About The Legacy Project

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CO-PRODUCER

Darren is a lifelong entrepreneur, business coach and speaker helping small owners scale their business for growth, transition &/or exit.  Darren is also a nationally ranked tennis player and member of the Canadian Maccabiah team.  

Over the decades, Darren has been very active in philanthropy and has always dreamed of leading his own charitable project.  Entering its second year, he is thrilled to watch his dream unfold.

This will be Darren's second time producing, and he has decades of experience as a DJ, singer, dancer, guitarist, street busker and even stand up comedian, including four Unsung Heroes Productions and last year's great success, Vol. 1! 

Darren is so excited to continue building his Legacy with Michelle Sadowski and the rest of the leadership team and cast. 

CO-PRODUCER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Michelle is an experienced and dedicated educator, currently working for a non-profit, The Azrieli Foundation, in Holocaust education.  Engaged in the arts from a young age, and guided by a love of philanthropy, Michelle is thrilled to co-produce and direct The Legacy Project alongside Darren Rabie and the incredibly talented leadership team. 

In addition to last year's debut production of Vol. 1, Michelle has performed in more than 15 on-stage productions.

In addition to theatre, Michelle has many years of experience in the world of dance in the styles of jazz, contemporary and hip-hop. As the Artistic Director of her university fashion show, Fashion 'N' Motion, she choreographed numbers for over 60 students and facilitated the work of 12 talented choreographers for this major annual production.

She cannot wait to continue the magic with Vol. 2!

MUSICAL DIRECTOR

Andrew Ball is a Toronto based performer/musician and a graduate of York University. He has performed in many musical stage productions taking roles such as Roger in 'Rent' (Lower Ossington Theatre), Joseph in 'Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat' (Al Green Theatre) and Stage West Calgary's hit music review '80's Solid Gold'. Andrew has performed internationally, including China, Qatar, and United Arab Emirates with Creativiva Inc., and has been on tour performing in Nickelodeon's 'Paw Patrol Live' show in Canada, France, and South Africa. More recently, he has focused on local creative opportunities including musically directing shows for various companies, teaching piano and voice to students of all ages, and teaching musical theatre at George Brown College.

CHOREOGRAPHER

Marny Florence is a professional Choreographer and Host based out of Toronto. She has had incredible opportunities in the entertainment industry throughout her career thus far; from starring in Alessia Cara's "Scars to your Beautiful" music video, to opening for Prince Harry's "Invictus Games", to performing in the "MMVA's", to choreographing for "The Toronto Rock Cheerleaders", to Audience Coordinating at CTV as well as "Canada's Got Talent". Currently, Marny is co-hosting the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live United States tour, choreographing the production "The Little Mermaid" for Crestwood students, motivational speaking, and leading "Real Talk Community" weekly; a women's empowerment group. Marny’s passion for community, encouragement and connection shines, as she continues to spark the energy, inspire, and create memorable experiences that will last a lifetime!

Marny is honoured to be choreographing for the The Legacy Project Vol. 1 and 2! 

ASSISTANT CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Herbie was so excited to return to the stage as a part of the Legacy Project, Vol. 1. Now, he is thrilled to join the leadership team as the Assistant Creative Director. He is the owner of Manhattan Trophies, an awards company based in Toronto. Before he was a trophy husband and father, Herbie was a graduate of the Music Theatre Performance Program at Sheridan College. As the self-proclaimed "Uta Hagen of children's theatre", Herbie performed across Canada and the US with the Doodlebops and Strawberry Shortcake. Other favourite credits include Mark in Rent (Lower Ossington Theatre), AZ Mouse in Angelina Ballerina (Al Green Theatre) and Georg in Spring Awakening (LOT). With experience directing almost 30 shows, he can't wait to make some magic with The Legacy Project Vol. 2!

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

Jeff is thrilled to join the "Legacy Project Volume 2" Leadership Team as Technical Director for the 2026 Season - where he will gladly say... "Have you tried turning it on and off?"  lol! 

     Jeff has been involved both on and off stage since he was three years old singing first with the Dell Family Singers touring North America, on Inside Track, a television show in the 80s and in several major and minor theatrical productions since, including leads in Les Mis and Man of La Mancha. As a Television Producer and owner of Dell Video Productions,  he understands the logistics of mounting a show and bringing a director's vision to life. As an actor he knows that tech can make or break the performance, but when done right, can make the audience's experience even greater - but it should never get in the way.  He brings his enthusiasm and expertise to this role and is looking forward to working with an amazing group of people for a wonderful cause.  

STAGE MANAGER

Andrea has been involved with 50+ productions in the Greater Toronto Area, predominantly as a stage manager. She has also produced, worked as master carpenter/painter on multiple productions, sat on three executive boards for various groups and has been onstage in five musicals and two straight plays. Andrea began her foray into the theatre world in 2002 when, on a whim, she auditioned for a production of Anne of Green Gables. It was unknown at the time that the fun experience in the ensemble of that show would lead to 20 years working in theatre, in so many different capacities. While Andrea has enjoyed all her theatre experiences, it is stage management that has become her focus and something at which she thrives. Andrea is grateful for all the experiences and friends that theatre has brought into her life. The support and understanding of those closest to her has helped her reach goals and expand her theatre journey beyond anything she could have imagined. She is looking forward to the shows, the people and the places that theatre has yet to bring into her life.

FUNDRAISING DIRECTOR

Jennifer Small is thrilled to be involved with the Legacy Project’s leadership team as fundraising director. Since 2021, Jennifer is re-connecting with her artistic side and pursuing her lifelong passion for singing and dancing by getting involved in charitable fundraising shows such as Unsung Heroes Productions and 3starsconnect. Having studied classical Russian ballet and Royal Conservatory of Music piano growing up and into her 20’s, Jennifer always had a love of the arts and music. Straight out of undergraduate school in Industrial Engineering, she was able to showcase her talents during her travels in the South Pacific, South America and the Caribbean, working for Club Med Cruises. Subsequently, her goal-oriented upbringing and passion for leadership led her to pursue her MBA. For the past 23 years, she is President and CEO of Screenco, a multi-national manufacturing company she still owns and runs today. Jennifer is mom to 4 amazing kids, who along with her supportive husband Allan, are her biggest fans.

COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR

Jori is an authentic and forward-thinking leader with an impressive career journey that spans marketing, communications, employee engagement strategy, and change management. Known for her creativity, collaboration, and innovative problem-solving, Jori is a skilled communicator and presenter, celebrated for her ability to craft compelling narratives and content that connect deeply with diverse audiences. With a commitment to fostering cultures of continuous improvement and high performance, Jori consistently brings energy and fresh perspectives that inspire those around her.

Her love for musical theatre naturally drew her to The Legacy Project, where she is eager to contribute her communications expertise to this exciting initiative. Jori has recently been captivated by productions like Stratford’s Something Rotten and Mirvish’s & Juliet, yet she never tires of her favourites, including Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Wicked, The Wizard of Oz, and The Greatest Showman.

If you spot her with AirPods in, she’s likely engrossed in a personal growth podcast, deep-diving into a true crime YouTube channel, or blasting the Spotify playlist she created with her teenage daughter, featuring a lively blend of Broadway hits, musical classics, and Disney anthems.

PROPS MANAGER

Back in the infancy stage of the Legacy Project, I was approached by Rochelle Coleman on behalf of Darren and Michelle to be part of the production team in a props role. I have been a prop mistress for other amateur theatre productions, love live theatre both as theatre goer and a backstage person, and am a multi-disciplined crafter. I currently work at the Scarborough Guild Theatre Company as an assistant prop mistress with Heather Hyslop Low. As a result have access to their set pieces. This specific theatrical project supporting the Reena Foundation is extremely important to me as I am Neurodiverse proving that stigmas and barriers can be broken.

I would like to thank Heather Lacey for introducing me to the propping and back stage world and give a special shout out to Andrea Wicken, Heather Hyslop Lowe, Jeff Dell, Caryn Ladovsky Smith and Karen Hecker who I have the pleasure of working with in a variety of roles and settings over the years and who I consider mentors. Thank you to my family and friends, and the Legacy Project family for this very special and wonderful opportunity.