Paul Bend
Paul was born at King’s Mill Hospital, Sutton-in-Ashfield, England on the 14th of November 1977. He grew up in a small village called Annesley Woodhouse with his parents Carol and Richard, and his older sister Sally. He attended Kirkby Woodhouse Primary School until he was 11 when he began to attend Ashfield Comprehensive School. He studied there until he was sixteen when he took his GCSE’s and left school to become a trainee printer. After six months and several potential skin diseases, and disagreements with the boss he quit. He then experienced his one and only month of unemployment until he was accepted as a Youth Trainee at King’s Mill Hospital. Here, he work in various different departments at various different roles for almost seven years. Including the Accident & Emergency and Radiology departments. He played drums in several local bands, most notably Fubar. A punk four piece. In the summer of 2001 he auditioned for Stomp and is still amazed today that he was chosen for the show. Since then he has Stomped around the world and considers himself to be a very lucky man.
Nathaniel Conroy (BPA)
Nathaniel Conroy comes from Gibraltar where he started his career as a breakdancer and martial artist. At the age of 15 he obtained his black belt (JNR). At 19 he arrived in England where he commenced his dance training at the Northern School Of Contemporary Dance. After his four years training, Nathan has worked for numerous contemporary dance companies, including Phoenix, (A.B.C.D), Urban Classicism and Motion House amongst others. Commercially Nathan has worked for Wycliffe Jean, Mel B and Enigma, as well as choreographed for short films, dance companies and for DKNY. Nathan first joined Stomp in 2000 and he has recently joined the international european tour.
Laetitia Lawrence
Laetitia Lawrence joined STOMP in 2006. She has loved rhythm since her first memory of dancing at her mothers feet, so feels perfectly at home in STOMP. Laetitia taught Stomp workshops around the UK and appeared in the Lost and Found Orchestra, the companies latest production, which played The Brighton Dome and The Sydney Opera House. Thanks to all that helped me be here and much love.
Keith "Wild Child" Middleton
Brooklyn-born to the bone, Keith has been with STOMP since 1995. Keith stars as the "Narrator" in the award-winning IMAX film, “PULSE: A Stomp Odyssey”, for which he received critical acclaim: “Denzel, watch out. If Hollywood producers had any sense, they would snatch up this new leading man pronto.” (Associated Press). Additional film credits include “STOMP OUT LOUD” on HBO, “Just My Luck” and “Threat”. He has guest-starred on such TV series as “Third Watch”, “Traveler”, “Mad About You” and “Sesame Street”, performed on the 68th Academy Awards show, and has appeared on TV commercials, including a McDonald’s spot starring Destiny’s Child. Keith was named by Encore Magazine one of “Off-Broadway’s Sexiest Stars”. Keith is also a prolific music composer & producer, writing music for the original play Joe Fearless, by Liz Tucillo (“Sex & The City”); Give and Go, by Brandt Johnson; Pride and Soul, co-written with wife and fellow Stomper, Stephanie Marshall Middleton; Books Cook, by acclaimed playwright, composer and director, Liz Swados; and for Defined Mind, a vocabulary accelerator (definedmind.com). Keith also produces and performs with his rap group, HYDRA (sonicbids.com/hydra3). Keith is currently busy in the studio, composing and producing his first solo album (sonicbids.com/keithmiddleton). Given his family’s background, Keith’s musical talent is no surprise: his great-uncle is Clarence Collins, original and current member and founder of legendary group Little Anthony & The Imperials. His uncle, Pepe Willie, is a musical producer whose current album, Minneapolis Genius, features Prince. And the talent continues - Keith is the proud father of three sons, Qaasim, Khalil and Makai; his oldest, Qaasim, currently stars on the Nickelodeon TV series, “The Naked Brothers Band”; Khalil, has also appeared on the series; Makai arrived just in time for Christmas.
Aideen Gallagher
Aideen is very proud to be the only Stomper from Ireland. Born in Drogheda, Co. Louth Aideen has a passion for drumming and dancing and being part of the Stomp tour is a dream come true. With a particular obsession for Afro-Brazilian percussion, Aideen has been a performer and teacher with many samba and drumming groups in Ireland and England over the last ten years. She is proud to have performed at such events as the St. Patrick's Festival in Dublin, Notting Hill Carnival in London, Brighton Festival and Glastonbury Festival, England. Aideen started with Stomp as a workshop leader last year and was delighted to also be part of the new show, The Lost and Found Orchestra in Brighton.
She hopes to continue to make her parents proud and that everyone enjoys the show as much as she loves doing it.
John Sawicki
John is a native New Yorker who works as a studio drummer and a performer. Attending College for music education, teaching and my passion for music led me to my new Stomping grounds. My support from my family is greatly appreciated. I especially thank my father for passing down the talent and for being my mentor and friend. music to me is my heart beat without it I woudn't be able to function.
RJ Samson
RJ Samson is an aspiring screenwriter. Raised in Clear Lake City and Bedford, Texas. Played on the always slammin’ L.D. Bell Drumline. Also played on the University of North Texas Drumline for a minute and in a band with the Toadies’ Todd Lewis for only slightly longer. Graduated from North Texas and while pursuing dual passions for waiting tables and for dressing up like an Indian at Disney World Florida, realised my destiny with STOMP. A dream come true. A big break. A return on my parents investment. Lots of love to them and the reat of my family. Life just keeps getting better.
Troy Sexton
A drummer, break dancer, and MC from Toronto Canada. Starting playing drums at age 10 and break danceing at 14. Schooled by funk and hip hop, Troy found the two loves of his life. Troy has played drum kit in many bands such as toronto based punk band "Rock Radio" and Rock and roll group "Three Star Seed". Also played Key Boards and MC for pop/hip hop/funk band "BlueVan". Troy Can be seen up rockin popin and lockin b-boyin beat boxin and spinning anywhere there is a smooth surfice. Stomp has everything Troy loves all wraped in to one and hopes to inspire people as much as he has been inspred from this show. A special thanks to mom, Bro, Grampz, Rory and all my firneds. Keep On Rockin and Rollin.
Gemma Shields
Gemma started dancing from an early age in her home town of West Yorkshire. From hobby to career, Gemma went on to train at Doreen Bird Performing Arts College and graduated with a 1st class BA (Hons) degree in Dance and Theatre Performance. Shortly after graduating, she landed her first professional role as a dancer on board various cruise ships, for which she was selected as Dance Captain. Having now hung up the Can-Can boots and fishnet tights, Gemma is thrilled to be the proud owner of baggy dungarees and a pair of old STOMP boots!
She would like to thank her family for their love and support and reassure them that the endless hours of 'prancing' in the kitchen were worth it in the end!
Sarah Lasaki
Born in Hamburg, Sarah Lasaki now aged 25, daughter of the flamenco teacher Dominique Lasaki and Nigerian drummer Abayomi Lasaki was classically trained from the age of 5 in the ballet centre of John Neumeier and had her first experiences of the stage in "Swan Lake" in Germany (Hamburg) State Opera. As a result she intensely devoted herself to figure iceskating, until dancing recaptured her. Her dance education in Modern, Jazz, Afro and Hip Hop and Flamenco led her to other things in Hamburg, Paris, London, New York, L.A. and Nigeria further. At 15 she played the lead role beside Werner Rehm in the piece "Suburbio-Das Niemandsland" in the State Theatre Hamburg under the direction of Johann Kresnik. Sarah Lasaki performed as a dancer in music videos, among other things, from Audrey Hannah, Shaggy, Nena and Seeed and is a member of the Flamenco Dance Theatre Company, Andanza, directed by Teresa Martin. In 2003 she was in the European premiere production of Elton John and Tim Rice's Musical AIDA at the Collosseum Theatre in Germany (Essen) as ensemble and cover of the role Nehebka. Two years later she was in the European premiere "Dirty Dancing-Live on Stage" in Germany (Hamburg). Finally she found her real passion.....STOMP. After auditions, she got the privilege to be a part of the European Tour Cast 2008. It was only last year that she joined STOMP. Sarah is thankful for everyday she can perform and express herself on stage, because that's what STOMP is about: Rhythm, Energy and Passion; basically LIFE!
Ian Vincent
Ian was born 4th April 1988 and grew up in Te Awamutu, New Zealand. He started dance at an early age and self taught himself drums with major influence from his mother. In later years Ian studied commercial dance at 'Wellington Performing Arts Centre' for two years then joined Stomp in late 2007. He would like to thank God and all the people who have shaped and moulded him in his life and is proud and honoured to be a member of Stomp. Kia Kaha.
Paul Russell
Paul first saw Stomp when it toured his home country New Zealand a decade ago. A drummer since the age of eight, Paul has recorded and performed with a number of artists and bands, including Supergroove, Che Fu, Brooke Fraser, Anika Moa, and his own band 'Eight'. In search of new challenges and overseas adventures Paul relocated to London in 2006 with his wife and daughter and has been a member of the London West End cast since October 2007.