Featured Productions:
Brotherhood: The Hip Hopera
Creator and Performer: Sébastien Heins
Director: Karin Randoja
Synopsis: A multi-character, multi-disciplinary story that spans generations, hip-hop culture, and themes of death, birth, violence, and drugs, all portrayed by one man. It explores whether one's integrity can survive fame, teetering between honesty and façade.
Creative Team: Jodi Essery & Karin Randoja (Dramaturgy), Adam Lazarus (Development Coach), Anahita Dehbonehie (Set/Costume Designer), Jacynthe Lalonde (Lighting Designer), Miquelon Rodriguez (Sound Designer), Jonathan Inksetter (Projections Designer), Joseph Recinos (Producer).
The Femme Playlist
Creator and Performer: Catherine Hernandez
Director: Gein Wong
Synopsis: Described as an "anthem," this show celebrates and reveres the survival and resilience of femmes, particularly queer femmes of colour, in the face of poverty, rape, slut-shaming, racism, and homophobia. It highlights femininity as a daring and powerful force.
Creative Team: Jade Lee Hoy (Set/Costume Designer), Jazz Kamal (Lighting Designer), Kim Katrin Milan (Marketing and Social Media).
Co-production with: Sulong Theatre Company and Eventual Ashes.
"afteRock Plays 2014" series, running from October 10-25, featuring two one-person shows: Brotherhood: The Hip Hopera and The Femme Playlist. The series is presented at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre and aims to showcase dynamic, multi-disciplinary performances that explore extreme identities.
Artistic Leadership:
Jajube Mandiela: Artistic Director, emphasizes the company's core values of daring to be different, bold, and touching the audience's heart.
Naomi Abiola: Interim Artistic Director, highlights the personal impact of both shows, particularly as a "High Femme lesbian of colour" connecting with The Femme Playlist and a mother connecting with Brotherhood.
The afteRock Plays 2014 Team: Includes Suzie Balogh (Production Manager), Beth Wong (Stage Manager), Luke Dobson (Stage Crew), Akio Maroon (Promoter), and Mark Stoddart (Graphic Design).
Funders and Supporters: Toronto Arts Council, Ontario Arts Council, Canada Council for the Arts, and the Department of Canadian Heritage.