The Tide

Cast

David Bennie -  I have a strong passion for dance, music, art/design, teaching and performing. This was ignited by the struggles I had in my past as a child immigrant, being left in the country to survive. So finding things to distract me, was the key to my success and talent. The willingness to help others smile as it made me smile. I was never good with words so I used my body as a Language within its self. At the young age of 12, I was really struggling with showing how I feel. And then there was the Arts school, where I learnt to dance, act and make music. With each step, the sound becoming a Letter, and each choreography, composition becoming a story, I slowly found myself, and learned how to express my true feelings while enlightening or uplifting others. 

My body as a has been itchy to move ever since and luckily, I am now teaching and doing what I love. 

But my story is not over yet... 

William Brettle – Recently graduated from Bodywork Company Dance Studios in 2018, training in numerous disciplines such as; Ballet, Jazz, hip-hop and Contemporary.  I am also a member of Elementz Entertainment, a Cambridge/London based hip-hop Company. Currently I'm looking to explore hip-hop Theatre and other creative pathways. I'm very excited to be working with Talawa and the Creatives. 

Jono Helsby - A drummer, born & bred in North London, Jono took up drumming at the age of 10 and these days works as a freelance musician and teacher. Heavily influenced by soul, rock, jazz and funk from the 60's and 70's, he applies a strong sense of groove and support to his playing and brings open ears and an open mind to all musical situations. This, along with his willingness to experiment with sound and texture, is what sets him apart.

Jackie Kibuka - An authentic and passionate movement artist with over 10 years experience. Confident and sassy mover in various dance styles including popping, waacking vogue, breaking, locking, house and Hip Hop. Loves performing and freestyling, and also aspiring to take choreographic skills to the next level as well as looking to inspire many others along the way. Credits include Breaking Convention, LFW AW18, Diversity Live, ITV Loose Women, Got to Dance S1, Resolution Festival, Resilience showcase 17&19 and Powerhouse showcase 16&17. 

Elsabet Yonas -  A movement artist, with a background in hip-hop. Movement is Elsabet's main tool of expression, but at the core of her work is a passion for storytelling. Recent stage work includes ‘A/Free-Can’ (Zinnema Theatre, Brussels) and ‘What I don’t remember’ (Sadlers Wells, London). Film collaborations include 'Sisterhood' and 'Mariposas', with a focus on broadening visibility for women of colour. Elsabet is also a teacher/mentor leading weekly classes for UCL, Roundhouse & Step In To Dance. She is currently working in her community as a ‘Tottenham UpLIFTer’ on a five-year project making art accessible to teenagers.  

Creatives

Ryan Cameron – Co-creator

Ryan is the winner of the 2018 Off West End Adopt A Playwright Award for his play RHAPSODY, which was produced at the Arcola in March 2018.  He is an alumnus of the Royal Court writer’s programme 2017 and the Soho Young Company 2016/17. 

Ryan’s play QUEENS OF SHEBA won the 2018 Edinburgh Untapped Award having played to sell-out audiences at the Camden Peoples Theatre in October 2017.   Its 4 week run at Edinburgh Fringe Fest 2018 sold out, garnering 4 and 5 star reviews across the board and winning the Edinburgh Stage Award 2018.

Ryan is currently on attachment with the Royal Court Theatre and has also been commissioned by the Royal Court Theatre.

Jade Hacket – Co-creator

Hip-hop Theatre practitioner, Jade Hackett, is a dance activist who uses movement to address both social and cultural issues. Using her knowledge of street dance styles, she explores themes around women, the black experience, mass incarceration and freedom of speech.

Other hip-hop theatre productions include 'Blaze: The International Tour', Lawrence Olivier Award winning production 'The Pied Piper' by Boy Blue Entertainment as well as Zoonations 'Into The Hoodz: Remixed', 'The Mad Hatter's Tea Party' and 'Sylvia'. Theatre plays 'Do not pop' written by Ashley Joseph and 'Nine Night' written by Natasha Gordon. 

Alison Holder - Producer

Alison is an independent producer, company producer for Helen Chadwick Song Theatre and producer for The Mono Box.  Recently an English Touring Theatre Forge Associate (2018/19) and producing coordinator at the Bush Theatre.  

Productions include: The Tide (Talawa); Future Bodies by RashDash/HOME/Unlimited Theatre (HOME and UK tour), Truth by Helen Chadwick and Steven Hoggett(Birmingham Rep, Southbank Centre and UK tour); Becoming by Ayo-Dele Edwards (Stratford Circus Arts Centre); PLAYSTART The Mono Box (The Biscuit Factory); Booby’s Bay by Henry Darke (Finborough Theatre / Wardrobe Theatre/Porthcothan Cornwall); How It Ended by Hannah Khalil (Bush Theatre).

Through her audio platform LunAH Productions work includes; Barnardo’s Black History and Una Marson Speaks (LunAH). Single (BBCR4).

Samantha Nurse - Production Manager

Samantha is a freelance theatre practitioner who has enjoyed a long career as a Technical Stage Manager, Company and Production Manager. She has worked with a diverse range of arts organisations and provides training opportunities to raise the profile of stage mangers and technicians in theatre and live performance. Samantha is particularly interested in new work and bringing the theatre experience to communities.

Molly Greta O’Neill - Stage Manager 

Molly is a recent graduate in Drama and Theatre Arts from Goldsmiths’, University of London. She is also one of the co-creators and co-directors of Ghosted Ink: Arts Collective. Molly is registered with the Stage Managers Association and she loves getting to work with companies and to help them bring their work to fruition.

Credits include: Mélange Festival- Goldsmiths University (Tristan Bates Theatre, 2018), BEIGE WALLS AND NAVY SOFAS- Ghosted Ink Art’s Collective (Catford Fringe Festival, New Cross, Camden Fringe, 2018-2019), Congratulations You B@$t@*D!– Ghosted Ink Art’s Collective (Edinburgh Festival Fringe, London, Kendal, 2018), Improvised Therapy– The Barry Brian and Bean Company (Edinburgh Festival Fringe, London, Toronto Fringe Festival, 2018-2019), Ellipsis– The Raincoat Optimist Collective (London, 2018), Side Orders– Antonym Theatre (Edinburgh Festival Fringe, London, 2017).

Natalie Pryce - Designer

Natalie graduated from Wimbledon College of Art with a degree in Theatre Design for Performance.

Theatre includes: Designing; The Ugly Duckling Christmas Special (Hull Truck Theatre); Not Now Bernard (The Unicorn Theatre); The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark (The Unicorn Theatre); My Mother Medea (The Unicorn Theatre) After The Ball (Upstairs at The Gatehouse). Costume supervising; The Winter’s Tale (Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre); Things of Dry Hours (The Young Vic Theatre); Ramona Tells Jim (The Bush Theatre). 

Michael Sebastian - Musician

Michael Sebastian improvises dance music in real time. His music has the structure of modern electronic; the freedom of jazz, and the depth of world music. Using guitar, vocals, beatbox, and a synth, he layers ideas on the fly, creating a rich, vibrant sound.

After years developing his sound on the streets of London, Sebastian uses his improvised music in a variety of contexts, from contemporary dance, to clubs. He has recently played his way back from Berlin to London, and spent two months playing in Bali, encouraging improvisation and cross-disciplinary collaboration where-ever he goes.