
Blind Mortise & Tenon a short story Hear Nuh! A Publication of the 2001Workshop in
Creative Writing, Department of Language, Linguistics and Literature, U.W.I. Barbados 2001
“The Fusion of African Rites and Belief System and the English Presence in the Development
of the Barbadian Characters in the Theater” Tablas Revista del Consewjo National de las Artes
Escenias Editor Yana Elsa Brugal, Havana, Cuba 1997
MANUSCRIPTS The Vehicle Short Film 2013
Embodied Knowing Collection of Performance Poetry 2012 (Produced Barbados & Cuba 2013)
Singing ova’ de Bones Collection of Monologues, Short Stories, Poems 2007
Nation Song Full Length Play 2005
A-Mandala Full length play (Produced 1997 Jamaica)
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Three Points Office Center One Woman Play (Produced 1997 Jamaica)
Pilgrimage to Freedom Collection of Performance Poetry 1995
The Ritual Full Length Play Produced Hamilton College 1989
CONFERENCES ATTENDED & PAPERS PRESENTED
Association of Cultural Studies Crossroads Conference, Panel: Beyond the Crossroads:
Revolutionizing Caribbean Identities “The Action of Inclusion Legitimizing King Dyal’s
Performance- Re-conceptualizing Signifying Practices in the Theatrical Discourse” Jamaica July
3rd -8th 2008
Caribbean Studies Association Conference Theme: Centering the Caribbean in Caribbean
Studies Panel J29 Cultural Shifts: Interrogations, Shifts, Centres: Locating our Caribbean in
Caribbean Studies “Liminality in Caribbean Theatre: Voice, Agency and Action in the case of
King Dyal’s Theatre” Jamaica July 1st - 9th 2009
Regional Workshop: Towards National Strategies for Sustainable Heritage Tourism
Development in the Caribbean George Washington House Historical Environmental Dramatic
Piece, Researched, Compiled & Directed by Sonia Williams, Christ Church, Barbados Feb18th -
19th2008
The Seventh Workshop on Caribbean Theory and Criticism, Paper presented:
“Transatlantic Roots/Routes: Pedagogy for Teaching Kamau Braithwaite’s Odale’s Choice”
University of the West Indies Cave Hill Barbados December 8th 2010
RESEARCH ACTIVITIES
The Construction & Function of Traditional West African Performance.
De-centering the Western story of Theatre in the Academy and Re-conceptualizing
Performance from a Caribbean Centered Perspective.
The study of Drama and Performance of Ancient Egyptian
Performance in African- Caribbean Religions & Ritual Practices:: Ifa, Kumina, Revival,
Voodoun, Nine Nights.
Performance in everyday life: King Dyal
OUTREACH
2014-2015 Volunteered at 4 schools and read from my Novella This Too Will Pass
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February 2015 Volunteered at five schools to give workshops during Black History Month
February 2014 Volunteered at 14 primary and secondary schools and three churches during Black
History Month delivering lectures, performances and workshops.
2013 -2014
Volunteered with a class 2 from Good Shepherd Primary School once a week for a year, taught using
drama in education techniques.
2012-2013 Volunteered at Girls Industrial School every Saturday morning for two hours for six months.
I facilitated a Drama for Personal Development Workshop. At the end of six months I invited students
from my ensemble class in the Bachelor of Arts at Errol Brraow Center for the Creative Imagination to
participate as facilitators for a semester as part of their development. One student continued the work on
her own during her summer holiday.
COMMITEES
2016 Mount Piscah Spritual Baptist Church Black History Month Festival Committee
2013-2014 Core Committee Pan African Coalition of Organization: organize national events on
days of significance & educational and outreach programming.
2008-2016 Representative of Edna Manley College for the Visual and Performing Arts: Perform
auditions, invigilate and mark exams for students on the island applying to attend the college.
1999-2003 Barbados Community College Advisory Committee
REFERENCES
Lucille “Icil” Phillips
Hyperion
Upper Ifill Road
Flagstaff Road
St. Michael
246 238 5625, 426 0667
Rawle Gibbons
Senior Lecturer
Department of Creative Festival Arts
U.W.I. St. Augustine
Trinidad and Tobago
(868) 355 0966