Sajay Deacon fuelling his passion for the arts

Sajay Deacon is no ordinary talent. The 23-year-old, who hails from Alston, Clarendon, is steadily making a name for himself as an actor, playwright, dub poet and director in the performing arts industry.

Deacon currently teaches drama at the McGrath High School in Linstead, St Catherine, after obtaining a Bachelor's of Arts degree in drama in education this year at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts in St Andrew. He admitted that during the four and a half years of study, the journey consisted of many "hungry days".

"It was not easy. But having friends in my circle made it manageable. It was fun. Sleepless nights, late-night rehearsals, hungry days, but it was one of the greatest experiences. I had to take student loan because I couldn't afford it [tuition], got a few scholarships, and went on the work and travel programme to finance my education," Deacon said.

He added that it was his love for the performing arts that kept him going, even if he didn't always see it as a future profession.

"I didn't take it serious though, but always knew I could do it and I loved it. If it's not the arts, it's football. That is what I grew up loving because I see both as a means to entertain people, and I love doing that," Deacon said.

The budding entrepreneur also officially launched his company, Remarkable Arts, which he said combines different elements of the arts to create its own unique style of performance.

The entertainment-laced event, which was dubbed 'Wi Powaful', was held at Johnny's Place in St Andrew. Patrons were serenaded by an array of powerful performances from the likes of Kiana Jackson, David 'Daveagle' Mitchell, Chenelle Dallas, and Sajay himself, who was later joined on stage by his mentor, Majah Bless, to perform the legendary Walk In My Shoes dub poetry.

Deacon has appeared in several plays, namely, A Midsummer's Night's Dream, In The Red and Brown Water, and Company Song . Remarkable Arts has also produced and released several short films, including The Place Where we Learn, which he directed, Not My Day, and Parenting Through The Pandemic.

Deacon has attributed his successes to the undying support from his parents, Samuel and Noreen Deacon.

He also paid homage to his staff at Remarkable Arts Company, noting that "I am nothing without the support of my father and mother, and, of course, my team, because I cannot take all the credit. They have been a real driving force in my life, and everyone is like family".