VOICES FROM THE EDGE XII

PARTICIPATING ARTISTS

DANIEL CARLTON is an actor, writer, teacher, storyteller, and director who has appeared on New York, national, and international stages. A veteran of numerous Off and Off- Off Broadway productions his work has also been both seen and/or created in schools, homeless shelters, and throughout the criminal justice system.  Notably, Daniel was a member of The Children Of War Theatre Project (Dir. Larry Sacharow) based on the actual stories of children in war-torn areas around the world, and has been performed in Moscow, Sarajevo, San Francisco, Amsterdam, Cambodia, and New York City.

He is the primary playwright of Shelter: Refugees of The American Dream, which was produced by Blackberry Productions during the Fall of 2002. Creation? his multi-character solo show has been seen both locally and nationally.  During the summer of 2002 he helped to create a theatre lab at the Windy Brow Theatre In Johannesburg, South Africa.

As a storyteller he has toured extensively with his The Eagle In Harlem And Other Tales, adapted folktales and original stories from the African American and, Afro-Latino canons. Timeless Journeys, a series of seven fictional monologues based on the actual history of free African Americans in Brooklyn over a hundred-year period is currently being produced by The Weeksville Heritage Society for onsite performances and workshops.  He is developing a new show entitled, It Came From Them: Stories of Inventors Of Color.  Daniel is the Artistic Director of Committed Artists Of Color.

After touring Europe, DYALEKT returned to Prague, CZ to record and Release Hop 'n' Nob, a Czech Beatbox/ New York MC collaborative record on Jim Beam Music. Dyalekt performed on several radio and TV shows, including the 5th Element and Nacth Mit Andiel. In addition, Square Peg Syndrome was debuted in Prague at Divadlo Archa. Most recently, Dyalekt performed Square Peg in St. Croix and used the accompanying education program A History of Me to produce a poetry book, musical CD, and documentary with over 400 students in 17 schools and organizations on the island, ranging from youth prisons to jr high, high school, and college students.

"DJ MILK MONEY" Mike Jones has been rocking the turntables with Brooklyn’s MINDSpray Crew for more than four years. Known for his ability to break new and independent records while still keeping the party jumping, Milk holds down the Freestyle Mondays at Sin Sin, an audacious open mic with a live band. He can also be seen on the wheels at Goodworld on Saturdays, and at Brookyn’s Supreme Trading. An NYU Graduate, Mike performed with D’Bate, a Hip Hop based Lincoln-Douglas debate, at The New School. When he’s not busy getting the party started, MilkMoney is busy in the studio. In 2006, he released the mixtape DJ MilkMoney Presents… For the Further Unification of our People, and dropped cuts on the MINDSpray EP What’s Inside? Recently Milk has ventured into the world of Hip Hop Theatre, collaborating with Dyalekt for Square Peg Syndrome, a “two turntables and a microphone” show. He has performed the show in the Virgin Islands, and recently toured Europe with MINDSpray. MilkMoney has also begun to work with youth in NYC.

ROLAND HAYES ROBINSON (Writer/Performer: Big Man) is originally from Brooklyn, New York.  A former therapist, he holds advanced degrees from Fisk University and Harvard Divinity School.  Roland also studied Neuroscience and Health Education at Teachers College, Columbia University and completed the Leadership for Change Certificate Program at the Carroll School of Management, Boston College.  Roland appeared in five productions at Wheelock Family theatre (which is affiliated with Wheelock College), including Tuck Everlasting,  Anne of Green Gables and The Prince and the Pauper”  Among his other credites:  Albert J. Peterson in Bye Bye Birdie, Cephas Miles in Home, John Rugby in The Merry Wives of Windsor and Lucien P. Smith in The Boys Next Door.  Roland also appeared in three radio plays with the Public Media Foundation, located in Boston.  Roland is the founder of PROBITY Theatre company.

WYATT JACKSON (Maalik: BIG MAN ) is originally from Boston, MA.  Wyatt performed throughout New England with his own Hip-Hop crew in the 1980s.  Finishing the tour, he then landed a recording contract with Warner Brothers Records, under the corporate direction of actor Michael Douglas.  The Hip-Hop/R&B duo, HERE AND NOW, toured with BET, Atlantic Records and worked along side Hip-Hop notables such as Tupac Shakur and Snoop Dogg.  The chart-climbing release generated two hit songs, “Are You Ready” and “Tastin Love Again”—the latter landing him the soundtrack to the Paramount Picture release, Losing Isaiah.  His recent credits are:  “Black and Blue” (European Tour), “Heaven and the Homeboy” (George Faison, NYC) and “Divas Live VH1” starring Aretha Franklin and Janet Jackson.  Wyatt also worked with the acclaimed Boston Youth Theater for seven years.  Wyatt was cast in the European tour, “Body and Soul” where he worked with Tony Award winner George Faison, Mercedes Ellington, and Andre Heller.  His work with Anne Devere Smith and the Institute on the Arts and Civic Dialogue at Harvard University prepared him to confront issues depicted in “Big Man.”

TOYCE FRANCIS (Stephen, BIG MAN ) is making his New York theatrical debut in the role of Stephen in Big Man. Toyce has been a performer most of his life, studying voice well into his college career at the University of CT. He went on to complete two graduate degrees before returning to his first love, performing.  Toyce has been featured in productions of Into the Woods (Prince Charming), Cats (Rum Tum Tugger) Ferris Wheel (John), As I Sat Typing (Adam), as well as ensemble for productions of Joseph and his Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Once On This Island.  When Toyce is not busy pursuing his acting career, he is busy running his web design company, Prodigal Sun Design. (prodigalsun.com) Toyce would like to thank his friends and family for encouraging him to chase his dreams and always cheering like he was Denzel Washington even if he forgot a line or missed a note.