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Shartoya
Jn. Baptiste
Choreographer, Dancer and Scenic Designer
biography
Born and raised in 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 Premier League Saint Lucian cheerleaders and multiple Soca artistes. Her dance styles extend from contemporary, 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 a first year MFA Scenic Design candidate at the University of Maryland. Local credits include Sweat (Towson University), Antigone(Towson University), P.Nokio (Imagination Stage) and By The Way, Meet Vera Stark (University of Maryland), Assistant Scenic Design credits include Beastgirl (The Kennedy Center) and Choreographer, Assistant Director for Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds (The Hangar Theatre).
In her spare time, she enjoys philanthropy, teaching dance classes 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 basic necessities for training.
resume
Education
University of Maryland '24
Scenic Design (MFA)
Towson University '20
Theatre Design and Production (BSc)
Latin Honors at the distinction level of Summa Cum Laude
Sir Arthur Lewis Community College '14
Hospitality Studies (AS)
skills
SCENIC DESIGN
Work Experience | ||||
Mi Vida, In Rhythm* El Bodegón De La Bruja* The Book Club Play Sense and Sensibility Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds | Scenic Design Scenic Design Scenic Design Scenic Design Choreographer and Assistant Director | University of Maryland University of Maryland University of Maryland American University The Hangar Theatre | Gerson Lanza Javi Padilla Fatima Quander Karl Kippola Logan Schulman | 2023 2023 2023 2022 2022 |
By The Way, Meet Vera Stark | Scenic Design | University of Maryland | Scot Reese and Alvin Mayes | 2022 |
Beastgirl | Scenic Design Assistant | The Kennedy Center | Misha Kachman | 2022 |
P.Nokio | Scenic Design | Imagination Stage | Tony Thomas | 2022 |
Antigone | Scenic Design | Towson University | Peter Wray | 2020 |
Sweat | Scenic Design | Towson University | Peter Wray | 2020 |
Hamlet | Scenic Crew | Towson University | David White | 2019 |
Fuente Ovejuna | Lighting Crew | Towson University | Brandon Ingle | 2018 |
A Lie of the Mind | Lighting Crew | Towson University | Brandon Ingle | 2018 |
choreography and dance
Personal Concept Videos
Caribbean Dance Classes on Youtube (@SHR758)
Dance Covers on Youtube (@SHR758)
Youth Development
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
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
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
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
Choreography
Three Little Birds – Hangar Theatre -2022
Guiness Amplify show in 2019; choreography for Nessa Preppy and Cooyah
Ezra D’Fun Machine – Soca Monarch – “Touchdown” – 2019
Back Up Dance and Choreography
U4ria Soca Concert 2016-2019; choreography for multiple artist such as Kes, Lyrikal and Teddyson John
Ricky T – Soca Monarch – “Shaleh Sho”
Ricky T ft. Pringles – Soca Monarch – “Hold on Something”
Music Videos
Saveion feat. Serani, Nicky B & Qraig -“Perfect Body”
Arthur Allain – “Ride Jocky” (Official Video)
Arthur EvaLucian – “Who I am” #West Indian
Commercials
Massy Stores Christmas Promotion – Traditional St. Lucian Masquerade Dancer
Company Work
The SHR Experience Cultural Dance Exchange Workshop 2019-2020
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
Certifications
Red Cross Training
FiTOUR Fitness