Panamá: The Musical — raising the curtain of success!
Our Panamá-Canada co-production team represents the BEST OF THE BEST from both countries
Yolanda van der Kolk-Brown
Co-writer Book, Music & Lyrics
Yolanda studied art and photography at OCA and Ryerson in Toronto, apprenticed under Peter Horvath for 3 years and was one of Canada’s leading beauty, fashion and corporate photographers for over twenty years. She is also a gifted painter, graphic artist, singer and now storyteller.
For Yolanda, the writing of PANAMÁ: THE MUSICAL was a cathartic exploration to understand how family use each other in the name of love. “I feel many people will relate to the story premise: Everyone has their own agenda, but true love is unconditional.” Young people must define their ambitions sooner than later - or others will choose for them."
T. Rob Brown
Co-writer Book, Executive Producer and General Manager
T. Rob Brown has spent the last 35 years marketing the arts through his company Arts Marketing Services www.artsmarketing.com. He has written a newspaper travel column, a retirement blog www.retirementdetectives.com, five theatrical plays, a feature screenplay, four murder mystery musicals, and co-founded the International Film Festival of Panama http://iffpanama.org/en/iff-panama-foundation.
Rob is also the Artistic Director of PaCT - Panamá and Coclé Theatre.
This is his first time writing a full-scale musical, working with his wife of 25 years Yolanda. LinkedIn and Facebook: T Rob Brown
Tara Van der Kolk
Co-writer Music & Lyrics
Tara is a singer/songwriter, having graduated from the Rosedale Performing Arts School in Toronto, she went on to University of Toronto and is now a registered massage therapist in Toronto. She performs her songs in Toronto area clubs.
Tara has performed in musical productions in the past, but this is her first time composing a musical as a co-writer, music and lyrics.
Monalisa Arias
Director
Monalisa most recently directed Cats to rave reviews and Seussical The Musical for the US Embassy in Panama. Multi-talented Monalisa is the Artistic Director of The Space, a Cultural Center located in the heart of El Carmen. Monalisa received her training at The London Drama Academy, The College of William and Mary, The Society of American Fight Directors and The Center for Movement Theatre.
As an actress, Washington DC appearances included Mother Courage and Her Children at Arena Stage with Kathleen Turner in the title role, The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui with Catalyst Theatre Company (Helen Hayes Award), Ana in The Tropics and The Knight from Olmedo at GALA Hispanic Theatre.
Dino Nugent
Music Director
Dino Nugent is officially our Music Director! He is a professor at the National Institute of Music and participated as a pianist, arranger and co-producer on the grammy-winning CD "La Rosa de Los Vientos,” by singer-songwriter Rubén Blades.
Rigoberto Rodríguez
Choreographer
Another win for Panamá: The Musical! Renowned Panamanian dancer and choreographer, Rigoberto Rodríguez, has done choreographic works for national and international artists. Since 1997 he has been the choreographer of the largest production show in Panama: The Opening of the Telethon 20-30, as well as other mega national projects like Señorita Panamá, Singing for a Dream, Dancing for a Dream and the Gala of the Panama Canal Reversal, directed by maestro Bruce Queen.
His choreographies were featured at the Burohaha International Street Festival in Liverpool, England and in New York. In 2004 he founded the prestigious ballet E-mage Dance Company, where he is also Director and Choreographer to date.
David Warrack
Co-producer, Music Supervisor
We are proud and excited at the prospect of working with the incredibly talented and successful David Warrack. David is the most produced writer of Musical Theatre in Canada, with over 70 musicals to his credit, including some of the longest running shows in Canadian Theatre history.
Learn more about this man's distinguished career ...
Robert McQueen
Dramaturge
Director, dramaturge and teacher, Robert McQueen, has worked across the United States, Canada and internationally.
On Broadway Robert was the Associate Director of MAMMA MIA and directed the US National, Las Vegas, Mexico City, Sao Paulo and Buenos Aires companies of the show. Robert was also the Resident Director on the National Tour of the Hal Prince and Susan Stroman production of SHOWBOAT.
Check out Robert's impressive bio: www.hbstudio.org/instructors/mcqueen-robert
