A vision which started 16 years ago by Joseph Robinson and Paulette Bellamy has blossomed into a well respected and successful performing arts company which prides itself in being an innovator in edutainment for community transformation and social development worldwide.

The Ashe Performing Arts Company which began primarily to make a difference by using young people to teach their peers about reproductive health, sexuality and HIV/AIDS through the performing arts has been a training ground for the maximization of many talented artistes.

Talents (alumni) include Cherine Anderson; Tifa who won Best Music Video in the RETV MVP Awards with her chart topping music video “Bottom of the Barrel”; Ano Harris who has toured on Broadway in the musical comedy drama ‘Rent’; Kirk Rowe dancer and choreographer in the Cayman Islands and Michael Sean-Harris Digicel Rising Stars performance coach and lecturer at Edna Manley School for the Visual and Performing Arts. Former members have returned to celebrate in the sweet sixteen anniversary. Tifa who was member of Ashe for six years is a top line up for the production ‘Higher Ground’.

Several members both past and present echoed that the most exciting thing about being a member of Ashe are the spirit of unity in a family, becoming a trained performer and the empowerment they receive in and through the performing arts and in turn promote to young people.

According to 16 year-old member Sharee McDonald-Russell who is no stranger to the stage, the members are anxious to showcase their talents and Ashe’s work over the last 16 years.

“Ashe has been successful as a full-time performing arts company and decked with more than twenty international awards for excellence in the arts because each member understands how important we are to the development of theatre in Jamaica,” McDonald-Russell highlighted.

The Sweet Sixteen Season of Excellence under the distinguished patronage of Her Excellency The Most Honourable Lady Hall will feature ASHE’s repertoire in entertainment and edutainment and allows the audience to capture the essence of ASHE. The season begins on September 29 to October 4, 2009 at the Little Theatre.

“Ashe Sweet Sixteen Season of Excellence is an event for everyone! All are encouraged to support so we can continue to promote a sense of national pride and consciousness and sensitise our citizens about national development,” remarked Executive Artistic Director, Conroy B Wilson.