Caribbean Tales

The wide-ranging talents of Jamaica's first Lady of film theatre and stage, Leonie Forbes have attracted local and international recognition. Considered an icon in Jamaica, Ms Forbes trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London, England.  Her career spans several decades in film, TV and radio in Jamaica, England, Australia and Canada. Awards include the Order of Distinction from the Jamaican government, the Silver and Bronze Musgrave (top awards for arts, culture and science in Jamaica) and the Institute of Jamaica Centenary Medal. Ms. Forbes was nominated for a Gemini Award for her work in “LORD HAVE MERCY!” 

Michael is a young up and coming Afro Canadian actor who has been featured in commercials for McDonalds, Northwest Airlines, Eatons and Reese"s’ Pieces. Michael has worked on many Alliance Atlantis productions, between “Due South”’ “Straight Up” and “Drop the Beat”. He was a principal in the Fox Television pilot for “Save the Last Dance”. 

"Finding his love for acting at 6, when he played "Rudolph" in Rudolph the red nosed reindeer", Ryan says, "I think the teacher didn't want to waste her make up colouring someone brown, so she stuck a red nose on me and called it a day."

Studying for a year in Humber College's Theatre program and performing in church shows, gave Ryan the basis for a lifelong love of acting.

His first major film, "A Winter Tale", is in circulation around the city and is his proudest accomplishment."

Andrew was born in Toronto.  Currently Andrew is enrolled in Ryerson University for Performance Acting.Lockdown is Andrew's first professional production. Andrew's determination to reach his ultimate goal, to find out what it truly means to be an artist, is absolute. Andrew does so by exploring, discovering and creating through all his work.

From the first audition notice, Braeden knew that LOCKDOWN was an incredibly important project to be a part of and he is proud to originate the role of Raeff. Braeden has just completed his first year at Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts specializing in Drama. His theatrical stage debut was playing ‘The Boy’ in University of Toronto’s 2008 production of Waiting for Godot. His television credits include Ghostly Encounters on the W Network and Canadian punk band Billy Talent’s ‘Devil in a Midnight Mass’ music video. Braeden also enjoyed two seasons as the lead character, CJ, in the animated series Paws and Tails. Braeden’s favourite accomplishment to date was being selected to advance to the final callback session with Paul Rudd for ‘Role Models’ at Universal Studios Hollywood in 2007.

Chrystelle was born in the Caribbean island of Trinidad and Tobago and migrated to Canada with her parents and her older sister at the age of four. Chrystelle was a very vibrant and active child who loved theatre and the arts from a very young age. She participated in school plays and productions right through elementary school and continued this theatrical passion futher in high school through drama classes and her school theatre group. After completing her university bachelor degree she studied television and film at Dean Armstrong Acting Studio with revered acting coach Dean Armstrong himself (Kate Todd for “Radio Free Roscoe”, John Breggar for “Degrassi the New Generation). Graduating at the top of her class Chrystelle now sets out on her artistic journey into the world of entertainment landing an actor role in Discovery Channel’s “Forensic Factor”, commercials for WSIB, George Brown College and now a lead role in the theatrical production of “The Lockdown” written and directed by Frances Anne Solomon. Skilled in all styles ranging from dram to comedy Chrystelle’s great emotional flexibility, high energy, her hilarious impersonation of accents, her passion and devotion and of course her contagious smile make her a force to be reckoned with in Toronto’s acting community.

Eldon is a multi-talented artist. Not only does he have a finger in acting but in vocal, freestyle, poetry and comedy as well. But above all this, his acting career is second to none. It's his number one passion. He began in elementary school and decided to stick with it. Ever since then he has been practicing and honing his talents both on and off the stage. This said, it was only natural that he felt the need to explore arts beyond the stage. With this came the birth of his curiousity towards singing. He is really shy when it comes to performing vocally but once he opens up his talents are obvious. Outside of the "Lockdown" project, you can expect to hear Eldon's vocals and lyrics on the underground debut of the Brampton freestyle group MSC, and possibly on his own solo ventures in the near future.

 
 
 Finlandia is a talented actor. She has worked with Leda Serene Films in the past,
 on such endeavors as A Winter Tale the play and as Rain in  the feature film A Winter Tale.

Gena Joella Sylvester is Student Trustee Elect and maintains a solid academic track record. This up and coming talent has a passion for singing, dancing, cheerleading, and acting. She has had numerous theatre roles such as Dorothy in The Wizard of OZ and made her television debut on YTV’s The Adrenaline Project (Season One). Gena is a member of singing duo Kaydiince and dreams of acting in a feature film or series.

 
Lameck blends his talents as Rapper, MC, Freestyler, Actor, Poet, Social Activist, and Student. Lameck is releasing an album which will be in HMV all over Canada described as raw lyrics over the combination of Hiphop, Reggae, and Dub. “Eclectic Soul Encounter" may be some of Lameck’s greatest work.  After getting engaged Lameck made it his life’s resolution to raise a family and live a fulfilled life, giving his gifts and energy to the joy and power of expression, mastery, love and durable fulfillment through his life’s work as well as helping others not so far down the path.

The opportunity to perform in Lockdown is an incredible journey and thrill for me, this being my professional theatre debut. I began with the Clearview Community Theatre.  I went on to Buddy “The Buddy Holly Story”, with Drayton Entertainment.  I participated in the Soulpepper Youth Theatre Program.   I continue to study dance and music.

Nikola is a 17 year old from the Czech Republic. She has just started acted recently, roughly 2 years ago. It has become her new favorite thing to do in the world. Nikola has been experiencing a whole new world, auditions, call backs , script reading and the occasional not getting a phone call back meaning you didn't get the part. You can say she has fallen in love with acting and that's what she would love to do with her life. "It may be a risk but it's a risk I'm willing to take, I guess I love it so much because I can do and be who ever I want and I get to experience all these new things I never thought I could do".