Tourism Entertainment Academy participants gain live performance experience

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The first cohort of the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) Tourism Entertainment Academy (TEA) is now benefiting from the live performance stage of the programme. The cohort includes 18 participants across jazz, reggae and comedy. Speaking in a recent interview with JIS News, Executive Director, TEF, Dr Carey Wallace, said that participants are gaining practical experience and exposure that will prepare them for careers in the tourism sector. “We are actually right at that stage where, having done the training and coaching and so on, we're providing them the exposure, the opportunity to have performances,” Dr Wallace said. Last month, participants from the comedy and reggae categories showcased their talents at the Johnny Live Comedy Bar Show and the Wickie Wackie Music Festival, respectively. The final performance will be held on March 22 in Montego Bay. The live performance stage is a critical part of the academy’s mission to professionalise entertainers and elevate the standard of tourism performances. During the live performances, participants are assessed by industry experts, with the evaluations contributing to the grading required to earn a ‘stackable credential’ upon successful completion of the programme. Additionally, social media will be used to promote participants, and details of each...