Paula Lindo – Our histories, stories, present, future.

Canadian-Jamaican actor Daniel Jelani Ellis will be performing his play, Speaking of Sneaking, as part of Carifesta XIV. The actor, son of renowned comedian Owen “Blacka” Ellis, is part of the Canadian contingent participating in the Festival.

Ellis has been involved in theatre since a young age. He said his first foray into theatre was when he accompanied his father to adjudicate a competition in Jamaica. “My father reminded me of how I got into theatre recently. There’s a tiny performance space at the Jamaica School of Drama called ‘Theatre After Dark’. It’s really a small classroom with a stage, lights and a minuscule backstage area. (Producer and former Ms Jamaica World) Cathi Levy was using the space for an internal competition for her troupe of youth performers, Little People and Teen Players Club. She asked my father, Owen ‘Blakka’ Ellis, to adjudicate the competition and he took me with him. Each time the performers exited the stage I ran on and did a little performance. Cathi was impressed, invited me to audition and later that year I became the youngest member of Cathi’s troupe.”

After attending the National Theatre School of Canada and the University of Toronto, Ellis began acting in both film and theatre. He’s had roles in films such as Third World Cop, Home Again, Stonewall and The SkyJacker’s Tale. In addition to acting in plays such as A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Scorched, The Winter’s Tale, Picasso’s Black Canvas and The Caucasian Chalk Circle, he is a playwright and has assistant directed on plays such as Black Boys and Dark Love. The services of Daniel Jelani Ellis are made possible in part through the Obsidian Associates Program.

Ellis said one of the things he is most proud of is “to be representing Canada at Carifesta. In 1981 my father travelled with a contingent of Jamaican artists to Barbados for Carifesta IV. He was one of the theatre artists who performed in “Dog” by Denis Scot, directed by Rawle Gibbons, a production daddy still considers his favourite. 38 years later and here I go to Trinidad with a contingent of Canadian-Caribbean artists to Carifesta XIV where I’ll perform my solo show ‘Speaking of Sneaking’. I get to represent Canada where I’ve had incredible training and mentorship and bunununus community and love. I get to honour my homeland Jamaica which birthed me and my art practice. This is my first time in T&T. I’m looking forward to sharing space with the Caribbean folks and I’m excited to see the craftsmanship of the artists and artisans.”

Ellis’ solo show, speaking of sneaking, was created by him and directed by Anitafrika D’Bi Young, who is also in T&T. Ellis said “speaking of sneaking is about a young man called Ginnal who is desperate to flee from Yard and settle in Foreign. When he meets a Spider who sets him on the journey towards a new home, Ginnal learns the real cost of freedom. The show is a multidisciplinary mash-up of dance, poetry and pantomime where the archetypal Jamaican ginnal and the mythical African Anansi meet. speaking of sneaking was inspired by experiences of growing up queer in Jamaica and finding home in Canada.”

Ellis’ performance will take place at the Little Carib Theatre, corner Roberts and White Streets, Woodbrook, Port-of-Spain, on August 20, beginning at 6 pm. Admission is free.