‘da Kink in My Hair

Playwright

Trey Anthony is a bad-ass Jamaican-British-Canadian, truth-teller, award-winning writer, and wellness expert. She’s the girl to call when you want to turn your inner shame into success! Trey is known as the “Oprah of Canada,” the first Black woman in Canada to have her own prime- time series on a major network. Trey has appeared on NBC, ABC, CBS, NPR, Fox, CTV, CBC, City TV, and Global Television. She has been featured in Forbes, Huffington Post, Toronto Star, The Toronto Sun, Global Mail, Essence Magazine, and Madame Noire. She is a former writer for OWN, Lionsgate, The Comedy Network, The Women’s Television Network, and Global Television. She is also a contributing writer for Huffington Post and the Toronto Star, Canada’s largest daily newspaper. Her popular new book, Black Girl in Love (with Herself) has been published by Hay House, the largest self-help publisher in North America. She offers self-love courses and coaching to thousands of women and her courses are sold-out each month! Her award-winning play, Da Kink in My Hair, received four NAACP awards including Best New Playwright. Da Kink has broken box office sales records in Canada, England, and the United States. It has grossed millions, been critically acclaimed, and was named one of the top ten plays in Canada’s theatrical history. Trey recently adapted her new play, How Black Mothers Say I Love You, to a film, which was shortlisted at Sundance. Trey’s viral TEDxToronto talk “Coming Out of Your Box” has nearly 13,000 views. Trey is a former Television Development Producer at CTV Television and Bell Media and is once one of the highest-ranking Black women TV executives in Canada. Trey is passionate about diversity, inclusion, and of course wellness, and she is a highly sought-after speaker. She has spoken at Harvard University and NYU and been a guest lecturer and speaker at the University of Massachusetts, the University of Waterloo, McMaster University, and Ryerson University. She has delivered numerous keynotes and workshops to corporations and organizations around the world. She’s the recipient of an Eve Ensler Vagina Warrior Award, which recognizes the contributions of dynamic women in the arts. She also has received a Walk of Fame Star in Brampton for her contribution to the arts. She is a recipient of the Harry Jerome Award for the Arts and was recently named one of the top 100 Black women in Canada to watch! Her popular touring theatrical wellness show, Black Girl in Love (with Herself), is a sold-out event every year. Trey is the Rockstar of Wellness for women! This pocket-size powerhouse is also a solo mom to her newly adopted son Kai, and in her spare time, she enjoys eating cupcakes and crying while watching This Is Us. Trey is currently doing the Black Girl in Love tour in Los Angeles, Toronto, Detroit & Atlanta. For more info or to book Trey for your next keynote, conference, or women’s retreat, please go to www.treyanthony.com or follow her on IG @blackgirlinlove.

Nia

Olunike Adeliyi is an Award Winning Actor, Writer, and Producer. Film and television credits include Coroner (2020), Darken (2017), Boost (2018), The Prodigy (2019), She Never Died (2019), and Chaos Walking (2020). Working Moms (2017-2021), Revenge of the Black Best Friend (2022), Emmy Nominated series The Porter (2022), and Hulu’s ‘Iron Mike.’ Olunike was nominated for “Best Supporting Actress” at the 2018 Canadian Screen Awards for her role in Boost. Upcoming: Olunike will star alongside Brian Tyree Henry (Causeway, Atlanta), Ryan Destiny (Star), and Judy Greer (Arrested Development) in ‘Flint Strong.’

Vocalist/Performer

Selected theatre: ‘Da Kink in My Hair, Rose, Wedding at Aulis, Idomeneus, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Spoon River, 27 Club, Riverboat, Porgy & Bess, The Secret Chord (Soulpepper Theatre), Odessa in The Amen Corner, A Grand Night For Singing (Shaw), Freedom Cabaret (Stratford), Wiletta Mayer in Trouble In Mind (MTC/Citadel), Novelette in ‘da kink in my hair (Arts Club, Vancouver), Spoon River (Signature Centre NYC). Film/TV: Mysticons, Total Dramarama, Hannibal, Wayne, Zokie of Planet Ruby Radio/Recordings: Narrator in The Journey to Jazz and Human Rights (JazzFM Radio); Mr. King Dice in Cuphead. Training: University of Windsor Music Theatre Program. Awards: NYF Radio Awards Gold Award for Journey to Jazz and Human Rights and Rose (2020). Online: YouTube.com/alanabridgewatermusic

Patsy

Tamara Brown was born in Toronto, raised in Ottawa, and is now based in Montréal, QC. Selected Theatre: for colored girls who have considered suicide/ when the rainbow is enuf (Soulpepper), Da Kink in My Hair (NAC/Theatre Calgary); Adventures of a Black Girl in Search of God (NAC/Centaur); Intimate Apparel, Urban Tales (Centaur Theatre); Inherit the Wind (Segal Centre for Performing Arts); Robin Hood (Geordie Productions); Afrika Solo, Blacks Don't Bowl, Nutmeg Princess, New Canadian Kid, (Black Theatre Workshop); Richard III (Metachroma Theatre). She is one of the founding members of Metachroma Theatre, created to address the under-representation of IBPOC artists in Québec and Canadian theatre since 2010. In 2019, Tamara wrote Blackout for Tableau D'Hôte Theatre with Lydie Dubuisson and Kym Dominque-Ferguson. Her work as a director has been seen on stages in Montreal, Toronto, Sherbrooke, Winnipeg, New York, and Stratford.

Vocalist/Performer

Tiffany was born in Windsor Ontario to her beautiful Indo-Guyanese mother and proud Afro-Haitian father. Selected Theatre: 'Da Kink In My Hair (Soulpepper), Rock Of Ages (More Entertainment); Chicago (Stratford Festival) Mamma Mia! (Mirvish); Cookin’ At The Cookery (Canadian Stage); Hairspray (Charlottetown Festival) Little Shop. (Grand Theatre) Buddy; Jesus Christ Superstar; Hairspray; Hair; Soul Sistas.(Mayfield) Hairspray; Priscilla (Drayton). Film/TV: CTV, Disney, MTV Recordings: Background vocals – Rita McNeil, Saving Grace Album.

Sharmaine

Selected theatre: Alice in Wonderland (with Bad Hats), Billie, Sarah and Ella: Revolutionary Women in Jazz, 'da Kink in My Hair (Soulpepper/TO Live), Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill (Theatre Calgary); Dear Evan Hansen (Mirvish); I am William, Freedom 2.0 (Stratford); Jerusalem (Outside the March/Company Theatre); Light, Girls Like That (Tarragon); Trout Stanley (Factory Theatre); Other Side of the Game (Obsidian/Cahoots). Film/TV: Coroner; Grand Army; Private Eyes.

Sherelle

Miranda Edwards is a Canadian born actor of Grenadian heritage. Her passion for the arts, germinated from a very young age but didn't manifest externally until she was a teen. It has been her driving force since then and continues to fuel her dynamic career. Miranda has performed on stages all over North America and appeard on screens big and small on various hit projects. Selected credits: “Fairview,” (Search Party/The Cultch) “da kink in my Hair,” (Soulpepper & Mirvish) “who knew grannie: a dub aria,” (Obsidian) “Toronto the Good,” “The Madonna Painter,” (Factory) “ Twelfth Knight,” (Stratford). Film/TV: “Orphan Black,”“Motherland,” “Arrow,” “Snowpiercer,” “A Million Little Things,” “Supernatural,” “The Good Doctor,” “Virgin River” and “Family Law”. Miranda resides in Vancouver, where she is currently writing her first play.

Vocalist/Performer

Chelsea Russell studied in the Acting Conservatory at York University.  She has been working professionally as an actor in theatre, TV and film. Most recently she starred in ""Rebirth of the Afronauts"" a part of the 21 Black Futures project for CBC Gem.She can also be seen in ""Tiny Pretty Things""  on Netflix and will be a part of Apple TV's 'See' season 2. As far as theatre, Chelsea received a leading role at Canadian Stage 2021 for the powerful play Fairview. She can also be seen in Fellow Travellers on ‘Showtime’ and Paramount Plus.
Another notable performance was her role as Saint Monica at Obsidian Theatre in Judas Noir  which went up at Crow's Theatre. She is passionate about working in afro-centric theatre tv and film especially in these trying times. She also works in music and is currently working on an indie music project, her debut EP, focused in the alternative R&B genre. She is currently represented by Alix Kazman at Fountainhead Talent Agency. You can learn more about her artistic journey through her Instagram page, follow her at @chelsearussell0

Miss Enid

Satori Shakoor was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. Theatre Credits: Harlem Duet (Neptune Theatre); Intimate Apparel (Citadel Theatre); Da Kink in My Hair (Princess of Wales) FILM & TELEVISION: Batman vs. Superman; The Hurricane; Mike Judge Presents: Tales From The Tour Bus OTHER: Catalyst and founding member of Obsidian Theatre Company (1999). Founder The Secret Society Of Twisted Storytellers®️ (2012) OTHER: Satori recorded and toured with George Clinton and Parliament/Funkadelic as one of the Brides of Funkenstein.

Novelette

Ordena is two time Dora nominated actor, acting coach and voice-over artist. Her work has taken her across Canada including the Northwest Territories and the United States. Selected credits include Fairview, Da Kink in my hair, Sweat, Fences, How Black Mothers Say I Love You, Skymed, Ruby and the Well, Handmaid's Tale, Hudson and Rex.

Stacey

Triple Dora-award-winning playwright-performer d’bi.young anitafrika was born and raised in Kingston Jamaica. Theatre Credits: Shx Mami Wata, For Colored Girls (2016); Three Penny Opera (2006); Three Sisters (2006) (Soulpepper), bloodclaat (Theatre Passe Muraille); benu (La Chappelle Theatre); word! sound! powah! (Tarragon); androgyne (Buddies in Bad Times); Esu Crossing the Middle Passage (Storefront), Lukumi (Tarragon); Once Upon a Black Boy (Crows); Concrete Jungle (Theatre Peckham UK). FILM & TELEVISION: Sunday Afternoon; Lord Have Mercy; 21 Black Futures. The Canadian Poet of Honour, author of twelve plays, seven albums & four collections of poetry, was recently recognised as a Global Leader in Theatre & Performance by Arts Council England. Creator of the Anitafrika Method and founding artistic director of Watah Theatre, d’bi.young’s current projects include conducting a global funding campaign to establish Ubuntu! Decolonial Arts Centre in Costa Rica, publishing dubbin theatre (a collection of their plays) and completing their PhD on Black womxn’s theatre in Canada.