STOMP is explosive, provocative, sophisticated, sexy, utterly unique and appeals to audiences of all ages. The international sensation has garnered an armful of awards and rave reviews, and has appeared on numerous national television shows. The eight-member troupe uses everything but conventional percussion instruments – matchboxes, wooden poles, brooms, garbage cans, Zippo lighters, hubcaps – to fill the stage with magnificent rhythms. As USA Today says, “STOMP finds beautiful noises in the strangest places.” STOMP. See what all the noise is about.

Cast:

CAMILLE ARMSTRONG has been performing forever. Camille studied vocal, music history and theory at F.H. LaGuardia HS of the Arts and started her professional career at 16. Since then, a mom of three, teacher and choreographer of dance and step shows. Respect to Mom and Dad's guidance and the love and support of husband, Shu.

ALAN ASUNCION has been playing drums for about 22 years and has most recently been seen in the off-Broadway show, De La Guarda (NYC, Korea, Israel). At 14 years old, he joined a wedding band that would become one of the most important music lessons of his life, allowing him to perform with many Broadway artists, notable jazz performers, as well as performances for former Mayor Giuliani and the president of the Philippines. For the past thirteen years, he has been teaching piano and drums on Long Island. Special thanks goes to Mom & Dad (your patience will be rewarded) and Tita, John Fogarty at Munro Music for ALWAYS making things work out for me, my students for your inspiration, and especially my wife for her undying support and love! All my love goes to her and our beautiful baby girl.

MARIVALDO DOS SANTOS is a percussionist, composer, dancer and capoeirista from Bahia, Brazil. He has traveled extensively throughout the United States, Europe and Asia. As a composer, he has created music for Ballet Hispanico and Ballet Brazilian among others. Together with Davi Vieira, he has released a MD MC rap album (EMI) in Brazil. He has taught percussion workshops at the University of Paris, Stanford and Colorado. He has participated in numerous jazz festivals while touring and recently recorded with Steve Coleman.

TOMAS FUJIWARA is a drummer/composer/teacher who has been playing drums since the age of seven, the year he heard his first Max Roach record. By the age of nine, with further inspiration from “Animal” of The Muppet Show, he was studying with legendary drummer/teacher Alan Dawson. Tomas has performed extensively throughout the U.S. and Europe with Anthony Braxton, Arnie Lawrence and Ravi Coltrane. Last year marked the release of his trio’s self titled debut album “Unifed Quest.” No shout outs…you know who you are and I love you and thank you with all my heart.

FRITZLYN HECTOR is a dancer, instructor and choreographer. Born in Brooklyn; raised in “Haitian Love!” as a youth, she joined the “Deeper-Lite” youth organization directed by Enoch and Ephraim. They became her “Dancer Fathers,” and exposed her to nutrition, discipline, business, drama and music. She was taught traditional and social dances by master dancers and drummers from West and Central Africa. Also joined Batoto Yetu directed by Angola’s Julio Leitao. She was one of the youngest principal dancers for “Forces of Nature Dance Theater Company.” Performed/choreographed for: Caribbean Music Awards, VH1 Hip Hop Honors Awards, worked with The Roots, Anthony Hamilton, Italy’s recording artist Gale. Has traveled worldwide, and been performing for over 20 years. I’d like to thank God, ancestors and my big sister for the inspiration. Honor Lucienne Belizaire (my mom) for her love and superb support; my mentor Ras Enoch and to Assane and Amantery Opare…I’m YOUR biggest fan!! Ashe!!

BILLY HICKLING A native of old York, England, Billy’s musical education was gleaned from the back of a transit van. From his formative experiences playing the pubs and clubs of Britain, prior to STOMP, Billy spent the 1990s busking and touring throughout Europe. This has included playing with and for drunks, and appearing at many major festivals, with a wide variety of musicians. A successful audition rescued Billy from workaday purgatory in London. He says “STOMP is like a dream come true…but it HURTS”.

BRAD HOLLAND has been involved with some form of percussion ever since middle school. Peppered with concert, symphonic, marching, bluegrass, musical theatre, and power rock duo band experience, his flavor is something you'll certainly savor. His love for the theatre sent him to a university to study it. With those powers combined, he joined Stomp in 2002. Now in NYC, from Alabama, Brad is an aspiring actor, artist, and musician. He is extremely happy to be a member of the Stomp family and thanks his parents, brothers and friends for all their love and support.

JOELL JACKSON has had a dream to join STOMP since he was in middle school. He has been acting, dancing, singing, drumming, and entertaining forever. He thanks GOD, his family, Alan Zwirn, Lizzy Boo, and friends for helping him succeed in everything. He’s ready for the world and won’t hold back. ‘05 will NEVER die!

LANCE LILES was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. He is a dancer, choreographer, percussionist and composer. He has traveled and performed worldwide. Love and thanks goes out to God, his mom, family, friends, The Young Hoofers, Illstyle & Peace Productions and everyone that influenced him along the way.

JASON MILLS was born and raised in Loudoun County, Virginia, and moved to New York City in 1994 at the age of 22 to pursue a career in the arts. Initially working for clothing designer Nicole Miller as a graphic artist, he was hired in 1995 to perform in the original touring company of STOMP. Over the next four years work with the show included a 1996 Oscars performance, an appearance in the STOMP IMAX film Pulse: A STOMP Odyssey, and global touring. After a six-year hiatus from the show he is once again a part of the New York cast. Jason is a multi-instrumentalist, a producer, a composer, and a bandleader. He performs regularly with his six-piece soul band BEETROOT, whose debut album 13 was nominated for Album of the Year by the Independent Music Awards in 2005.

YAKO MIYAMOTO was born and raised in Japan. She resigned from Keio University, where she was studying chemistry, and came to New York in 1999. She established COBU (www.cobu.us) which is a rhythm performance group uniting tap dance with the Japanese TAIKO Drum. She is proud to be the first Japanese woman in STOMP and thanks her family and friends for all their love and support.

RAYMOND POITIER has been involved in music since he was a child. During junior and senior high school he was a percussionist with various marching bands and as a student at Florida A&M, he played with the Marching 100 Band. Raymond has worked extensively as an actor in Miami. He has also been trained in, and taught, martial arts, as well as danced in and choreographed many music videos. Raymond would like to thank all who have supported his growth and development as a performer, especially his mother and father for guiding him in the right direction.

MATTHEW POLLOCK Originally from the San Francisco Bay area, Matthew moved to NYC after receiving a degree in theatre from Emerson College in Boston. As an actor, singer, dancer and choreographer, he has toured nationally and internationally with several theatre and musical theatre pieces. Matthew considers STOMP a blessing and is thrilled to be able to share the stage with such talented freaks.

JOSEPH RUSSOMANO is a self-taught drummer and pianist and has never stopped practicing in hopes to one day write this bio. Since seeing the HBO special in 1998, it has been his ultimate dream to perform in STOMP. Thank you to his family, especially Mom, Mark and Michael for their unconditional support. Also thanks to his great friends Doofy, Tiny, Jew Cuban, Big Boi, Hamburger and the God of Karzistan. Every show is for Pop-Pop…He knows why.

ELIZABETH VIDOS graduated from Northeast Louisiana University and put her counseling ambitions aside to Stomp for a living. She has been a percussionist since age 11 and feels honored to be in a show that has moved her time and time again. Thanks to her believing mom, supportive friends and faithful God.

DAN WEINER After attending ECU for percussion and music education, Dan came to NYC to join the cast of STOMP and then went on to tour nationally, later becoming rehearsal director. Since then he has shared the stage with such artists as Bobby McFerrin and The Wu Tang Clan (among others); performed at venues including Radio City Music Hall, Town Hall and MSG; appeared on television (“Good Morning America,” etc.); and currently enjoys the privilege of continuing collaborations with various musical artists. Additionally, he has played on several studio recordings (most recently with John Patitucci for recording artist Nicole C. Mullen!).

FIONA WILKES (US Tour Director) trained as a dancer at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance, but from the age of 9 played steel drums. She had a lead role as actress/dancer in the short film Fireflies and Stars. She has been involved in many Yes/No projects from performing to singing but after a year as rehearsal director with one of the North American STOMP companies, she is glad to be back with the original cast. The original Bin Bitch.

RICK WILLETT From Denver, CO. First Stevie Wonder record, 1974. Rick thanks his Mom, Dad and main man Matt for the love and inspiration. Thanks to Luke and Steve for the opportunity and Fraser for the whipping. STOMP has left Rick with only one unfulfilled goal, driving CART. Hello, Chip Ganassi. Because of STOMP, Rick is giddy for most of each day and wishes the same happiness to everyone in the audience.

Creative Team:

LUKE CRESSWELL (Director) is a selftaught percussionist from Brighton. His session work as a drummer and rhythm programmer includes Beats International, Bette Midler, Elvis Costello and Bryan Ferry. After working for several years as a street musician and performer, he first created Stomp in 1991. He has directed, with Steve McNicholas, several award-winning commercials and short films. He was nominated for an Oscar for the film Brooms and an Emmy for Stomp Out Loud, and co-directed the award-winning IMAX movie Pulse. He has also received a special achievement award from the Chicago Human Rhythm Project. More recently, Luke co-created the Lost and Found Orchestra and the Vegas production of Stomp Out Loud and also co-directed the IMAX 3D movie Wild Ocean. Luke occasionally performs with Stomp and is currently conductor of the LFO.

STEVE MCNICHOLAS (Director), from Yorkshire, has worked as an actor/singer/ musician/writer with various theatrical and musical groups, starting out with the Bradford Theatre Group in 1973. Through the ’80s he worked with Cliff Hanger, Covent Garden Community Theatre and Pookiesnackenburger. Despite also being an original member of the accapella group the Flying Pickets and a final appearance in Mr. Bean, Steve no longer performs. He shares directorial credits with Luke Cresswell on Stomp-based films and commercials and their new show the Lost and Found Orchestra. With Luke, he composed the soundtrack to the Showtime movie “Riot”; shares the Oscar and Emmy nominations for his work on Brooms and Stomp Out Loud; and co-directed the award-winning IMAX movie Pulse. Steve also co-created the LFO and co-directed the IMAX 3D movie Wild Ocean, released worldwide in 2008.

Lighting By Steve McNicholas and Neil Tiplady

Director: Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas

Playwright: Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas