Genevieve left out the law to go after her passion in theatre arts with no regrets

Genevieve Ngosa Daniels came to Barbados nine years ago with a plan to study law. She ended up taking the Associate Degree in Theatre Arts at the Barbados Community College and ever since then her life has been on a new and exciting path.

The Guyana-born actor, model and now graduate of the American Academy ofDramatic Arts (AADA) and former student of St. Rose’s High School in Georgetown, said she was encouraged by close family friend, Ishiaka McNeil, to study Theatre Arts.

That was when she fell deeper in love with the artform.

“I thought it would be a great idea to study Theatre Arts since I had it at the CXC level. Why not spend the two years learning something I enjoyed and then get back to Law, which is essentially what I came to Barbados to study?

“I never got back to applying for law school,” she admitted with a chuckle.

Daniels always knew that she loved acting but was not sure about pursuing it as a career. However, that all changed after she launched into her studies at BCC unbeknownst to the elders in her family in Guyana.

“I knew that acting was something I loved doing and when I reflect on my formative years, I was introduced to performing arts at a rather early age. In Guyana, I would take part in a number of storytelling or drama competitions or short plays. I was also a dancer and on the gymnastics team at my primary school. My father is a videographer and graphic designer in Guyana so I grew up on sets with him and when he needed a child actor for a commercial or voiceover he would allow me to be in that process. My mother is an interior designer who became a florist when she moved to Barbados so I always enjoyed, subconsciously at least, learning from them and seeing how their passions fueled and to some extent, changed who they were, while creating my own kind of art.

However, a lot of that exploration was removed from my life when I attended high school as the idea of being an actor or anything remotely creative had not aligned with the beliefs of the elders in my family on how my potential could be truly actualized. And as such, they did what they figured would be best and wanted me to focus on academics and striving for more noble pursuits,” she said.

Despite their initial reluctance, Genevieve made her first acting debut at BCC in a production called Bajanism which was written and directed by Michelle Cox. It was the start of her career.

“Upon graduating from Barbados Community College, Varia Williams (Barbadian actress) reached out to me about working at Mustard Seed Productions which I was very excited about and gracefully accepted as it was a chance to do what I loved whilst working with kids. I also had the great pleasure of working with theatre arts practitioner, Icil Phillips at Shoestring Theatre Collective as well as Olivia Hall at Of Another Nature, Janelle Mitchell at SmartArts Room, Rashida Brereton at the Ursuline Convent School with the pantomimes, Tara-Jane Herbert of Eleve Performing Arts and the National Cultural Foundation.

“When I wasn’t teaching acting, I was on stage acting or behind the scenes or wherever the magic was happening. I began to see the craft not only as something that I could wholeheartedly pursue but I saw acting as activism; a mirror that you could hold up to society that they may look into, reflect and hopefully call to action change. This was especially true when I worked on Who Diablesse which was written by Luci Hammans and directed by Patrick Michael Foster; the cast, the story, the themes – thinking about it now still gives me chills.”

Daniels recalled that when the pandemic came, she started a YouTube channel where she told some of the Caribbean stories that were told to her as a child or those that she had learned from the many theatre arts practitioners with whom she crossed paths.

“I didn’t quite know what I was doing but I thought what is the worst that could happen? You make a fool out of yourself and if that’s the worst thing then that’s okay..I guess, but I’ll learn from the experience. I would write, record, edit, design flyers and posters and somehow rope my friends into helping me and each week I would upload a video to YouTube.

“It felt great creating my own work and using my voice, something I’ve always struggled with, but acting gave me that freedom and the reminder that my voice, my story, my truth – they matter. In 2020, I was invited to participate in a virtual Anase Sound Splash which was being held in Kingston, Jamaica. There I was able to meet and work alongside Dr. Amina Blackwood Meeks and I was elated.”

She recalled that in August 2021, she was sitting on the floor wondering where life would take her.

“How could I truly pursue my dream of being an actor where it’s not just a dream but my actual reality,” she recalled.

“I received an email from The American Academy of Dramatic Arts about an application I had started but never completed and I thought, why not? What’s the worst that can happen? I ask myself that specific question a lot as a way to challenge my fears and the subconscious self-limiting beliefs that I can sometimes have. It helps me to rule out if my fear is protecting me or hindering me and if I can take the risk as just another part of life.”

Daniels said she auditioned and was accepted while earning two scholarships.

“That was beyond anything I could ever have imagined would happen by taking that chance on myself. While those scholarships significantly lessened my tuition fees I had no idea how I would pursue this dream. I had written letters for grants and scholarships to both Barbados and Guyana since I became a CARICOM national hopeful that I would qualify for a scholarship but that was unsuccessful.

“Nonetheless, I left Barbados with no idea how I would truly finance this journey and for me that was scary, uprooting part of your life and starting over with nothing in place, yikes! I like moving when all the pieces are set or at least if I can see the entire staircase but this was different. I only saw one step and I had to take a leap of faith, I had to go out on a difficult limb and keep going to see if the other stairs were there or better, if there even was a staircase,” she said.

On her Instagram @genevieve.ngosa the actor states in her bio that she is a creator and believer, as she creates art using conscious competence and her creative imagination thus, it is not surprising that she is the recipient of The Charles Jehlinger Award for excellence in acting.

“Upon completing my training at the conservatory, I was awarded a place at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts’ Company which allows select students to do intensive training with industry professionals working in film, theatre, and television.

“I was alsothe recipient of the prestigious Charles Jehlinger award for excellence in acting. The award is given to students who come closest to embodying Jehlinger’s ideals by exhibiting excellence as a person and an artist in their craft, professionally.”

Jehlinger believed that, “a measure of an actor is not found in his or her facility, but in the actor’s stature as a human being”. Previous recipients of the award include Robert Redford, Grace Kelly, Danny Devito, Paul Rudd, Anne Hathaway and Jessica Chastain.

“It’s definitely an honour. To say I am grateful would be an understatement,” Daniels said.

She is thankful to have been able to represent both Guyana and Barbados and that her prayers and faith have allowed her to do it whilst being a role model for other young Caribbean nationals and a symbol of what they could achieve through perseverance and belief.

Daniels is filled with gratitude for the love and support of her mother and the others who believed in her.

“I would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to my mother, Melody Daniels and grandmother, Rose Daniels, for their belief and support; as well as Collin and Carol-Ann Rice and Dr. Ronald Knight for the unconditional love and safe spaces they created for me.”

Her siblings and others in her circle were also singled out for the role they played on her journey.

For those coming after her she encouraged them to reach for the stars to realise their dreams.

“It doesn’t matter where you’re from, your dream is possible, whatever is true for you in your heart, just remember: when God is in it, there is no limit.My hope for anyone reading this is that whatever you decide to do, know that you are enough as you are and what you bring to the table as a human is needed.

“Your voice matters, and when you get nervous or even question yourself or your worthiness, don’t. Don’t allow the fear to stop you from playing. That’s what I’ve been reminding myself of recently, I hope it can resonate with someone as well,” she said.

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