SPLA : Portal to cultural diversity
Cultures-Jamaica

Owen Ellis (Blakka)

  • Owen  Ellis (Blakka)
© Owen Ellis
Actor, Comedian
Principal country concerned : Column : Theater
Jamaica

Owen Blakka Ellis is a teacher, writer, performing artist, and community development worker. He taught English, Literature and Drama, in the Jamaican high school system in the 1980s and lectured at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts for 11 years before migrating to Canada in 2004.

Widely acknowledged as a leading Caribbean comedic entertainer, he has performed at the world famous Apollo Theatre In New York, The Hackney Empire in London, and at major comedy festivals in Toronto, Montreal, New York, Boston, Los Angeles, Florida, Virginia, Washington DC and all over the Caribbean either as a solo act or as part of the popular "Bello & Blakka" comedy duo.

His film and TV credits include appearances in ABC television series "Going to Extremes", Keystone Family Pictures' "Spymate", Warner Brothers' "Club Paradise" and the Jamaican blockbuster "Dancehall Queen". He has also performed in dozens of theatrical productions, music videos, and television/radio commercials.

Blakka co-wrote the national pantomime "Schoolers" which won the Jamaica Music Industry (JAMI) award for Best Musical in 1989, and co produced and starred in one of Jamaica's most successful comedy productions "Laugh Jamaica" which won the Actor Boy Award for Best Revue 1998. He also produced, directed and performed in the innovative theatrical production "Tings a Gwaan!" which won the 2004 award for Best Comedy and was among the nominees for Best New Jamaican play.

He has conducted workshops and training seminars for youths and communities, development workers, cultural agents, Peace Corps volunteers, diplomats, teachers and performers internationally, including working in England, Germany, Canada, South Africa and Zimbabwe. He is one of the founders of the inner city Arts-in-Education project Area Youth Foundation. Blakka has published a book of poems 'GATEMAN' (2005) and writes a weekly column, 'Blakka's Box' which appears in the Jamaican STAR every Wednesday.

Blakka is the holder of a Master in Environmental Studies (MES) degree from York University.

Partners

  • Media, Sports and Entertainment Group (MSE)

With the support of