HOLLYWOOD – Jamaican performing artist, Andrew Clarke, was crowned Senior Grand Champion Performer of the World on Sunday, July 27 at the World Champion of the Performing Arts competition held in Hollywood, California. The competition is the first and only international series of competitions to find and crown the best aspiring performing artists on Earth.
Patterned after the Olympics, outstanding rising “world stars” (amateurs and professionals) from the USA and over 40 countries compete at this esteemed international event. This is the only global talent and model competition of its kind staged annually in “Hollywood”, the entertainment capital of the world.
A resident of Miami Gardens, Florida, Clarke is no stranger to capturing awards; in his short career, he has won 30 gold and 7 silver medals in the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission’s performing arts competition in Speech, Drama and Music. He has also garnered overall national awards including Best Male vocalist and Best Actor. A graduate of the Jamaica School of Drama Clarke has been recognized with the Kiwanis Youth in Excellence award for the performing arts and a nomination for the Prime Minister’s Youth Award in Excellence in the Performing Arts.
Andrew Clarke performs in the seniors vocal competition at the World Champion of the Performing Arts competition in Hollywood, California.
No stranger to the stage, Clarke, 23, made his stage debut in “Forbidden” written by David Heron, one of Jamaica’s prolific playwrights. He followed with the plays “Children Children,” “Voices,” What a Gwann,” and ” Man Better Man” all done with the Montego Bay Little Theatre Movement. In Kingston he has appeared in “Tings a Gwann,” “Reality Check,” the Jamaica School of Drama’s “Callaloo” a Jamaican adaptation of James Baldwin’s “Amen Corner” quickly followed by “Prayer Partner.”
His film credits include “Bad Lucky” and “Twang” both of which premiered at the Flashpoint Film Festival in Negril, Jamaica in 2005. In early 2006 he had his first starring role in a docu-drama commissioned by UNESCO on HIV/Aids and Drug Abuse called “High Grade” immediately after which he toured with David Heron’s acclaimed play “Ecstasy” in the UK with Audrey Reid of Dancehall Queen fame.
Andrew Clarke, (left) playing the role of Dredie holds Pastor Brown (Gary “Sweetness” Clarke) and Sister Grace (Chanise Brady) at gunpoint in the Premier of An Amazing Grace, staged on Father’s Day at Coral Springs Center for the Arts.
Clarke’s recently appeared in the Premier of Roy Martin’s “An Amazing Grace”, which was staged at the Coral Springs for the Arts in Coral Springs, Florida on Father’s Day. Playing the role of “Dredi” Clarke was outstanding in his performance, as one of the more seasoned actors on the stage supporting Chris “Johnny” Daley. He is currently busy in California making promotional appearances at several events celebrating Jamaica’s independence.
