GRUBB The Musical

Because those who have no voice should be able to sing.

Because education is the shortest route to emancipation.

Because art is a homeland for those who have none.

Because there should be a dialogue between the Romany people

and the rest of the world.

Because it is high time that Romanies under twenty had the opportunity to tell us what they are and what they aren’t.

Because indifference kills more people than all the bombs in the world.

Because it is no longer acceptable to act as if the segregation of

Romanies does not exist.

Because it is no longer acceptable to act as if they do not exist.

Because it is important to go beyond clichés and trite generalizations.

Because we are not always the Gypsies you would like us to be.

Because we have something to say to you and we invite you to hear it.

For all these reasons…

G.R.U.B.B.

RPOINT is producing this show to give a voice to Roma children internationally. All profits will go to Roma education programmes.

November 2009 to January 2011 – In Belgrade, Nis and Novi Sad 50 Roma young people participate in weekly workshops and fortnightly master classes led by a highly successful international creative team who are donating their time and skills to create the show GRUBB.

We are currently holding rehearsals in Belgrade.

Our first show is at the Bitef Theatre, Belgrade at the end of May. Tickets go on sale shortly.

We will be performing at the Indigo2, London 11th June. You can buy tickets here.

GRUBB opens at the Montreal Jazz Festival in June, you can buy tickets here.

CREATIVE TEAM

Serge Denoncourt, Canadian Director and Writer

His love of theatre and versatile creative talent have led him to an international career, from directing for the Cirque du Soleil show (Criss Angel Believe) to operas, to highly extravagant and poetical magic shows (Arturo Brachetti, Gaetano Trigliano) to pop star tours (Eros Ramazotti world tour) to musicals (le Blues de la Metropole).

Michael Curry, American, Set Designer

Michael Curry is one of the world’s leading production designers. He works widely in both conceptual and technical development with the foremost entertainment companies such as Cirque du Soleil, the Metropolitan Opera, London’s Royal National Theatre, Disney Theatrical Productions, LA Opera, and Universal Pictures. He collaborates regularly with directors such as Robert Lepage, Nicholas Hytner, Julie Taymor and William Friedken. Michael owns and operates Michael Curry Design Inc, which designs and creates live-performance oriented dimensional characters and productions, such as those seen by world-wide audiences in the 1996 and 2002 Olympics opening and closing ceremonies, Superbowl 2000, and New York City’s epoch 2000 millennium event.

Patrick Woodroffe, British, Lighting Designer

Patrick has lit and directed the concerts of many of the top names in the music world including Bob Dylan, Peter Gabriel, Michael Jackson, Elton John, The Police, The Rolling Stones, and Take That. He was also responsible for the theatrical lighting of the three feature films - Shine A Light (Rolling Stones/Scorsese), High School Musical 3 for Disney and This Is It, the film of Michael Jackson’s last rehearsals.

Francis Collard, Canadian, Music Producer

Francis Collard is a gifted musician whose talents range from composing and arranging to production and sound engineering. He has contributed to many successful albums, remixes and films with celebrated Quebecois artists such as Ariane Moffatt, Stéphanie Lapointe, Brigitte Boisjoli and Brazilian sensation Paulo Ramos. Francis has also collaborated on the production of several television shows, radio broadcasts and live performances. In 2004, he was also invited to join Cirque du Soleil's ‘Delirium’ team as a musical director, composer, producer and arranger.

Olivier Goulet & Gabriel Coutu Dumont, Canadian, Video Designer

Olivier Goulet & Gabriel Coutu Dumont started the multi-media design company Geodesik two years ago. They have designed videos and visual effects for many artists including Justin Timberlake, Pink, Cher, and The Killers.

Francois Barbeau, Canadian, Costume Designer

Francois Barbeau has participated in the creation of more than 500 productions worldwide for theatre, opera, ballet and film as costume designer, artistic director and director. Amongst many other prestigious awards he has won two Emmy awards for the artistic direction in the films ‘Kamouraska’ and ‘Eliza’s Horoscope’

Menno Meyjes, Dutch, Script Advisor

Menno was nominated for an Oscar for his screenplay for the 1985 film The Color Purple, directed by Steven Spielberg. In 1989 he co-wrote Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade with George Lucas. He wrote and directed ‘Max’ starring John Cusack, ‘Martian Child’ starring John Cusack, Joan Cusack and Anjelica Huston and ‘Manolete’ starring Penelope Cruz and Adrian Brody.

Arturo Brachetti, Italian, Magic Effects Advisor

Arturo is an illusionist, director and actor with an impressive international career. His one man show has been touring the world for the last ten years. He has directed many shows, concerts and events. His acting credits include films, sitcoms and his own TV show in Italy.

Wade Robson, Australian, Choreographer

Wade has choreographed and directed music videos, commercials, award shows and world tours for artists such as Britney Spears, NSYNC, Usher and Pink. He created, produced and starred in MTV’s hit series, The Wade Robson Project. Since then he has created commercials, award winning short films and groundbreaking choreography for Fox’s ‘So You Think You Can Dance’.

Nico Archambault, Canadian, Choreographer

Nico is a versatile dancer and choreographer, proficient in a mix of styles, including contemporary, hip-hop, jazz and tap. Winner of the first season “So You Think You Can Dance Canada”. Nico has performed and choreographed in countless Canadian TV shows and music videos.

Natalie Meyjes, American, Choreographer

Natalie joined the San Francisco Ballet in 1979. Her repertoire included principal and soloist roles in Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, Les Sylphides, and contemporary works by Lew Christensen, George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, Arthur Mitchell, George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, Elisa Monte, Jiri Kylian, James Kudelka, Michael Smuin, David Bintley, and William Forsythe.