The Ward Theatre is one of the most important historic landmarks in Jamaica. Its prominent location on North Parade, in the heart of Kingston, has been occupied by theatres since the 1700s. The Ward Theatre was built in 1912, designed by local artist Rudolph Henriques, in a classically inspired Edwardian Style, incorporating British architecture along with features common throughout the Caribbean. Many international stars performed at the Ward Theatre, among them: Marian Anderson, operatic singer who was the first black ever to perform at New York’s Metropolitan Opera; Paul Robeson, African-American actor and concert singer; Charles Laughton, British film and stage actor and Academy Award winner and Kingston’s own internationally known opera singer Willard White. The Ward Theatre also played host to events which shaped the social and political history of the island, including the formation of Jamaica’s two major political parties. Jamaica’s popular Pantomime Theatre has also been associated with the Ward since 1941. The Ward Theatre was declared a National Monument by the Jamaican National Heritage Trust in 2000. By 2002, a series of hurricanes had badly damaged the structure, hastening its deterioration, rendering the theatre unusable and necessitating its closure. Early in 2009, RJHA was hired to prepare a detailed Historic Structures Report, which provided recommendations for repair and restoration of the theatre. The next phase leading toward restoration of the historic theatre will be to prepare spatial programming, schematic design and cost estimating for the project. There is strong support for the restoration of this historic landmark. The Ward Theatre Foundation is currently engaged in fundraising efforts to accomplish the goal of preserving this gem of Jamaica’s cultural heritage.
