Ottos Comprehensive School emerged as the standout performer at the 9th Secondary Schools Drama Festival, capturing the spotlight during Saturday night’s prize-giving ceremony at the Sir John E. St. Luce Conference Centre.

The week-long festival brought together eleven secondary schools competing in both dance and theatre categories, showcasing a vibrant display of youth talent, creativity, and artistic expression.

Ottos Comprehensive delivered a commanding performance in the drama category, securing eight of the eighteen awards presented.

Among the top honours, Jeremiah Joseph was named Best Actor, while Leana Fields took home Best Actress. Both students have earned scholarships to pursue further studies in theatre arts, should they choose to continue in the field.

The school also claimed awards for Best Supporting Actor (Joel Bridges), Outstanding Original Script, Outstanding Teenage Script, Outstanding Directing, Outstanding Sound Effect, and Outstanding Set Design.

St. Mary’s Secondary School earned recognition for Most Promising Actor (Jahvonte Ryan) and Best Supporting Actress (Carol Thomas), while Irene B. Williams Secondary School secured three awards, including Most Promising Actress (T’Nesa Lewis), Outstanding Female Improvisation in Acting (Shayne James), and Outstanding Ensemble Performance.

Princess Margaret School was honoured for Outstanding Male Improvisation in Acting (Nickquane Theodore) and Outstanding School in Improvisation. Additional awards went to Pares Secondary for Outstanding Lighting, Jennings Secondary for Outstanding Stage Management, and All Saints Secondary for Outstanding Costume.

In the dance category, awards were more widely distributed among participating schools. St. Mary’s Secondary captured Most Promising Male Dancer through Christopher Lee, while Ottos Comprehensive’s Jada-Linn James was named Most Promising Female Dancer. Antigua Grammar School’s Emari John won Outstanding Solo Dancer, and Jennings Secondary claimed Outstanding Duet and Outstanding Improvisation Dance through Otezza Luke and Tylana Jarvis.

Pares Secondary was awarded Outstanding Make-Up, while All Saints Secondary secured Outstanding Innovative Costume. Sir Novelle Richards Academy took top honours for Outstanding Choreography and Outstanding Group Performance.

Special awards highlighted the spirit and unity of the festival. Sir Novelle Richards Academy received the Spirit of the Festival Dance Contingent Award, while Ottos Comprehensive claimed both the Spirit of the Festival Drama Contingent Award and the overall Spirit of the Festival award.

The Tyrel Buckley Memorial Award, presented in honour of the late young actor, was awarded to Zayell Thomas. The award was presented by Buckley’s mother.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Creative Industries, Ambassador Clarence Pilgrim, commended the participating schools for their commitment and excellence. He underscored the importance of theatre in shaping young minds, noting that the art form fosters confidence, critical thinking, and empathy.

Dr. Clarence Pilgrim

“Theatre is a powerful instrument. It shapes confidence, sharpens intellect, and deepens our understanding of society. It teaches us empathy—how to see the world through another’s eyes—and challenges us to reflect on our own realities,” Pilgrim said.

He also expressed hope that more schools across Antigua and Barbuda will participate in future editions of the festival, further strengthening the nation’s cultural and creative industries.