Disney scouts Jamaican talent for ‘Lion King’ production

Disney’s The Lion King on Broadway is a world-renowned production. Over the past few years, the pool of Jamaicans selected to be part of the elite cast has been small. The few who have been afforded the rare opportunity to be part of the cast in recent times described their inclusion in the production as life-changing. last week, Disney scouts were again in the island, seeking fresh talent for the next production. Their presence brought out scores of young professionals hoping to steal a piece of history by landing a role in the coveted production.

Dancers Antonio Campbell, Faybian Grizzle, and Tori-Ann Ivey are a few of the hopefuls. The trio, who are all members of the ASHE Performing Arts Group, could not reveal how far they got in their trials, but each spoke about how a spot in the internationally acclaimed Broadway show would change their lives. Campbell told The Sunday Gleaner that he has had dreams of being in a Broadway production ‘for forever’, and said that The Lion King, in particular, holds a special place in his heart. “I’ve always seen myself on Broadway. The Lion King was the first Broadway musical I ever fell in love with. Broadway music is life for me. I feel like everyday should be a Broadway musical,” he said pointing out that landing a role would be a dream come true. “Oh God! it would be a big deal! The Lion King is a big stepping stone that can give you great credibility for other Broadway productions. I’m excited knowing what could happen. Some of us that made it to a certain level have been joking about what it would be like. We laugh and say ‘send the tickets come’, and we just a put it out into the universe.”

Grizzle shared similar sentiments. The 23-year-old, who was recently awarded a scholarship to do a summer programme with the Complexions Contemporary Ballet company in New York, says that the stars are aligning for him as The Lion King auditions come at a time when he is in peak form. “It is interesting all this is happening right now because I’m kind of in a good groove now as it relates to my dancing career. I was awarded a scholarship to dance with Complexion, and that is already a big opportunity to showcase my talent and get additional training, and now to be auditioning and reach this far, that’s another level of validation for me,” he said. “To be chosen for such an international production, it is definitely a big thing for me. I want to dance internationally. I want to tour Europe, Asia, all of the continents, and if that starts with The Lion King, that’s a big start. I’m excited and I’m ready and waiting for an opportunity to open up.”

Tori-Ann Ivey participated in both the singing and dancing auditions. She was, however, more focused on the singing and is hoping that her auditions will help her seal a place in history. Ivey revealed that she auditioned for the role of Nala, the young lioness. “If I get the email right now that I am cast as Nala, it would mean that I would be the first Nala cast out of Jamaica, and that would mean so much for me and my family. I would be an inspiration for so many people, and that would be a big thing, a big deal. I am really anticipating a call, an email, something,” she said, laughing. “I have two things on my bucket list that I really want to do before I die, and they are to star on Broadway – whether Lion King or any other production – and have a really successful solo career. And if I got this opportunity to be on Disney, it would mean so much. I grew up watching the cartoon, so being a part of it would mean everything to me.”

If Campbell, Ivey, or Grizzle gets the opportunity to star in a role in The Lion King on Broadway, they would join Tovah Marie Bembridge, Benton Morris, Candice Morris, Jermaine Rowe, and Kerry Ann Henry on the list of Jamaicans who have made it into the Disney production.