The Team

Amanda Gauvin - Co-Writer

I grew up in a household filled with music, television, and films. My father has been playing the drums in wedding bands since long before I was born, much of my childhood was spent being a “baby roadie” supporting my dad alongside my mom, dancing and cheering him on. The first film I saw in theatres was Aladdin, which came out in 1992, I was born in 1991, while, I don’t remember it, I’m told I sat through the film silently, entranced by what was on screen. As far back as I can remember, I’ve always had a favourite show, first it was Barney, followed by Power Rangers, then Sailor Moon and then Buffy the Vampire Slayer, all before the age of 5. Needless to say, I always knew I’d work within the entertainment world, it was just a matter of what facet. Initially, I thought I’d be an actress after falling in love with performing on the stage however, life had other plans. I discovered an innate skill to lead, manage and create, thus I set my sights on Film School, where I honed these skills. After ten years within the business side of the film industry, I’ve returned to my first love, quitting my job and jumping headfirst into the world as a freelance creative, focusing on projects that speak to my soul, that give me purpose.

I strive to create content that has a positive influence on its audience, that says something profound, that leaves the viewer better for having witnessed it. I feel that is HERSTORY, a project so dear to my heart as it is directly influenced by my ancestry, being a 8 times great granddaughter of one of our characters (Anne Magnon). Through discovering my family’s history, I uncovered a part of Canada’s history that very little are taught, one that speaks to the ferocity and resilience of women. I’m surrounded by strong, influential women and this is my love letter to them along with all those that came before or will come after. I hope through learning about the women of our past, young women for generations to come will learn that strength comes from within, there are many ways to be a strong woman so long as she chooses her path for herself, just as I have with my career.

John Thomas - Co-Writer and Lyricist

My whole life is surrounded and influenced by the Arts. Everything I do, I do as an artist; I’m a writer, director, producer and arts educator. My life would not be complete without the arts, be that experiencing it or creating it. My soul as a creative artist has been influenced by a multitude of experiences. As a Theatre Director I have well over 100 credits from Professional Theatre, Community Theatre and Student productions. Along with an illustrious career within theatre, I’ve also worked in Film and Television as well as taught theatre. Beginning with classes at the YMCA, then to creating the Brampton Theatre School and now, a High School Drama teacher, immersing myself and creating art is not enough for my soul, I must help the next generation of creators and artists to recognize the creativity within them, to share that beautiful art which lies within them.

I am an innately curious individual about history, culture, geography and lifestyles. This curiosity has taken me around the globe to almost 50 countries and almost 100 cities. Each part of the globe lends itself to a better understanding of the human experience, which, in turn, helps me to bring that to life on stage, which I believe is my calling. Whether through directing or writing I indulge in the humanity of others and immerse into a world of my own creation, somewhat like our own but perhaps better, more understanding, more open minded, selfless and full of love for our fellow man.

I arrive in this moment as an artist informed by a life well lived. Although I have written for many years and in many different genres, I find myself awakening with a voice and the confidence to use that voice unlike ever before. I have reached a point in my life and found a project which allows me to combine my vast skills, education and life experience into one culminating work, one that I hope will inspire, educate, offer reconciliation, reframe the way in which we view history and celebrate women (who too often go overlooked for their contributions to society) for generations to come. This project is timely and necessary, not just for society but for my life as an artist.

Darryn deSouza - Composer

Growing up my family home was constantly filled with music. My siblings and I were raised in a faith-centered home, with many of us involved in music ministries at Roman Catholic churches all around Ontario, Canada. A life in music seemed destined for me from a young age, and my parents were incredibly supportive. My mother, a trained pianist and my dad, the life of every party, leading singalongs from the piano, music meant family time and connection. Understanding how art can help shape a young person, they encouraged all of us to express ourselves through music, in whatever instrument that spoke to us.

I began my professional musical training at St. Michael’s Choir School in Toronto, a one-of-a-kind music school with deep training in choral and solo singing, as well as instrumental music. Following this, I embarked on a teaching career, building a private practice teaching singing and piano for many years while providing music ministry for churches as a Musical Director, Organist and Cantor. Throughout this time, I was also spreading my wings as a musician/leader in the world of Musical Theatre, participating in several local community shows, and moving on to play in and lead professional orchestras for theatre productions, both community and professional.

In 2009, I took on the role as the Music Director for the Juno award winning Canadian artists The Tenors. I performed as their live pianist, collaborator, arranger, and full time touring Music Director/Band Leader. This experience gave me the opportunity to travel the world, share rooms and create music alongside some music legends and great homegrown talent alike. Some notable icons I’ve shared the stage with include Paul Anka, David Foster, Celine Dion, Michael Bolton, Harry Connick Jr., Kenny G, Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, and Stevie Wonder, to name just a few. I also had the opportunity to perform for many world & creative leaders, including Barack & Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, and Her Royal Highness the late Queen Elizabeth II.

After working as a touring musician for many years, the pandemic hit, giving me the challenge of rebuilding. I learned to spend more time with my family, and refocus on my love for providing music education and mentorship. I revived a career within the church alongside my growing training program for vocalists.

Having primarily worked on the music of other artists, I had a desire to create my own original music however, the opportunity hadn’t presented itself. That changed when an old friend and former colleague, John Thomas, contacted me about a musical he began writing. Having previously worked together and wanting to find a way to do so again, it seemed like a great opportunity, and the timing couldn’t be better. My vision was to create work that gives voice to kindness, truth and courage, and that inspires through a mutual connection in music. HERSTORY is the exact kind of show I’d been looking to compose for. My hope with this show and my music within it is that it may impart inspiration, not just to the audience but my own children. That it will give a voice to the hard work and sacrifice that began with my parents’ journey to the multicultural Canada we now call home. And closest to my own heart, that my late father, a Canadian immigrant, will be proud of the work I’ve created and see his loving inspiration ingrained in every note.

Team Joint Statement

As a team we come from three completely different lived experiences, we are from three different generations and we are all at different points in our lives. We are unique artists with our own points of view: John is a creative soul that enjoys absorbing the world around him and translating it onto the stage. Amanda is a filmmaker at heart, who hopes to leave the world in a better place than she found it, using her films and projects to educate and inspire. Darryn is a multi-instrumental creator who trusts his musical instincts and life experiences to inspire him and his work, he focuses on amplifying a message that can speak to everyone in every walk of life, steeping his work in truth and writing directly from the heart.

Despite our differences we all agree on one thing, this story deserves to be told because it hasn’t been before. We need to have an understanding of where we come from, in order to help us to understand where we are and where we can go, so as to move forward as a society. Outwardly, this is a man’s world, but that’s simply not true to the reality of the majority of people living across this planet. Living in a society with those views is not complete and it’s certainly not honest. It should be, and it can be, it’s an attainable future, if we want it. There’s always been strong females in this world and throughout history, even if their stories were lost to time.

As the sole parent within our trio, Darryn is both a father and step father to young women, it’s important for him to give them examples of women who lived, who fought, who loved. They don’t need to be heroes, they just need to be real women, who lived a real life and made real choices to get where they wanted to go, so as to show his daughters, it’s possible, these are women who can inspire them, women who they can see themselves in. Our show provides an opportunity to connect women who have survived their circumstances and shown resilience, the resilience needed to survive and thrive, in a world not created in their image.

The three of us have come together to tell this story as a team, sharing and imparting our collective wisdom to create something that hopefully changes hearts and minds, makes people see the future that we deserve, the future that’s attainable, a future of inclusivity, acceptance, truth, reconciliation and love for all.