The Ministry of Culture and Community Development (MCCD) is pleased to announce the appointment of the new Board of Directors for the Southern Academy for the Performing Arts (SAPA). The members were formally presented with their instruments of appointment at a brief ceremony hosted at the Ministry’s Head Office on Wednesday, September 17th, 2025.
The appointment ceremony was led by the Honourable Michelle Benjamin, Minister of Culture and Community Development, alongside Dr. Narindra Roopnarine, Parliamentary Secretary, and other senior officials of the Ministry.
The newly appointed Board of Directors of SAPA comprises:
· Mr. Micah Baksh – Chairman
· Ms. Tara Lalgee – Deputy Chairman
· Mr. Keiron Sachin Lal – Member
· Mr. Nathaniel Malchan – Member
· Ms. Aaliyah Roopnarine – Member
· Mr. Sham Ghool (Mr. Jairaj Singh) – Member
· Ms. Krystal Kholay-Rennie – Member
· Ms. Wendy H. Lewis – Member
· Ms. Reanna Edwards-Paul – Member
· Ms. Alesia Dyer-Stoute – Member
In her brief remarks to the appointees, Minister Benjamin reflected on the importance of SAPA’s role in the cultural landscape, stating: “The Southern Academy for the Performing Arts is a hub for nurturing talent, celebrating creativity and strengthening cultural identity in Trinidad and Tobago. The newly appointed Board carries a responsibility to ensure that SAPA continues to thrive as a national institution, providing opportunities for artists to grow and for communities to connect through the arts.”
The Southern Academy for the Performing Arts (SAPA) was established under Act No. 6 of 2022 as a body corporate with responsibility for the promotion and development of culture and the arts in Trinidad and Tobago.
SAPA serves as a premier facility in San Fernando for the training, performance and showcasing of the performing arts. It fosters artistic excellence, preserves cultural traditions, as well as, provides opportunities for new generations of talent to refine their skills and contribute to the cultural economy.
Expectations of the New Board
The newly appointed Board is expected to:
· Exercise effective governance in accordance with the provisions of the SAPA Act.
· Develop and oversee programming that promotes artistic excellence and broadens participation in the performing arts.
· Maintain and upgrade the facility, ensuring it remains modern, safe and accessible for all.
· Support cultural education and outreach, fostering collaborations with schools, communities and cultural groups.
The Ministry of Culture and Community Development congratulates the newly appointed Board of the Southern Academy for the Performing Arts and looks forward to working in partnership with the institution for cultural expression, creativity and artistic development in Trinidad and Tobago.
