La Diablesse and the Baby  

Teen Summer Music Theatre Intensive (virtual) 

 

Our teen summer music theatre intensives are back!   

Sing Act Dance!

August 16-20 2021

 

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Presenting 

a ' Greek- chorus' style story performance of

La Diablesse and the Baby by Richardo Keens-Douglas

August 16-20

Monday - Friday  , 9:30 am - 3:30 pm

Singing, acting, dancing instruction plus rehearsals for the presentation

(by virtual delivery)
 

Ages 13-18

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Creative Team

Richardo Keens- Douglas (director, drama instructor),  Darryl Joseph Dennie (music director, pianist), Shakeil Rollock (choreographer, dance instructor), Denise Williams (voice instructor)

 

Early Bird Registration Now Open!

Early Bird Fee $100

(after June 15,  $150)

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Registration Deadline July 30, 2021

Public Virtual presentations TBA

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Questions?

 

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The Schedule

Rough Daily Schedule (Monday-Thursday, Friday will be adjusted for a presentation)

9:30    Meet

10:00 Acting and storytelling class

10:40 Dance Class

11:10 Break

11:20 Vocal class

12:10 Lunch

1:15 – 3:15 Rehearsal

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The Story

La Diablesse is a Caribbean Folk Lore Character and legend has it that she has one cow foot and one human foot and she roams the Caribbean nights, especially on a full moon night, looking to steal babies men’s hearts.   This is a story of how one rainy night this mysterious woman comes to visit Granny who is singing and trying to put the baby to sleep and how Granny outwits her.

 

We will tell this tale in the style of the Caribbean Choral/Oral tradition.

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RIchardo Keens-Douglas

 

Dora Mavor Moore Award winner Richardo Keens-Douglas’ career spans many disciplines. Actor, Playwright, Director, Choreographer, Dancer, Children’s author.  His play The Nutmeg Princess won the Dora Mavor Moore Award, for Outstanding New Musical of 1999. (It had 5 other nominations)

 

The musical The Obeah Man, which he wrote and had the lead garnered him a Dora Nomination for lead actor in a musical. (1985)

 

His Book Freedom Child of the Sea was chosen the official book for children for the ( 200 years of the Abolition of slavery - 1807) Bicentennial Year in Canada  2007.

 

In 2005 he won the Prestigious Golden Oak Award in Canada for his children’s book, Tales from the Isle of Spice. La Diablesse & The Baby won the World Award.

 

In 2003, Mr. Keens-Douglas was inducted into the Caribbean Hall of Fame for Excellence in Theatre

 

He wrote and directed the hit sold out show AY YA YAI IVAN, a musical about Hurricane Ivan which successful toured the USA, England and Canada.

 

He has also written and directed plays such as, Kidnap Love-2018, Uncle -2014, The musical Sapodilla (Caribbean Cinderella) 2008, Sparky (Childrens’ musical) 2006, Mas’ Camp - 2002,  Full Moon -2001.

 

He has toured Canada, USA and the Caribbean with his Sterling Award nominated one-man show Once Upon An Island, playing to sold-out audiences.

 

He made Caribbean history by being the Host of the Caribbean version of the hit show Who Wants To Be A Millionaire.

 

He has authored 12 Award winning Children’s books that have been translated into six languages.

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1991 to 1994 he achieved national recognition in Canada as the host of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's acclaimed storytelling radio talk show ”Cloud 9.  He was also the host of the CBC TV show Sunday Arts Entertainment, which garnered him a 1996 Gemini Award nomination for Best Host in an Arts Program or Series.

 

He has appeared on a variety of leading Canadian stages, including the prestigious Stratford Shakespearean Festival, St Lawrence Centre, Theatre Plus, Centre Stage, Factory Theatre, TWP, Theatre Fountainhead, The World Famous Apollo Theatre in New York, Harbourfront,  Saidye Bronfman Centre, and around the Caribbean.

 

Favourite roles include his popular portrayal of Ken, the lead in “The Playboy of the West Indies” (at the Du Maurier World Stage Festival)

 

He has had leading roles in plays such as, Pinocchio, Ain't Misbehavin', Sophisticated Ladies, The Unseen Hand, The Boyfriend, Dames at Sea, The Threepenny Opera, Guys and Dolls, Smile Orange, Twelfth Night, Measure For Measure, Uncle, Souvenirs,

 

He was the resident choreographer for the Childrens’ Theatre of Montreal for five years.

 

Keens-Douglas has had leading roles in such films as Zero Patience, Dance to Remember, Fields of Endless Days, Fred Penner series, The Aderley series. He has had leads in numerous radio dramas, including the solo reading of fifteen episodes of Cecil Foster’s “No Man in the House” for CBC Canada.

 

As a storyteller, Keens-Douglas has thrilled audiences across Canada, England, the USA, the Caribbean and at international storytelling festivals.

 

His one man show, Once Upon An Island was a Sterling Award nominee for Best Touring Production in Edmonton in 1991. 

 

As a Motivational speaker he is in demand across North America and the Caribbean.