Playwrights Workshop Trinbago (PWT) officially launches its New Play Festival (NPF) 2026 with a two-night performance of A Work of Art written by emerging playwright Sashta Jebodh. The event will take place on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th April, 7:00 PM at the Trinidad Theatre Workshop, and marks the play’s third phase in the festival’s development process of bringing scripts from page to stage.
A Work of Art explores a deceptively simple premise: two museum workers clash over a piece of art. But beneath this lies a deeper inquiry into perception, meaning, and the subjectivity of ‘truth’.
“As my first play, I wanted to explore something meaningful yet lighthearted. Writing about art itself felt natural, because interpretation is shaped by each person’s perspective and lived experience,” Jebodh said. “I want audiences to reflect on which character they connect with most, and to recognise how differently we all experience the same world.”
The production will be directed by Marvin L. Ishmael, Artistic Director of PWT, and features Pauline Mark, Vidya Thurab, and Bakari Akowe.
Originally introduced at PWT’s Monthly Readers Theatre Series (MRTS) in February this year, A Work of Art has progressed through a structured development pipeline—moving from initial reading to dramatic reading, and now to full staging.
“The workshop process made me more conscious of writing for an audience. Hearing the script aloud and receiving feedback helped me refine the dialogue and ensure clarity throughout,” Jebodh added.
Since its inception in 2016, workshop staging of three new plays have historically been presented in October/November as part of the New Play Festival. This year, PWT has adopted a revised format for the Festival, focusing on the development and full staging of one play at a time throughout the year, before bringing them all together for a final showcase as part of the larger festival later in the year.
“We realised that through our process, we were already workshopping the plays in a meaningful way,” said Safa Niamat-Ali, Coordinator of Playwrights Workshop Trinbago. “By focusing on one piece at a time, we’re able to give each work the attention it deserves, while making the process more sustainable and manageable.”
This shift follows PWT’s return to the Trinidad Theatre Workshop last year, where consistent access to space and support has allowed for deeper collaboration between playwrights, directors, and performers. Playwrights remain actively involved throughout rehearsals, engaging directly with revisions as the work evolves, strengthening both the script and its eventual staging.
About the Playwright
Sashta Jebodh is an actress, budding playwright, and holds a BA in Theatre Arts and Literatures in English from the University of the West Indies. Jebodh hones her creativity through her involvement with Playwrights Workshop Trinbago, Torch Theatre Company and a podcast called Waiz Dat? Her transition into playwriting marks an exciting new chapter in her multifaceted career in the Caribbean creative industry.
Event Details
Play: A Work of Art by Sashta Jebodh
Dates: Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th April 2026
Time: 7:00 PM
Venue: Trinidad Theatre Workshop, 6 Newbold Street, St. Clair
Admission: $40
PWT’s Monthly Readers Theatre Series (MRTS), held on the first Wednesday of every month, continues to serve as a vital incubator for new work—offering playwrights the opportunity to share developing scripts and engage directly with audiences. Selected works then move on to dramatic readings and ultimately full staging for the New Play Festival, now in its seventh iteration since its resumption in 2016.
Members of the public, students, and theatre enthusiasts are invited to attend the performance and participate in the feedback session.
For more information about Playwrights Workshop Trinbago, to submit a script for reading in the MRTS, or to learn about upcoming events, please contact them via email at playwrightsworkshoptt@gmail.com, or via Facebook & Instagram: @playwrightsworkshoptt.
Playwrights Workshop Trinbago extends sincere thanks to the board and management of Trinidad Theatre Workshop for their continued support.
The Trinidad and Tobago Performing Arts Network 