In the world of Jamaican theater and film, Sherando stands as a multifaceted force, defying the conventional boundaries of the entertainment industry. As we settled into our conversation, it became abundantly clear that Sherando is not only an exceptional actress but also a passionate advocate for change and recognition within her field. Sherando candidly shared her thoughts on the value placed on careers like hers in a society that often fails to comprehend their significance. She expressed her concerns about the underrepresentation of actors and artists in prestigious awards and honors. “Exactly, exactly,” Sherando chimed in when I mentioned the scarce recognition received by individuals within her field. “There have only been a few actors who have been given that kind of recognition.” Throughout our conversation, it became evident that Sherando’s career is not confined to the roles she plays on stage or screen. She wears multiple hats, including that of a producer and businesswoman, and her determination to address industry injustices transcends personal ambition. “I am going to speak out about it,” she affirmed. “It’s not just for me; it’s for the benefit of the industry.” Sherando’s outspoken nature has sometimes cost her opportunities, as she acknowledged. “I get squeezed out of places,” she admitted, “Because I have a mouth on me, and I have stories that I am fine sharing.”
However, Sherando’s passion for change and her commitment to her craft are unwavering. She believes that the contributions of people in her field to the Jamaican entertainment industry are not adequately valued, and she refuses to stay silent about it. As our conversation shifted toward Sherando’s personal background and influences, I discovered that she is a woman who defies societal constraints. “I don’t know about ceilings and doors and boxes,” she asserted. Sherando’s journey from journalism to acting and producing is a testament to her versatility and resilience. With a background in journalism, she adds a unique dimension to her artistry, emphasizing radio and audio production.
In speaking with Sherando, I discovered that she is not just a performer but a trailblazer, a voice for change, and an advocate for the recognition of her craft. Her determination to challenge the status quo and her unwavering commitment to the Jamaican arts community make her a force to be reckoned with. Sherando’s story is not just about her career but also about the change she strives to bring to an industry that often overlooks its own.
Sherando’s journey through the realms of journalism, radio, and theater is a fascinating odyssey that reveals the depth of her talent and determination. As we delved deeper into her experiences, it became clear that her path was one of unexpected opportunities, fearless exploration, and an unwavering faith in God.
Sherando’s early foray into journalism was marked by her tenure at Fame FM, where she spent approximately 7 to 8 years. This radio journey was preceded by her internship at JIS (Jamaica Information Service) during her time at UWI (University of the West Indies). Her path was diverse, as she also briefly ventured into television journalism, contributing to the early days of CVM at Sunrise. One notable memory she shared was her time at CVM, where she co-hosted a Friday morning program alongside accomplished women like Chantal Hilton-Thomas and Joyce Hewitt. Sherando recalled the feeling of sitting between these two remarkable women who had already achieved so much. She admired their grace and the way they mentored her, setting her on her path in television journalism. However, Sherando realized that the world of serious journalism and sensationalism wasn’t the right fit for her. She couldn’t imagine asking grieving individuals insensitive questions in pursuit of sensational headlines. This realization led her to focus on audio production, an area she was passionate about.
Her journey was enriched by Alma Mock Yen, who provided her with invaluable audio production training, during her tenure at CARIMAC including the art of splicing tapes in the pre-digital era. Ed Wallace, a long-time producer of theatre and radio, voice actor, and coach, also played a significant role in Sherando’s audio production development. Her time voicing “Under the Law” with him added depth to her voice-acting skills, setting the stage for her multifaceted career. Sherando’s transition to Fame FM marked a turning point. Initially, she approached the microphone with her natural charisma as an actress, but she received sage advice from the late Francois St Juste, a veteran broadcaster, who encouraged her to let the audience get to know her as a radio announcer first. Sherando’s voice became a familiar presence in the Jamaican radio landscape, resonating with listeners.
Her audio production journey took off with her involvement in Lime Tree Lane at just 17, where her meeting Christopher “Johnny Daley” led to him recommending her for a voice-over job for ELora Body perfume. This catapulted her career in radio commercials, where she found herself voicing and writing numerous ads, marking the beginning of her love for audio production.
The evolution of her career culminated in the formation of Yardbridge Entertainment, which specialized in audio production and talent representation. Through Yardbridge, Sherando and her team identified and trained talents from various backgrounds, shaping them into accomplished voice actors and performers. Among her success stories are names like Kadeem Wilson (aka Kenzik), Lisa Williams, and Kerry Ann Cameron, who pursued successful careers in the entertainment industry.
At what point did you know you were going to be involved in theatre?
Let me tell you, I think I discovered this when I was probably somewhere between nine and eleven years old. They used to call me a “village lawyer” when I was in high school because I was always curious about people’s business. One of my teachers, Mrs. William, I’ll never forget what she said to me. She said, “I think you’d make an excellent lawyer; you talk so much.” She might have thought she was insulting me, but all I heard was a compliment. So, I did some research and realized it takes seven years to study law. I thought to myself, “That’s not happening in my life.”
Somewhere in that same year, I went to church with my parents. My dad was a bishop before he passed away, and my mom, who’s still with us, is a pastor. So, I’m a church girl, born and raised in the church. However, I was always shy when it came to singing. Even when they put me in the choir to sing, it was just a little voice singing, “Jesus loves me.”. But then, something changed that year. I don’t know what happened, but I found my big voice.
d, and I started singing, and I heard that big voice come out of that little girl. I loved it, and it felt amazing. From that point on, I got more involved in performing at church, and it started feeling natural. There was no turning back after that. I have had no other career in mind since.
Theatre life is not a traditional career path. How did you know it was a possibility? What were your parents’ thoughts on you making a living in the theatre world?
My parents have always been incredibly supportive of everything I do, and I feel very blessed in that regard. I think people didn’t have high expectations of me because I grew up in the ghetto. Our house was at the bottom of the lane, right next to the gully, so truth be told, there were no expectations. In high school, I ran track and did well, even making it to the finals at Champs (High School Track & Field Championship). But I pulled my hamstring, and I thought my life was over – that’s another story. But my parents supported me every step of the way. Whenever I had track meets or development meets leading up to Champs, my parents were always there, waiting for me at the top of the lane, both my mother and father. When I started doing theater with Ginger Knight at the age of 18, while I was still in sixth form at Meadowbrook High School, they never left my side. Ginger had to make sure I had a ride because he promised my father, he’d take care of me. They’ve always been very supportive. My parents don’t have high-profile careers, so all they saw was me being happy and excelling. So, they were okay with it…
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