Groundwork Redux

is an ad-hoc assembly

of artists and projects

creating art,

performance,

and community activations.

we return

to the ground

on which we stand

afrocentrism

mentorship

reciprocity

joy

We value arts-based community organizing for social justice and create opportunities for connection and exchange. We return to the ground we stand on through embodied research of Afro-Caribbean forms like jonkunno, ritual theatre, and dub poetry, in reverence to the history of the land we occupy. We honour our histories of collective care through reciprocal mentorship and holistic development through exchange.

daniel

jelani

ellis

AKA

danjelani

AKA

dani

is a Tkaròn:to-based artist raised in Jamaica by a village of theatre artists, poets, and educators. His art practice includes performance-installation, playwriting, dub poetry, and acting. In his artistic work, danjelani challenges colonial cultural authority by examining and exploring the ways this authority clashes, connects, and intersects with Afro-diasporic traditions and methodologies. As a Black queer immigrant he is committed to celebrating those of us who live within the margins.

danjelani has performed across Canada and the Caribbean, including The First Stone (New Harlem Productions/Great Canadian Theatre Company/Buddies in Bad Times Theatre), The Bridge (Neptune/Obsidian/2b), Risky Phil (Young People’s Theatre), The Circle (Tarragon Theatre) and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Pacific Opera Victoria). He was the director of We Other Sons’ workshop production of What’s Done Must Come and assistant director on workshop productions of Black Boys by Saga Collectif and Dark Love by Donna-Michelle St. Bernard.

Recipient of The Theatre Centre's Emerging Artist Award, Merritt Award Nomination and 5 Dora Award Nominations. Graduate of the National Theatre School of Canada and alumnus of the Playwrights Unit at Obsidian Theatre Company and Emerging Creators Unit at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. At CARIFESTA XIV, the Caribbean’s foremost festival of arts and culture, ellis represented Canada with his solo show speaking of sneaking.

danjelani has been resident artist at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre and BAND (Black Artists’ Network in Dialogue) Gallery and Cultural Centre and is currently in residency at The Theatre Centre. He was the Artistic Programs Manager at Paprika Festival and now works for Obsidian Theatre Company as the Metcalf Intern Artistic Director.

ellis is a caretaker to plenty plants and Mosi the dog.

collaborators & community