Staff: ahdri zhina mandiela (Artistic Director), Alison Wong (Artistic Producer), Lorenzo Pagnotta (Operations Assistant/Bookkeeper), Josee Duranleau (Publicist).
Board: Karim Morgan (Chair), Letecia Rose (Treasurer), Lorie Kerr (Secretary).
afteRock team: Jung-Hye Kim (Set Designer), Alyssa Matheson (Stage Manager), CJ Astronomo (Lighting Designer), Lorenzo Pagnotta (Box Office & Volunteer Coordinator), Rae Powell (Technician), Alison Wong (Artistic Producer).
Artists in Residence: Nicole Brooks, Raven Dauda, Charmaine Lurch, Jajube Mandiela, M NourbeSe Philip, Christopher Pinheiro, Rehaset Yohanes.
rAiz'n Ensemble: Najla Edwards, Mirra Kardonne, Roselyn Kelada-Sedra, Aracely Reyes, Diana Reyes, River, Katie Sly, Tijana Spasic.
Upcoming Event: rock.paper.sistahz festival 12, May 12-31, 2013, at Artscape Wychwood Barns, featuring various performance and engagement events.
Sponsors and Funders: LUDA, BEES KNEES (swingtoronto.com), Canadian Heritage, Canada Council for the Arts, Toronto Arts Council, Ministry of the Arts and Multiculturalism (Culture Division), Ontario Arts Council.
NEW afteRock play series running from March 4-10, 2013, featuring two main productions: Seventh Heaven and Six & Eight, along with a public reading of Harriet's Daughter.
Seventh Heaven
By: Naomi Abiola
Directed by: Rhoma Spencer
Featuring: Naomi Abiola
Co-production partners: SH Collective
Synopsis: A work-in-progress solo show inspired by a Facebook discussion, telling an epic tale of survival and triumph through the eyes of Celia, incorporating fables and the Anansi tradition. The next stage will explore Celia's experience in Canada and her children's struggles.
Production Credits:
Playwright/Performer: Naomi Abiola
Producer/Director: Rhoma Spencer
Sound Design/DJ: Michael Gordon
Costume Design: SH Collective
Seamstress: Veronica Jones
Physical Performance Consultant: Brian Webber
Dramaturg: Nation Cheong
Photography: Bakari Lindsay
Voiceovers: Mike Cameron, N'dere Heaadley Lindsay, Richard 'Popcorn' Cumberbatch, Shelly Ann McLeod
Music Credits: Features songs from Fayann Lyons, Mahala Jackson, Sydney Ellis, Lord Kitchener, Lord Shorty, Hot Chocolate, and Blaxx.
Bios: Naomi Abiola is an award-winning actor, poet, teacher, and storyteller from Tobago. Rhoma Spencer is an actor, director, play creator, and broadcast journalist from Trinidad and Tobago, known for founding Theatre Archipelago. Michael Gordon (DJ MG) is a Southern Ontario DJ with ten years of percussion experience.
Six & Eight
By: Roselyn Kelada-Sedra
Directed by: Taylor Marie Graham
Featuring: Roselyn Kelada-Sedra and Kaleb Alexander
Choreographer: Alcina Chiu
Co-production partners: Six & Eight Collective
Synopsis: Explores the dichotomy in human connections, specifically the intention versus outcome, through the story of a young woman (Sadiyah) and a young man (Christian) who connect through swing dance. When distance separates them, their love turns into obsession.
Bios: Roselyn Kelada-Sedra is a writer who has worked internationally and is a collaborative creator in the rAiz'n the sun ensemble. Taylor Marie Graham is a Toronto-based writer and director. Kaleb Alexander is an actor who trained at York University. Sarah McQueston is a graduate of The School of Toronto Dance Theatre. Alcina Chiu is the creative director of Scherzo School of Music and Movement. Isaac Ezer is a jazz pianist and swing dancer based in Tokyo.
Harriet's Daughter
By: M. NourbeSe Philip
Public Reading: Sunday, March 10 @ 2pm
Synopsis: A Theatre for Young Audiences piece about Margaret Cruickshank, who is in conflict with her Caribbean Canadian parents and wants to help her friend Zulma escape back to Tobago. The story is set against the backdrop of Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad, as Margaret leads a weekly game in her neighborhood.
Bios: M. NourbeSe Philip is an award-winning poet, essayist, novelist, and playwright. Dian Marie Bridge (Director) is a Theatre Artist, Producer, and Artist Administrator, and current Artistic Producer of Cric Crac Collective.
Cast: David Delisca, Abena Malika, Bridget Ogundipe, Ordena Stephens-Thompson, Andrea Scott.