“It was beautiful chaos.”

This is how Keegan Miguel describes his experience being the man tasked with handling the technical arrangements for the Sekon Sunday show which took place at Queen’s Hall this past Sunday.

The production, which has inspired widespread dialogue about the future of Carnival shows since its staging, was the very first live event to be held with a physical audience for the season.

That’s something that in a regular year would be, well, a regular happening. But it goes without saying that the Covid-19 pandemic has made it a feat worth praising.

Miguel, a creative entrepreneur and Theatre Arts teacher at St. Benedict’s College with 14 years experience in the arts industry, is no stranger to the Sekon Sunday event, having worked the Carnival 2020 edition of the show- albeit in a smaller capacity.

In an interview with OjoWorldTT, he revealed that it was last November when he received a call from Sekon Sta, whose real name is Nesta Boxill, about operating in the capacity of Stage Manager for this year’s event.

“He literally was like ‘Aye, Keegan, Sekon Sunday 2021- we at it again.’ Well to be honest, my initial thought was- how the hell this going to happen?” Miguel recounted, citing the current restrictions due to the pandemic.

It was in the conceptualizing meetings that followed that call that Miguel understood Sekon Sta’s vision for the project and immediately got on board.

“I realized that we may be the first set of people to do (an event like) this in Trinidad Trinidad and Tobago- probably in the Caribbean,” he said.

And the novelty of it all was exciting- but Miguel admits, it was a challenge as well.

Reminiscing on the Covid-19 protocols observed on the day, he recalled: “Queen’s Hall gave us really strict instructions, we were only allowed a certain amount of people backstage so I had to rotate the staff. Artist couldn’t come and lime- they had to come,  touch the stage and leave,” he explained.

Artists included in the line-up on Sunday were Nailah Blackman, Preedy, Voice and Viking Ding Dong.

“When the audience was seeing people running on and off (stage) it was limited staff handling that…” he added.

But the purpose of the event- reigniting a sense of hope in the people- made the work well worth it.

“Carnival means rebellion. The birth of Carnival- what we know as Carnival really started with our ancestors fighting for their rights. They weren’t afraid to fight for what they believed was their right and their culture.”

Weighing in on the National Carnival Commission’s position not to venture into live shows in 2021, Miguel joined the chorus of people who have expressed disappointment with the approach.

“Let me tell you something- America has Covid- horrible- and they didn’t miss a beat. They still were having award shows, they still were having performances, they were still trying to have their cultural and entertainment industry work. NCC…I feel like they were a little to laid back with it. Like they didn’t even say okay let’s try hosting a virtual calypso- something- I don’t know. I really didn’t know,” he lamented.

Greater than his disappointment in the NCC, however, is an understanding that the spirit of Carnival cannot be governed nor quelled by any entity or government body.

“My personal favorite part of stage managing this event- and I not going and say this to be sappy, eh. But looking at Nesta give his heart and his soul to the people- I don’t think people understand what really went on there. There was a moment on Saturday, for the dress rehearsal, where he was practicing the opening…and Nesta literally started to cry. And everyone in Queen’s Hall was silent…and there was that moment of realizing what is happening.

“Nesta is one of the truest performers and entertainers we have in Trinidad and Tobago.

Witnessing his growth, his heart, his passion- not for himself and for his career- but for the people and the culture  and the music… that was the best part for me of stage managing this show, being a part of that,” Miguel ended.