DARRYL JOSEPH-DENNIE

Composer/Music Director

Born October 5th, 1989, Darryl showed interest in music at a very early age. By the time he was three years old, he had already taught himself how to play all of the demos on the family's keyboard at home and was attempting to teach other family members how to do so as well.           

At 4 years of age, Darryl embarked on a 13 year journey of studying classical, jazz and theory at the renowned Merriam School of Music, where he is now currently positioned as a music education specialist. During those 13 years, Darryl was accepted into Merriam's Keyboard Ensemble and Enriched programs for students showing exceptional potential. Darryl also participated in numerous Festivals and competitions winning multiple first place awards and scholarships.                                  

After attending Humber College for Jazz and Contemporary music in Toronto, Darryl then furthered his musical development by joining the music ministry at a local church. It was there that he learned how to fuse the precision of classical, the harmony of jazz and the functionality of gospel music to create his own unique voice on the piano. Darryl, later, spent four years as the lead pianist for The Church on the Queensway's Christmas and Easter musicals which also included a run of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.                               

In 2016, Darryl headlined the Toronto Beaches Jazz festival's opening night as part of the band Really Big World (formerly 7Sould). In 2017, Darryl performed and recorded with Desiigner during Spotify's I'm With the Banned sessions. In 2019, Darryl Toured Trinidad and Tobago for the international Carifesta Festival.                       

Darryl also operates as the producer, music director, arranger and keyboardist for various churches and groups within the GTA including JUNO award winner; Carlos Morgan and Vocal coach for The Launch, Lorraine Lawson

RICARDO KEENS-DOUGLAS

Script Dramaturg/Director

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.

SHAKEIL ROLLOCK

Choreographer

After years of independent and company work, now venturing into the world of Musical Theatre, Shakeil Rollock is an emerging dancer, choreographer, and dance instructor whose styles encompass urban, modern, ballet, contemporary and jazz. Most recently having finished contracts with The Grand Theatre’s Mary Poppins – and currently working on a Disney Plus project alongside Emilio Dosal (In the Heights) and Ebony Williams (Beyoncé). A graduate of the School of Toronto Dance Theatre, Shakeil developed experience working alongside established artists with tenure in such productions as Cirque Du Soleil (Julie Perron & Debra Brown), the Step-Up Franchise (Draico), Jully Black Entertainment (Hollywood Jade) and Allen and Karen Kaeja (Kaeja d’Dance). Having been fortunate enough to also work within the Afro-Contemporary Diaspora with Esie Mensah Dance and Lua Sheyenne Dance Company. Lastly, his love for dance extends performing; currently one of Theatre Passe Murialle’s 2020 BUZZ Residency creators and BCurrent’s 2020 resident artist.

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Check him out at: www.shakeilrollock.com