The Directors
Dollie Henry
Choreographer . Director . Educator
Dollie has led a highly respected career of 25 years as a creative artist, performer, choreographer, director and educator. Recognised as one of the most formidable exponents of jazz dance and theatre dance in Britain, her innovative and distinctive style captures the energy and passion so needed for the creative entertainment industry we work in today. Dollie brings to the dance and musical theatre world, the film and TV industry, a fresh exuberance and rarity found right here in Britain.
Dollie trained at Laine Theatre Arts and started here career as performer and choreographer in France with the 'Olivier Briac Dance Company' Returning to England at 19, she was invited by director & choreographer Dougie Squires to join his company The Second Generation for TV work in the U.K and Europe, numerous dance/musical productions and assistant to Mr. Squires.
As a Musical Theatre Choreographer & Director projects include for the West End and beyond: Sophisticated Ladies, Godspell, The Wiz, Blues in the Night, Annie, A Chorus Line, Little Shop of Horrors, Ain't Misbehavin, Salsa Celestina, Big Nose, Up Against The Wall, Sweet Charity, Guys & Dolls. Original choreographer & co-director for the hit musical Inner City Jam, The soul musical Blues Brother n Soul Sister, Tribute To Sammy Davis Jr, The Russ Abbot Madhouse Show. The European Tour of German dance production Fire of Dance, The Sun City Extravaganza (SA), The 70’s Musical Extravaganza Abbaddabbado at Blackpool Royal Opera House and the Diamond Jubilee Show at the North Pier Theatre, Blackpool, featuring the BOP Dancers.
Dollie also works with in the worlds of Ballet & Opera as jazz specialist, stage & movement director, companies include: Northern Ballet Theatre Company, UK, The Suzhou International Ballet Company, China, The Hong Kong Ballet Company, Israel Ballet Theatre, Jerusalem. Opera productions include: Carmen, Cry of Innocence & Salome.
Through her company BOP, Dollie continues to create an array of dance productions receiving welcomed reviews and continues to create new repertoire for the company as well as commissioned works performed both in the UK and internationally.
In creative collaboration with Paul and writer/performer Ray Shell she produced, devised and choreographed the new R&B musical White Folks - A Musical Fable. The full production for 'Off West End' was produced at the Pleasance Theatre. The studio recording of the musical is available at the London’s Covent Garden Theatre Music Store Dress Circle.
In the West End, Dollie regularly workshops the performers from the Disney production of the Lion King and has also held the position of co-artistic director/choreographer with a number of artistic UK & European dance companies including: Jazzxchange Dance Company, Bullies Ballerinas and Jazz Art U.K and Malmo Dans City, Sweden.
Over her career Ms. Henry has also had the pleasure of working with American creative artitsts: Dianne McIntyre, Georgre Faison, Woody King Jnr, Ron Kunene.
Her creative works, both as a freelance choreographer and artistic director have been performed at theatres and venues nationally and internationally, by many. She continues to lecture world-wide as a guest choreographer & director, delivering jazz dance and musical theatre masterclasses, workshops and seminars, alongside directing and choreographing productions for many theatrical universities and colleges. Dollie currently lectures on degree programs at London's top theatre universities; Central School of Speech & Drama and London Studio Centre. For many years, Dollie has been responsible for a multitude of performers past, present and the future, achieving their West End, musical theatre and creative dance careers. She has initiated and set up The BOP Dance & Arts Education Programme entitled Dance for Life in collaboration with schools throughout the UK & Europe and is currently working on a new Jazz Dance & Exercise DVD Progam to be released in the UK in 2008.
Dollie has been awarded with an Honorary Membership from the International Dance Teachers Association for her work, dedication and integrity to the dance world and is a guest choreographer, teaching jazz & theatre workshops at the Dance Space Inc. and Broadway Dance Center in New York.
In the commercial arena, Dollie has choreographed & staged numerous pop, jazz and theatre artists for stage and television, including: UK R&B Bands - Damage, Mis-Teeq, Soul Artist - Omar, Jonaye (2003 Mobo Best Newcomer), Rachel McFarlane, Kylie Minogue, Leo Sayer, Sinitta, Mari Wilson, Ruby Turner, Sharon D. Clarke, Shirley Bassey. From the Jazz world; Juliet Roberts, Barb Jungr, Claire Martin, Julie Dexter. TV & Theatre artists include: Brian Conley, Bella Emberg, Bobby Davro, Melinda Messenger, Danny la Rue, Julian Clary, Rolf Harris, Maria Freidman, Rhonda Burchmore, The Nicholas Brothers, Anthony Newley, Clarke Peters, Ray Shell, Frances Ruffelle, Rosie Ashe. Opera Diva-Cynthia Hyman. Dollie also directs and stages corporate, trade & fashion shows for Bally Shoes (UK & Europe), Dr Martins Shoes (UK), Wella Hair, Ford Cars, Pepper & Salt Corporate Events (Belgium & Luxembourg), Pride Fashion Fair, Angel22.TV
As a creative artist and mentor, Dollie is revered for her spirited and organic approach to all dance and theatre making. As with all forward thinking artists', Ms. Henry's distinct creative and artistic flair brings dance & theatre to a more popular culture that reflects the truisms in today's society here in the UK and beyond.
To view samples of Dollie's work please go to Dance Videos
MySpace: www.myspace.com/dolliehenry
Paul Jenkins
Music Producer . Composer . Arranger . Lecturer
Paul is a music producer, composer, arranger and has worked extensively for over 22 years in all areas of the music industry, performing arts, film & TV and the educational sector.
During the late 1980's, Paul formed his own jazz band The Paul Jenkins Quartet composing, recording and performing over a number of years at renowned London venues; Ronnie Scotts, The Jazz Cafe, The Vortex, The Royal Festival Hall and The Barbican Centre.
On the World Music Scene as a horn section leader he led bands: Abana, Zouk International and Alfia. This led to the formation of his multi-national band JEMWA [Mango Records]
Paul has worked with many artists and companies including: Mike McEvoy [Curiosity Killed the Cat], Chris Ballin [Soul to Soul], J Kay [Sony Records], Diana Fulmore [Capital Records],Island Records, BBC Radio 3 & 4, Jazz FM.
Throughout the 1990's Paul expanded his musical experience and aptitude to the commercial side of the music industry and founded his own Production Company Third Eye Music Productions Ltd in business partnership with Stepping Stone Studios in North London. As the director and producer, Paul and his team achieved a wide and varied portfolio, which has included; Dance Music Productions, Commercial POP Productions, Musical Theatre Productions and Film & Dance collaborations and worked with a great variety of commercial recording artists including: Natalie Imbruglio,, The Honeyz, Future Sound of London, Jonaye (2003 Mobo Best Newcomer), Jason Rebello, Joy Rose, Claire Martin, Juliet Roberts, Julie Dexter.
Paul's Musical Theatre compositional scores and production arrangements include: Right Here, Right Now, Inner City Jam, The Jazz Theatre production, A celebration of Duke Ellington's Life - Duke's Place and White Folks - A Musical Fable. The studio recording White Folks featuring West End artists Frances Ruffelle, Tony Barclay & Jacqui Dubois amongst others, is available at the Covent Garden theatre music store Dress Circle.
Paul is now composing the score for a new original musical theatre project The Necklace inspired by Shakespeare's play Othello and continues to create new scores for BOP theatre repertoire.
Other commissioned work for film, theatre & dance companies includes: Channel 4, Perpetual Motion Theatre Company, Malmo dans City, Sweden, Elmhurst Theatre Group, Norwegian Choreographer - Janna Kristiansen. Paul also writes for Independent film and TV companies and Library Music for use in all areas of the entertainment industry.
Paul continues to share his talents and vast experience in the music industry as a music producer, composer and arranger, working in all aspects of the pop and commercial sector. He is currently producing female vocalist SuElise Nash, formerly of the girl band Mis-Teeq, singer-songwriter Simon Baum and British jazz guitar phenomenon Joe Caleb.
Paul is a fully qualified educator and a lecturer of Music and the Performing Arts. In 1989 he played a key role on the management team and the restructuring of the Richmond Music Trust. In 1991 he continued his role to educate by implementing a comprehensive Jazz program, also in the Borough of Richmond, which included all aspects of Improvisers Art. In 1995 Paul began lecturing at Richmond College and was invited to devise and implement a BTEC National Diploma in Performing Arts, responsible for the Music Division. This has subsequently led to Paul being asked to submit a HND in Music Technology. Paul continues to teach and lecture jazz composition, music performance and music technology at Reeds School, Cobham and jazz music and music technology masterclasses in schools and colleges throughout the UK & Europe.
To listen to samples of Paul's work please go to Music Samples