SUMMERWORKS FESTIVAL 2025
THE SANKOFA TRILOGY:
blood.claat, benu and word! sound! powah!
written by d'bi.young anitafrika
Experience a pantodub theatre griot posse workshop reading of d’bi.young anitafrika’s acclaimed trilogy, featuring a dynamic mix of practitioners from The Black Theatre School in collaboration with mid-career artists at the Summerworks Festival, presented by the Watah Theatre.
THE SANKOFA TRILOGY is anitafrika’s two-time Dora Award-winning triptych of biomyth monodramas, featuring the plays blood.claat, benu, & word! sound! powah! Having recently completed their PhD in Black performance aesthetics, anitafrika reimagines the trilogy with an expanded cast. It journeys through extraordinary stories of three generations of powerful Jamaican womyn – Mudgu Sankofa, her daughtxr Sekesu, and hxr granddaughter Benu whose stories traverse the intersections of gender, race, class, hxrstory – and their resolute belief in blood, truth, and r/evolution. blood.claat was nominated for 5 Dora Awards including Outstanding Design, Outstanding Direction and Outstanding Production. benu and word! sound! powah! has received numerous Critic’s Picks and Audience Choice Awards.
**Advisories: Content includes simulated weaponry, depictions of blood and contains mature themes including sexual abuse, profane language, and police violence.
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
BLOOD.CLAAT
Wednesday, April 13th, 2025 at 6:00 PM
BENU
Friday, April 15th, 2025 at 9:00 PM
WORD! SOUND! POWAH!
Saturday, April 17th, 2025 at 1:00 PM
VENUE:
The Theatre Centre, Franco Boni Theatre
1115 Queen Street West in Toronto
Tickets are available for $15, $30, or $45
A NOTE FROM OUR PLAYWRIGHT
Dear Global Village,
Welcome to the Pantodub Theatre workshop of the Sankofa Trilogy. Thank you for accepting our invitation to this storytelling ritual as we re-imagine the world of three generations of powerful Jamaican womyn—Mudgu, Sekesu, and Benu Sankofa.
Over 20 years ago, I embarked upon a journey with Weyni Mengesha, who directed and dramaturged the first iterations of ‘blood.claat’. ‘blood.claat’, the first play in the trilogy, was developed in the nurturing environment of my friendship with Mengesha. This context of co-creation was crucial in laying the foundation for my arts practice that emerged over the past twenty years of writing ‘blood.claat’, ‘benu’, and word! sound! powah! The Black performance frameworks that I have cultivated in my Anitafrika Dub Praxis include the Anitafrika Method, Critical Dub Pedagogy, Dubography, Biomyth Monodrama and Pantodub Theatre. In witnessing the triptych, you will encounter the embodiment of these forms.
The three plays began as Biomyth Monodramas and I am now re-envisioning them as Pantodub Theatre works in this Summerworks edition. Having recently culminated my PhD in Black womyn’s theatre and having returned to Tkaronto to establish the Black Theatre School (BTS), I am in experimentation with some of the African-Caribbean derived artistic praxes and aesthetics that are centered in my research. As a playwright and director, it has been a revelatory process working with an ensemble to create Pantodub theatre.
As we navigate the politics and performance of the works in this global ecology where revolutionary resistance to white supremacy and ongoing colonial genocidal erasure of global majority peoples, fills our bodies and spirits, I have experienced a death and rebirth into my life’s calling. It has been inspiring, healing and joyful to work with the Griot Posse and creative team of the Sankofa Trilogy (some of whom are current BTS practitioners), especially at this moment when the world is on fire and violence against the planet and its people proliferates.
Dramaturging and Directing the trilogy with a room of invigorated Black arts practitioners and our stage weaver Sofia, has rooted me in our urgent commitment to art for social transformation. To our producer Sue-Tanya, our choreographer Ern, our sound designer Stephon, our stage weaver Sofia, our marketing weaver Sashoya and the members of the Griot Posse, Kabrena, Josemar, KayGeni, Chris, Samantha, Nadine, Keira, and Elle, you are phenomenal storytellers who make me excited to be in circle with you each and every day. And to Summerworks Festival for being, yet again, a space for me to grow and develop, thank you.
Global Village, I hope you receive this offering in the spirit of Ubuntu in which we share it! I am because you are because we are. Ase Ancestors. Ase Spirit Guides. Ase Orishas. Ase Ase Ase.
For Amah Harris—Thank you for giving us Theatre. Rest in Peace and Rise in Power.
*To learn more about d’bi.young anitafrika’s phd thesis and dub praxis visit dbiyounganitafrika.com/phd-abstract
PRODUCTION WEAVERS
d'bi.young anitafrika
playwright / director
2025 Johanna Metcalf Performing Arts Prize winner d’bi.young anitafrika, is an internationally acclaimed visionary dub poet, playwright-performer, director-dramaturge, and activist-scholar, who creates, embodies, and teaches critical dub pedagogy. Culminating their PhD in Black womyn’s theatre, their research centers on the embodied emancipation of the oppressed self through storytelling. d’bi.young developed the Anitafrika Method—a nurturant Black-queer-feminist pedagogy of knowing, doing, and being. A widely anthologized Siminovitch Playwright Prize finalist, three-time Dora award winner, and founding Artistic Director of Watah Theatre, and Spolrusie Press, d’bi.young has authored twelve plays, seven albums, and four poetry collections. They currently serve as lead faculty in the training programs of Soulpepper and Obsidian theatre companies; recently completing a term in UVic’s theatre department. d’bi.young’s present initiatives include leading the national Black Womyn in Theatre Digital Archive project, establishing the Black Theatre School, and preparing for the 20th-anniversary staging of their multi-ward-winning classic—The Sankofa Trilogy—at the Theatre Centre.
Sue-Tanya Lee
producer
Sue-Tanya Lee is an Afro-Jamaican theatre producer and creator who is interested in developing works by artists from marginalized communities and creating space for new and innovative multidisciplinary work that pushes boundaries and challenges conventional storytelling in bold new ways. She is currently an Apprentice Producer and Production Weaver with the Black Theatre School founded by d’bi.young anitafrika. Associate Director: LULU (Toronto Fringe Festival, 2025). Producing credits include: Bitty-Bat & Friends (Toronto Fringe Festival, 2025); Neptune With A Fish (Paprika Festival, 2025); Star People (Leigha Lee Browne Theatre); The Refugee Hotel (Leigha Lee Browne Theatre).
Ern In Motion
choreographer
Kelly-Ann Johnson, known as Ern, is a multi-talented artist from Sweet Jam Dung (Jamaica) whose passion for dance and performance spans numerous styles, including Dancehall, Jazz, Afro-Caribbean Folk, Vogue, and more. Since moving to Canada in 2011, Ern has graced prestigious stages, including the Dora Award-nominated Convergent Divergency – “Give Me One” with the Toronto Dance Theatre and Myst Milano’s Uncanny Valley Tour. She has also worked with high-profile campaigns like Adidas x Toronto FC and collaborated on music videos for artists such as Sean Paul and Sydanie. Beyond performance, Ern excels in choreography, movement direction, and coaching. As a prominent member of the Supreme Kiki House of Christian Siriano, she led workshops, taught at top dance studios, and contributed to fashion events like New York Fashion Week. Ern’s goal is to inspire through movement, leaving a lasting impact on both the artistic world and those she mentors.
Sofia Di Cicco
stage weaver
Sofia Di Cicco is thrilled to be working on her first production with Watah Theatre. She graduated from the Performance Production program at Toronto Metropolitan University. Recent credits include: Queer Youth Cabaret (SoulPepper), Poz (Theatre Topikos), David and Jonathan (Opera Atelier), Cinderella (Torrent Productions), SoulPepper Academy Showcase (SoulPepper), and Alphonse (Theaturtle/Carousel Theatre). She also works as a freelance lighting designer and is the General Manager of Pickles Theatre Co.
Stephon Smith
sound designer
Stephon Smith, aka Spliffon is a versatile actor, rapper, songwriter, producer, and sound designer from Toronto. With a background in Hip-Hop, R&B, Reggae, and Dancehall, he has worked on numerous productions, from theatre sound design to music. Stephon seeks to collaborate with more artists and further expand his creative range.
Sashoya Simpson
marketing
Sashoya Simpson is an Afro-Jamaican cultural leader, writer, storyteller, theatre practitioner, audiobook narrator and children’s book author. Her artistic work embodies Caribbean folklore knowledge and cultural practices through theatre performance, visual and literary art. She’s currently the Associate Artistic Director of the Watah Theatre and the Black Theatre School and is the 2025 recipient of Toronto Arts Foundation Che Kothari Artist and Instigator Award (2025) and a Johanna Metcalf Performing Arts Prizes protege (2025).
GRIOT POSSE
Kabrena Robinson
Kabrena Robinson is a Queer Afro-Jamaican of Accompong Maroon lineage and a dynamic multidisciplinary storyteller. Her work spans theatre, dub poetry, and creative writing, centring ancestral wisdom, identity, and healing. As an Artist-in-Residence at the Black Theatre School, she creates transformative stories that liberate, connect, and uplift marginalized voices across generations and borders.
Keira Forde
Keira Marie Forde is a multidisciplinary artist and community arts producer. Keira’s work focuses on culturally relevant pedagogy and amplifying youth voices in Toronto. Select credits include NYC’s Richest Man (TV), Suitable Climate (B current/SummerWorks), Christie Pits Riot (Hogtown Collective), and original work No More News for Nancy.
Elle De Lyon
Elle De Lyon is a multidisciplinary artist, creative producer, director, spoken word music artist, author, and emerging playwright of Guyanese heritage. Drawing inspiration from dub poets and griots, she weaves together writing, performance, visual and media arts to explore ancestral knowledge and deepen her cultural connection. For her, art is a decolonial act—casting words as spells to transmute trauma into testimony and silence into story. As an arts educator, she builds platforms that reconnect community to culture. She is currently working on several creative writing projects that merge her many practices and explore new forms of storytelling for stage and screen.
Josemar
Josimar Tulloch, known artistically as Josemar. Born in the vibrant island of Jamaica, he began his artistic journey using buckets, sticks, pots, and pans to make music. That early love for rhythm and storytelling shaped him into a modern-day Renaissance artist—a Singer, Songwriter, Photographer, Actor, and Muay Thai Champion. A JUNO-nominated artist, his work is rooted in self-expression, healing, and transformation, blending movement, music, and narrative to inspire and connect with audiences
Chris Otchere
Chris Otchere (He/They) is a Ghanaian - Canadian Queer Actor, Singer, and Dancer born and raised in Central Etobicoke. Chris is excited to be playing multiple roles to share the important themes and experiences shown in The SANKOFA Trilogy . Chris is currently residing in Oakville as he finishes his 4th year at Sheridan College ,for their BFA in Music Theatre. He would like to give a big shoutout to his friends and family for their unconditional love and support , and to the entire cast and crew for their help to tell these important stories . For future shows and to catch more follow him on Instagram @chris.otchereee.
Nadine Brown
Nadine Brown, originally from the UK, is an actress, dance and drama facilitator, choreographer, and movement director. She brings vibrant cultural experiences to life on stage and in classrooms, drawing on her expertise in Caribbean folk traditions and African diaspora practices to celebrate heritage and inspire connection through her teaching.
KayGeni
KayGeni is a Toronto based multidisciplinary creator and storyteller originally from the Bahamas. She is known for her work in performance, writing, and visual arts often sharing personal experiences through an honest and vulnerable approach. Her work and music is heavily influenced by the colours, textures, vibration and cultural tapestry of her home country, The Bahamas. Prominent themes of whimsical Afro femininity, striking shapes and vibrant colours can be felt in her work. KayGeni is passionate about amplifying the voices of Black and POC children through art. Outside of her work as an artist and performer, she develops and facilitates Creative arts workshops intended to build confidence through creative expression. Recently, she started Skool of Magik- a creative art practice specializing in the Magik of creativity, where she facilitates personalized lessons in finding one’s voice through art.
Sam Banton
Sam Banton is a passionate lover of life and people. She writes songs and poems as an artistic expression of self. Sam comes alive with every opportunity to share her work through spoken word performances. She is excited to venture into the world of theatre as another medium of expression.
SONG CREDITS
All songs included in The Sankofa Trilogy, Summerworks Festival 2025
blood.claat:
Damien Marley - Welcome to Jamrock
Supercat - Ghetto Run Hot
Lady G - Breeze Off (Filthy Riddim)
Ministry of Miracles Healing School - Powerful Ogun Song To Break Cursed and Gain Prosperity
Mad Cobra - Flex
Bob Marley - Acoustic Medley
Beenie Man - King Of Dancehall
Musical Youth - Pass The Dutchie
Junior Reid - One Blood
benu:
Bob Marley - Acoustic Medley
Garnett Silk - It’s Growing
word! sound! powah!:
Shabba Ranks - Caan Done
Ms. Lou - Linstead Market
Vybz Kartel - Thank You Jah
I-Wayne - Living In Love
Bob Marley - Acoustic Medley
Yellowman - Zungguzungguguzungguzeng
Dirtsman - Hot This Year
Leftside & Esco - Tuck In Yuh Belly
Spragga Benz - Tings a Gwan
Wayne Wonder, Buju Banton - Bonafide Love