Saturday, August 15, 2009

Randy McLaren,(’06), photo, former Excelsior Head Boy, rather than casually waiting for things to neatly fall into his lap, has decided to make things happen by  taking his fate into his own hands.

The Actor and UWI Social Science student has turned to one of his passions, the theatre, to help him defray his tuition expenses for the upcoming academic year. 

Given the challenging economic times, the former Excelsior Head Boy and Jamaica Youth Theatre President noted that when a summer job was not forthcoming, he had to be creative and proactive and hence this special benefit performance of the outrageously hilarious Jamaica 2 Rahtid Pupalick on Friday, August 28 at 8:30 pm at the Pantry Playhouse.

Randy, who is a past beneficiary of the Excelsior Alumni Association's decade-old scholarship program, is currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in Sociology with a minor in International Relations and Marketing is a man on a mission and intent on continuing his academic pursuits.                                                                             

Since enrolling on the Mona Campus of the University of the West Indies, McLaren has immersed himself in the culture of the campus, and in his freshman year walked away with five awards at the tertiary arts festival, Tallawah.  These include high commendation for monologues and Best Actor in a Supporting role.  He was also the 2008/2009 recipient of the Premiere Award for Culture at UWI.   

                                          JaMaIca2RAHTID   PUPPALICK

                                                                  AUGUST 28  8:00 PM     

                                                    Pantry  Playhouse, 2 Dumfries Rd.

                                                                New Kingston, Jamaica

                                                                 Tickets: 876-353-3237

He is no stranger to the stage having performed in a number of productions including 1888, Maskerade, Man Better Man, Mansong, Positive, Break the Waters of the deep…Set the Echoes free, directed by Eugene Williams and Coloured boys who have considered homicide when the streets were too much.

A graduate of Excelsior High School and Wolmer’s Boys’ where he served as Head Boy and Deputy Head Boy respectively, McLaren has held a number of leadership positions.  In addition to his role as President of Jamaica Youth Theatre, he also sits on a special technical committee set up by the Bureau of Standards Jamaica to draft standards on improving public behavior, serving as Vice Chairman of the student Sub-Committee. 

Members of the Excelsior fraternity are being encouraged to support this worthwhile endeavour and help an outstanding young Jamaican son of the soil realize his goals.  Tickets for the benefit performance of Jamaica 2 Rahtid Pupalick on August 28 can be purchased in advance by calling 876-353-3237 or email: randydongordon@hotmail.com.  Tickets cost J$1, 000.00