resume
Shartoya
Jn. Baptiste
Scenic Designer, Choreographer and Dancer
biography
Born and raised on the picturesque island of Saint Lucia, Shartoya’s spark for the performing arts ignited from the age of seven. She has represented Saint Lucia at numerous regional and international Cultural Dance Exchanges and has performed and choreographed for national events, the Caribbean Cricket Premier League cheerleaders, and multiple Soca artists. Her dance styles extend from contemporary, and modern to African, Caribbean dance, and Traditional Saint Lucian folk.
When Shartoya is not performing, she can be found in the theatre or the design studio. Shartoya’s interest in design stemmed from her mother’s career in interior and commercial design, and it peaked during her undergrad education at Towson University. Currently, Shartoya is an MFA Scenic Design candidate at the University of Maryland. Local credits include P.Nokio (Imagination Stage, Helen Hayes Nominated), Out of the Vineyard (Joe’s Movement Emporium, World Premiere), and Is God Is (Constellation Theatre*). University credits include By The Way, Meet Vera Stark, The Book Club Play, Fall Dance Thesis, Spring Dance Thesis (University of Maryland), and Sense and Sensibility (American University). Assistant Scenic Design credits include Beastgirl (The Kennedy Center) and Choreographer credits include Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds (The Hangar Theatre).
In her spare time, she enjoys philanthropy, teaching, and creating dance concept videos that merge the worlds of choreography and scenic design. Shartoya’s classes and concepts can be found on her YouTube channel – shr758. One of her biggest accomplishments to date is “The SHR Experience” – a one-day dance workshop where international choreographers visit Saint Lucia to teach various dance styles, and in turn, learn a Saint Lucian cultural dance. The proceeds from The SHR Experience are injected into the Saint Lucian dance community by purchasing equipment for dancers and dance studios that lack the necessities for training.
resume
Education
University of Maryland '24
Scenic Design (MFA)
Towson University '20
Theatre Design and Production (BSc)
Summa Cum Laude
Sir Arthur Lewis Community College '14
Hospitality Studies (AS)
skills
SCENIC DESIGN
Work Experience | ||||
Is God Is* Spring Dance Thesis* Out of the Vineyard Mi Vida, In Rhythm El Bodegón De La Bruja The Book Club Play Sense and Sensibility By The Way, Meet Vera Stark Beastgirl P.Nokio (Helen Hayes Nominated) Antigone Sweat Hamlet | Scenic Design Scenic Design Scenic Design Scenic Design Scenic Design Scenic Design Scenic Design Scenic Design SD Assistant Scenic Design Scenic Design Scenic Design Scenic Design | Constellation Theatre University of Maryland Joe’s Movement Emporium University of Maryland University of Maryland University of Maryland American University University of Maryland The Kennedy Center Imagination Stage Towson University Towson University Towson University | KenYatta Rogers Mary Kate Ford & Rebecca Steinberg Tony Thomas Gerson Lanza Javi Padilla Fatima Quander Karl Kippola Scot Reese & Alvin Mayes Misha Kachman Tony Thomas Peter Wray Peter Wray David White | 2024 2024 2023 2023 2023 2023 2022 2022 2022 2022 2020 2020 2019 |
choreography and dance
Choreography
She Djab – The National Cultural Centre, Saint Lucia – Kentillia Louis – 2023
Three Little Birds – Hangar Theatre – Logan Schulman – 2022
Ezra D’Fun Machine – Soca Monarch – 2019, 2022, 2023
Guiness Amplify show in 2019; choreography for Nessa Preppy and Cooyah
U4ria Soca Concert 2016-2023; choreography for multiple artist such as Kes, Lyrikal, Rupee and Teddyson John
Music Videos
Saveion feat. Serani, Nicky B & Qraig -“Perfect Body”
Arthur Allain – “Ride Jocky” (Official Video)
Arthur EvaLucian – “Who I am” #West Indian
Dance Productions
“La Luna” by The Silver Shadow Performing Arts Academy in 2017
“Poetry in Motion” by The Silver Shadow Performing Arts Academy in 2015
“Dance Mirage” by The Silver Shadow Performing Arts Academy in 2012
“Break Out” by The Silver Shadow Performing Arts Academy in 2009
Pageantry
Talent Coordinator for Miss Queen of Gros Islet contestant in 2019
National Carnival Queen Pageant contestant; 1st Runner Up in 2016
Miss Independence Pageant contestant; 2nd Runner Up in 2015
Youth Development
The SHR Experience Cultural Dance Exchange Workshop 2019-2020
SHR School Tour in 2019
Cheerleading Judge at Sir Arthur Lewis Community College in 2017
“Dance On D’ Bloc” Community Dance Activity in 2017
Dance Judge at Youth Fest in 2014
Travel
Prague Quadrennial 2023
RAW Artists – Baltimore Showcase 2017
CARIFESTA Haiti XII 2015
Martinique Carnival 2014
Rhythm and Motion Dance Festival in Trinidad and Tobago 2013
Cultural Dance Exposé in Barbados 2013
Guadeloupe Carnival 2013
Other Performances
Caribbean Cricket Premier League Cheerleader 2014-2016
St. Lucia National Youth Awards 2013 and 2020
St. Lucia Independence Festival
St. Lucia National Arts Festival
St. Lucia Festival of Lights
Weekly performances at multiple Saint Lucian hotels