A young Dominican based in Barbados has hit the stage of the creative and performing arts in a leading role of the widely acclaimed musical, ’13.’
Michael Cadette’s performance was so impressive that at a gala held on the weekend, he was awarded the most improved cast member and has won a one-year scholarship to Louise Woodvine Dance Academy in Barbados.
’13’ premiered on April 17, 2014 at the Frank Collymore Hall and tells the story of a 13-year-old boy by the name of Evan, played by Chad Montplasir, who had to leave his life and friends in New York City and move thousands of miles to Indiana because of his parent’s divorce.
Evan met new friends but he could not escape the cliques at the local high school and he was forced by Brett, played by Cadette, to choose between his true friends or fitting with the most popular students.
The musical, which featured the most talented young people in Barbados, was widely praised with the Barbados Today newspaper describing it as “action-filled, drama-filled, energy-filled, purely hilarious, and the packed hall loved it.”
It was presented by performing arts company, ‘Operation Triple Threat (OTT),’ which is a developmental performing arts programme for students between the ages of 7 and 21.
OTT is a division of “Live-Breathe Music!” (L.B.M.), a company dedicated to offering superior training to musicians and aspiring musicians.
In July Cadette will be attending the Broadway Student Summit at D.A.N.Y. Studios in New York City. The studio is operated by the Joyce Theatre Foundation and is home to Broadway rehearsals and auditions.
The summit is designed to connect theatre students with the Broadway community, and with each other, through a series of workshops, master classes, a mock audition for a Broadway casting director, and an experience at one or more hit Broadway musicals.
The program features classes, tickets to Broadway musical, a post show discussion with cast members, and a private feedback session with a Broadway casting director.
Every student will work directly with Broadway’s best and brightest performers, choreographers and musical directors.
All participants in the Broadway Student Summit will see a hit Broadway musical, meet with the cast, and work with members of the cast and creative team!
Two Barbadian Students from OTT, who attended last year’s summit, are now accepted to top Performing arts Schools in New York.
Leading up to the premier of the Musical “13” last week, Cadette was featured with the lead roles of the cast in a number of radio and television interviews on CBC TV.
Michael Cadette is the son of former Director of Telecoms in Dominica, Sylvester Cadette and Lilia Cadette of Orange/Digicel and Marpin2K4.
well done…keep going homie
You are all impressive. It takes a lot of practice and acting to receive this honor. Good luck to you. I hope the others will also be as fortunate.
Make the most of it. Do not allow celebrity status and influence by some of those who have already reached higher heights to turn you into a different person than you are. It could very well happen on Broadway and in Hollywood. I wish you God’s blessings and success in your studies and career.
O boy i watch you grow up shy in purple dragon and look at u become a man and continuing to do so well .kepp it up and stay and make ur mom and dad proud.
Congrats Michael and the rest of the Cadette family.
I’m very proud of Michael, my daughter, Mari-Jo and the entire cast of 13, as well as the director, Janelle Headley. These children worked extremely hard – 12 and 13 hour days at rehearsals during the last two weeks or so leading up to the premiere, 13 hard weeks of work. Michael did exceptionally well, having had to take over the role just a few weeks before the show. Winning the Most Improved award was just reward for his effort and the fact that it was the cast that voted him as most improved must mean a lot.
Mari-Jo has skills that I never had – she can actually sing and acting comes naturally to her. But, her mother’s talent notwithstanding, dancing was foreign to her until she joined OTT. Her progress in this regard is astounding, her performance, riveting. I’m grateful to Charlene Morris for introducing Mari-Jo to OTT.
I also admired the comradery among the cast. They were like family and supported each other in every possible way. It was touching to see them cry after the final show over those who are leaving.
I know you’ll forgive me for again stressing how proud I am of my daughter, Michael, Chad, Morris, Tarla, Rebecca, and the full cast. Their future in the arts is bright should they wish to pursue it
Don’t know you personally but congrats!! We make us proud to be Dominicans.
Next stop is Hollywood.
I can’t believe Michael is so grown!!Amazing! Saw him a little kid not too ling ago. Proud of him and I know his parents must be really proud. Keep it up young man
Congrats to Michael and Mari, two Dominican youths who are making it to the top. Go for it guys you an make it once you strife. We are proud of you all.
Congratulations
Duuuuuuuude !!!! That’s it lad keep up the work!!!
you made us proud micheal keep it up
hey for our Dominican youths where ever they are….you make us proud…..and there was one more Dominican/Bajan in that production and although not a lead role was awesome….congrats young Dominicans
Congrats Michael. I was fortunate to get to see the musical on Saturday night and Michael played his role brilliantly. He wasn’t the lead, that was the young boy who played Evan, but Micheal handled the role of Brett with aplomb. The entire cast was outstanding and I wish they could stage it here so Dominica can get to see how good these young people are.
When I read in the program that Michael was from Dominica I felt even prouder. He has a future in the arts if he wants to.
There was a second person of Dominican heritage as part of the cast as well. Her name is Mari-Jo Johnrose, the daughter of Johnson Johnrose and Veda Challenger. She played multiple roles and she too was brilliant. When I see things like this it really makes me proud to be a Dominican.
Congratulations again to Michael and Mari-Jo and to the entire cast.
The ARTS happen to be the most powerful vehicle to transmit information. In fact, all the means of communication at present involve some form of performing, visual, abstract, creative or fine art. I am glad for this youngster. Long live the performing arts…
He is coming to boot your plays out! Look out! Congrats Michael!
What are you talking about? Boot my plays out? I am totally open to change and is time for the youths to step up. If you knew anything about me you wold at least known how passionate I am about youth achievement.
I don’t compete; I complement and expect to be complemented. The idea of booting or booted out, therefore, does not belong here.
One love papa.
Alex
I always teach my children to be humble. Alex Bruno has already made a name for himself. If anything, Michael would be learning from Alex Bruno.
GOD RESISTETH THE PROUD BUT GIVETH GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.
SO HE WILL LEARN FROM THOSE WHO HAVE ALREADY ACCOMPLISHED.
@alex i hope you remain faith…… in fact let me not say anything hahahha
Dominicans are some of the most educated and talented people in the world yes I said in the world we just let naysayers have the best of us and we tend to wait for people to tell us how great we are but more and more I see we breaking away from that mentality but great job young man make yourself and your family proud first then every thing else comes after.
Continue to shine Michael, you are doing your best and it shows.
“The journey of a thousand miles begin with one step”… Keep it up!