Name: Sonia Suzette Williamscaribbeanstudiesassociation.org/docs/Sonia_Suzette_Williams_vitae.pdf · 2 WORKSHOP Workshop for Teachers of CXC in Theatre Arts Trinidad & Tobago 2000

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CURRICULUM VITAE

Name: Sonia Suzette Williams 7 Grand View Heights

Shop Hill

St Thomas

Barbados (246) 237 74997

[email protected]

[email protected]

QUALIFICATIONS

POST GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN HIGHER EDUCATION TEACHING AND

LEARNING University of the West Indies Cave Hill 2012

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN THEATRE ARTS AND WOMEN STUDIES, Hamilton College

Clinton New York 1989

HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA Brooklyn Technical High School Brooklyn New York 1985

Major (Chemistry)

DANCE EDUCATION

Edna Manley College for the Visual and Performing Arts, Dance Summer Program 2011

Caribbean Folk, Modern Techniques, Afro-Cuban 1996-1997 Jamaica

Hamilton College Modern Techniques, Kinesiology, Choreography 1985-1989 Clinton, New

York

The Barbados Dance Theatre Caribbean Folk, Modern, Afro-Cuban Barbados 1990-1992

WRITERS WORKSHOPS

Callaloo Journal Writers Workshop, Fiction University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, May

2016

Writer in Resident Cropper Foundation Creative Writers Residential Workshop Trinidad May

2012

Writers’ Workshop in Fiction University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, Barbados, 2001

Writers’ Workshop in Poetry University of the West Indies Cave Hill, Barbados. 1998

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WORKSHOP

Workshop for Teachers of CXC in Theatre Arts Trinidad & Tobago 2000

AWARDS & FELLOWSHIPS

Roland Edwards Prize for contribution to the development of the Performing Arts in

Barbados 2016

Community Service Award Sankofa Productions, St. Peter, Barbados 2005

Governor General Award For Excellence In Drama National Independence Festival of the

Creative Arts, Professional Category, Barbados 1998

Actress of the Year Character: Marie Ange, Play: Your Handsome Captain by Simone Swartz

Bart Directed by Earl Warner Barbados 1993

Thomas J. Watson Fellowship to Nigeria U.S.A 1989

Samuel Babbitt Kirkland Prize in Theatre Hamilton College, Clinton New York,U.S.A. 1988

Karen Williams Prize in Theater Hamilton College, Clinton New York, U.S.A1987

Award of Merit Brooklyn Technical High School Brooklyn, New York, U.S.A 1985

Most Recent Post

Lecturer: August 2008- July 2013

Errol Barrow Center for the Creative Imagination U.W.I. Cave Hill Responsible for teaching:

Introduction to Theatre, Directing Performance, Ensemble, Critical Foundations in the Arts,

Acting for Stage and Screen, Directing yearly performances, Advising Capstone Thesis for all

Senior Theatre students, Produced the Ensemble Production for 4 years, Organized the visit to

Mona Campus for the Tallawah festival for 3 years, served on Curriculum Development

Committee, Recruitment of New Students Committee, auditioned and interviewed new students,

Assisted Part-time Lecturers, temporary and guest lecturers to acclimatize to the program and

processes involved in teaching and assessment standards within the university system.

Founder & Director of Expressive Arts Productions Transforming the world through artistic excellence.

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A production company that facilitates the development of the Performance Arts and the Literary

Arts by offering the services of tuition, mentoring, consultancy and personnel such as Front of

House, Players, Stage Managers, Directors, Writers, Property Makings, Set Designers and

Producers, to ensure successful performance events,

RECENT CONTRACTS & PROGRAMS :

National Coach National Independence Festival 2016 Theatre Arts Competition 2016

National Judge Literary Arts Poetry 2016

Combermere Secondary School, Teacher: English, English Literature, Theatre Arts,

Communication Studies, September -December 2016

Writer Documentary working title "Blood in the Rock: The Development of Indigenous

Performance Culture in Barbados" Clients: Pinelands Creative Workshop & Michelle Springer

Research Officer N.C.F, A Oral History Project. July - August 2016

Writer/Deviser & Director From Bussa to Barrow & Beyond: National Production for the 50th

Anniversary of Independence . April 16th 2016

Facilitator National Development Workshop for Stagecraft & Directing who participate in

N.I.F.C.A, May 31st 2016

Facilitator National Developmental Workshop for Writers who participate in N.I.F.C.A, June 1st

2016

Drama Tutor Youth Achieving Results, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Culture, April-

November 2016

Artist in Resident Cermes U.W.I. Cave Hill, June – November 2016

Manager Hastings Farmers Market, Open every Wednesday & Saturday, Nov.2015- July 2016

Writer Proposals for International Funding for a Private Company (Confidential) May 2016 -

Mentor Literary Arts Desk, Playwrights Incubator 2016, Mentee: Francine Bradshaw N.C.F

May to June 2016

Drama Tutor Youth Achieving Results Program, October 2014-May 2015

Teacher Cape Performing Arts Queen’s College September 2014- May 2015

Director N.C.F. Literary Arts Desk, Playwright’s Incubator 2015, Dramatic Stage Reading of

New Play, Mathew Murrell Mentee, N.C.F. April 2015

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Artistic Director Tribute to Kamau Brathwaite, The Inaugural Kamau Brathwaite’s Lecture

Cultural Studies, Department of Humanities, U.W.I. Cave Hill. March 2015

Consultant Venezuelan Embassy, Produced Two Performance Events, March 2015,

Consultant Haynesville Community Group. Development in Choreography and Storytelling

May 2015

Consultant Barbados Association of Drama Educators B.A.D.E. Attended the Production Skills

Practical Exam School Based Assessment for CSEC at 13 Schools, wrote a Report assessing the

performance, made recommendations to address the needs of the teachers and the students and

recommended a play to represent Barbados at the Caribbean Secondary Schools Drama Festival

2015.

Panel Critique Launch of The Butterflies’ Coat by Ronald Williams National Library services

Bridgetown 2015

Private Tutor 10 week workshop in Literature for two 4th form students of Queens College

2015

Facilitator 10 Week Directing & Acting Technique Workshop October - December 2014

National Coach N.I.F.C.A Theatre Arts October –November 2014 & 2015

N.I.F.C.A. Judge Literary Arts Plays: Adult Poetry, Children’s Poetry October- November

2014 & 2015

Ghost Writer Manuscript,Working Title: The Triune Vision - A Memoir of Prince Nna Nna’s

life, his participation in the Grenadian Revolution, his roles as the Honorable Maurice Bishop’s

body guard, trainer of the Revolutionary army, one of the leaders in the Nyahbinghi order, and

his visions and works as a Nyahbinghi priest throughout the English-speaking Caribbean. 2014-

2015

Facilitator National Writers Workshop Series, Performance Poetry Workshop, August 2014

Children of the Sun Production Easter Camp Director of the Camp, Teacher & Administrator,

Children of the Sun Productions, Easter Performing Arts School, Good Shepherd Primary 2014

(10 members of Staff)

Mentored Six artist 2014-2015

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TEACHING EXPERIENCES

Lecturer BFA Program E.B.C.C.I. University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Barbados

2008-2013

Part-time Tutor Drama Elective General Studies, Barbados Community College 2005- 2007

Part-time Tutor Associate Degree in Theater Arts-Barbados Community College (History of

Theatre, Acting, Voice and Speech, Stage Management, Theatre Portfolio) 1994-1995, 1999-

2001, 2004, 2002-2008, 2013

Acting Tutor Workshop for Actors-The Actors Workshop Private Studio Barbados 1999-2004

Tutor 30 hour Workshop for Teachers: Teaching Theatre Arts for CXC, Foundation High

School, Barbados 2003

Drama Teacher Garrison Secondary School Barbados 1999-2003

Tutor Self-Empowerment & Professional Development Workshop for Caddies, Sandy Lane

Hotel, 80 Students, (10 weeks) 1999

Part-time Tutor Drama for Personal Development, Barbados Youth Service

1993-1995, 1999

Tutor Drama & Culture Dottin Academy Barbados 1999

Tutor Acting Workshop, Mile & a Quarter Community Group (10 weeks), Barbados 1998

Tutor Voice & Speech Workshop Radio Announcers, Voice of Barbados 1998

Theater Arts Tutor Edna Manley College for the Visual & Performing Arts

Tutor in the Associate Degree in Theatre Arts, Drama in Education & Certificate in

Theatre Arts Program,

Subjects taught: History of Theatre, Introduction Acting Technique, Intermediate Acting

Technique and Advanced Acting Techinique, Voice and Speech, Playmaking: Using

Caribbean Cultural forms as a source for creating Theatre, Directing, Acting for Dancers

Jamaica 1995-1997

Acting Tutor, Youth Entrepreneurship Training Program, Acting Workshop in Communities,

Trinidad & Tobago 1995

Acting Teacher National Cultural Foundation, Drama Workshops for Community

Development, Speighstown Community Center, 1993, New Orleans Community Center,

Barbados 1994

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PLAYS - WRITER & OR DIRECTOR

Crop Over Read-In: In the Spirit Director Sonia Williams, Producer: N.C.F. The Steel Shed,

Barbados, June 2014

The Life of Princess Magogo A One Act Play, Writer Thobekile Mbanda, Playwright’s Mentor

& Director Sonia Williams, Producers: Sonia Williams & Thobekile Mbanda, The Steel Shed,

Barbados, October 2013

Embodied Knowing Choreopoem Writer & Director Sonia Williams, Cultural Exchange,

Walcott Warner Theatre University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Barbados & Cuba 2012

Shepherd Full Length Play Writer Rawle Gibbons, Director Sonia Williams University of the

West Indies, Cave Hill 2012 Walcott Warner Theatre University of the West Indies, Cave Hill

2013

Da Kink in my Hair Writer Trey Anthony, Director Sonia Williams, Experimental

Environmental Concept, George Lamming Pedagogical Centre University of the West Indies

Cave Hill 2010

“Nou Led Nou La”: “We are ugly but we are here” Compiled by Dr. Yanique Hume Director

Sonia Williams, Fund Raiser for the people of Haiti after the earthquake in 2010, Walcott

Warner Theatre, University of the West Indies, Cave Hill 2010

Excerpts from Missa Solemnis Writer Kamau Braithwaite Performance Art Piece Director &

Performer Sonia Williams, Faculty of Humanities and Education, Walcott Warner Theatre

University of the West Indies, Cave Hill. 2010

Odale’s Choice Writer Kamau Braithwaite Director Sonia Williams Walcott Warner Theatre

University of the West Indies, Cave Hill 2008

Odale’s Choice Restaged: Carifesta X Georgetown, Guyana August 22nd-31st 2008,

Sugar Pain Blues Team of Writers Mathew Murrell, Shawn Greene, Hazel Charles, Sonia

Williams, Director Sonia Williams UWI Cave Hill 2008

Sugar Pain Blues Restaged Tallawah Festival, Philip Sherlock Centre for the Creative Arts,

University of the West Indies Mona Jamaica 2008

Excerpts from - Drums and Colors: An Epic Play Writer Derek Walcott, Director Sonia

Williams,Walcott Warner Theatre University of the West Indies, Cave Hill

Return to the Source (Adaptation of poetry from Kamau Braithwaite “Mask” for the stage)

Compiled by Dr. Ikeal Tafari, Structured by Sonia Williams Director Sonia Williams

Commissioned by Ministry of Youth Affairs and Culture and the Commission for Pan-African

Affairs, Emancipation Day, The Barbados Museum 2006

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Children of Negus Writers: Bruce St. John, Compiled by Dr. Ikeal Tafari Structured by Sonia

Williams Director Sonia Williams Commissioned by Ministry of Youth Affairs and Culture and

the Pan-African Commission for Emancipation Day Frank Collymore Hall Barbados 2004

Jean & Dinah who have been locked away in a world famous Calypso since 1956 Speaks their

minds Publicly Writer Tony Hall Director Sonia Williams Morningside Barbados Community

College Portfolio Barbados 2004

Mash up Can’t Buy Back, Multimedia Performance Piece Writer & Director Sonia Williams

Garrison Secondary School Barbados 2002

Strappings One Act Play Writer and Director Sonia Williams Garrison Secondary School

Barbados 2001

City Nights Central Bank Choir Director Sonia Williams Frank Collymore Hall Barbados 2001

Bridgetown Market, Dance-Drama Choreographed & Directed by Sonia Williams Garrison

Secondary School Barbados 1999

Ancestral Call, a Multi-Media Performance Piece, Writer & Director Sonia Williams Garrison

Secondary School Barbados 1999

Orinoco Flow, Choreographer Sonia Williams Garrison Secondary School Barbados 1999

Amandala, Full length Play Writer & Director Sonia Williams Dennis Scott Theatre Edna

Manley College for the Visual and Performing Arts Jamaica 1997

3 Points off Center, A One Woman Play, Writer, Director & Performer Sonia Williams Philip

Sherlock Centre for the Creative Arts University of the West Inides, Mona Jamaica International

Woman’s Day 1997

Excerpts from - For Colored Girls who have Considered Suicide when the Rainbow is Enuf, Writer Ntozake Shange Director Sonia Williams Dennis Scott Theater Edna Manley College for

the Visual and Performing Arts Jamaica 1997

After Eden Ecstasy Revisited Team of Writers: Michelle Springer, Margaret Brito, Helen

Carnegie, Amanda Cumberbatch, Complied & Directed by Sonia Williams Cave Hill Theatre

Workshop, Lecture Theatre, University of the West Indies Barbados 1995

Pilgrimage to Freedom Martha’s Vineyard United States of America 1994,

Pilgrimage to Freedom Restaged, One Woman Show, Writer Director & Performer Philips and

Fraser’s Bar, Trinidad & Tobago 1995

Pilgrimage to Freedom Restaged, Trinidad Theatre Workshop, Carifesta IX Trinidad & Tobago

1995

Pilgrimage to Freedom Restaged, Casa de la Comedia Cuba 1996.

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Stage Roles Played

Nen & Mama Neza Carnival Medea Writer Rhoma Spencer & Dr. Shirlene Holmes, Director Rhoma

Spencer Little Carib Theatre Trinidad Feb-march 2017

Ma No Country for a White Hero Writer Sir Hilary Beckles, Director Harclyde Walcott, Warner

Walcott Theatre University of the West Indies Cave Hill Barbados 2014

Doll Sarah Ann Gill: Mother of the Nation Writer Sir Hilary Beckles, Director Harclyde Walcott

Warner Walcott Theatre University of the West Indies Cave Hill Barbados ???

Chorus (Actress, Singer, Dancer) It So Happen Suite Writer Timothy Callender, Director

Ayesha Gibson, Diaspora Arts Production Frank Collymore Hall Barbados 2010

Yemaya Okunte Seven Tonalities of Blue Created by Musical Theatre Students, Director

Leandro Soto, Warner Walcott Theatre University of the West Indies Cave Hill 2010

Helen Hot Flashes Creator & Director Henk Tjon, Daphne Joseph Hackett Theatre, Barbados

2000

Amope The Trials of Brother Jero Writer Wole Soyinka, Staged Reading for Wole Soyinka’s

visit, The Company Limited, Philip Sherlock Center for the Creative Arts University of the West

Indies Mona Jamaica 1997

Woman 2 Voices Compiled & Directed by Fabian Thomas, Dennis Scott Theatre Edna Manley

College for the Visual and Performing Arts, Jamaica 1997

Wuk-up/Spirit of Crop Over Fat Pork Writer Earl Warner & Joan Belfon , Director Earl

Warner Daphne Joseph Hackett Theatre Barbados 1995

Isabella You Tink I mad Miss? Writer Olive Senior, Director Rhoma Spencer, Phillips and Fraser

Trinidad & Tobago 1995

One Woman Show Pligrimage to Freedom Writer, Director, Performer, Sonia Williams

Trinidad Theatre Workshop Carifesta Trinidad & Tobago 1995

Crack Annie Crack Annie Writer Ntozake Shange, Director Earl Warner, Daphne Joseph

Hackett Theatre Barbados 1995

Bajan Woman 1, Dancer, Singer, Bajan Cocktails Created through a process of Improvisation

with players, Scripted & Directed by Winston Farrell Barbados, Martha’s Vineyard United States

of America, 1994

Marie-Ange Your Handsome Captain Writer Simone Swartz-Bart, Director Earl Warner,

Daphne Joseph Hackett Theatre Barbados 1993

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Grandmother & Cissie Growing up stupid under the Union Jack Writer Austin Tom Clarke,

Director Earl Warner, Daphne Joseph Hackett Theatre Barbados 1993

Girl Lights Compiled & Directed by Earl Warner, Ward Theatre Jamaica 1990

Ilinda Heartbeat Writer & Director Winston Farrell, Esso Plays Competition Winner, Steel Shed

Queens Park, Barbados 1990

Readings & Poetry Performance

Tribute Hugo Chavez Commissioned Performance Poetry Piece, Featured Poet, Venezuelan Embassy

Christ Church, Barbados 2014

Green Readings Featured Poet June 2013, Arts Etc. Hastings Christ Church Barbados

Tribute to Martin Luther King Commissioned piece for Gala Performance Gale Theatre of

London and Barbados, Play The Mountaintop Writer Katori Hall, Director Hanna Berrigan,

Frank Collymore Hall Barbados 2013

Tribute to Marcus Garvey Pan African Coalition of Organizations, Pelican Village St Michael

Barbados August 2013

Night of the Griot Featured Artist Crop Over Festival Event, Barbados Museum, Barbados 2009

Rhythms and Song Featured Artist, An evening of Visual Arts and Poetry, Arlington House

Barbados 2004

Tribute to Ricky Parris Commission of Pan African Affairs La Careenage, Barbados 2003

Earth Root Jazz El Vernon Del Congo Daphne Joseph Hackett Theater Barbados 2002

Tribute to the Elders Sankofa Productions Director Danny Hinds Barbados 2002

Earl Warner Trust Fundraising Featured Poet Barbados 2001

Reflections on the Blue Poetry and Musical Performances on a Yacht, Producer Oneika Small

Barbados 2000

May Day National Celebrations Queens Park Barbados 2000

National Library Readings, Featured Writer Speightstown Library Barbados 1999

Barbados Writer’s Collective, Featured Writer The Barbados Museum Barbados 1999

National Cultural Foundation Parish Read-Ins, Featured Artist, The Fisherman’s Pub

Barbados 1999

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Turn on the Music, Turn off the Drugs Concert, Frank Collymore Hall Barbados 1999

Barbados Folk Concert The Barbados Museum Barbados 1999

Sister Circle Gathering Featured Artist Sistren Collective Kingston, Jamaica 1997

Poetry & Jazz Seretse and Friends Edna Manley College for the Visual and Performing Arts

Kingston, Jamaica 1997

Royal Vessels Commisioned Poetry Piece, Basket Exhibition, Queen’s Park Art Gallery Ireka

Jelani Barbados 1995

Barbados Folk Concert, The Steel Shed Barbados 1992

FILMS

Hippolyte Caribbean Dreams Writer & Director Shakirah Bourne, Caribbean Films Productions

Ltd. 2015

Irene, Sweet Bottom Writer & Director Gladstone Yearwood E.B.C.C.I / UWI Cave Hill 2011

Priestess, The Triangle TBS Superstation Movie of the Week, Director, Lewis Teague Canada

1997

Literary Publications

This Too Will Pass A Novella, Publishers: Caribbean Chapters & Expressive Arts Production,

July 2014

Passage Way (short story) & The Unspoken( poetry) POUI Cave Hill Journal of Creative

Writing Number XI, Editor Jane Bryce 2010

Blind Mortise & Tenon a short story Hear Nuh! A Publication of the 2001Workshop in

Creative Writing, Department of Language, Linguistics and Literature, U.W.I. Barbados 2001

“The Fusion of African Rites and Belief System and the English Presence in the Development

of the Barbadian Characters in the Theater” Tablas Revista del Consewjo National de las Artes

Escenias Editor Yana Elsa Brugal, Havana, Cuba 1997

MANUSCRIPTS The Vehicle Short Film 2013

Embodied Knowing Collection of Performance Poetry 2012 (Produced Barbados & Cuba 2013)

Singing ova’ de Bones Collection of Monologues, Short Stories, Poems 2007

Nation Song Full Length Play 2005

A-Mandala Full length play (Produced 1997 Jamaica)

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Three Points Office Center One Woman Play (Produced 1997 Jamaica)

Pilgrimage to Freedom Collection of Performance Poetry 1995

The Ritual Full Length Play Produced Hamilton College 1989

CONFERENCES ATTENDED & PAPERS PRESENTED

Association of Cultural Studies Crossroads Conference, Panel: Beyond the Crossroads:

Revolutionizing Caribbean Identities “The Action of Inclusion Legitimizing King Dyal’s

Performance- Re-conceptualizing Signifying Practices in the Theatrical Discourse” Jamaica July

3rd -8th 2008

Caribbean Studies Association Conference Theme: Centering the Caribbean in Caribbean

Studies Panel J29 Cultural Shifts: Interrogations, Shifts, Centres: Locating our Caribbean in

Caribbean Studies “Liminality in Caribbean Theatre: Voice, Agency and Action in the case of

King Dyal’s Theatre” Jamaica July 1st - 9th 2009

Regional Workshop: Towards National Strategies for Sustainable Heritage Tourism

Development in the Caribbean George Washington House Historical Environmental Dramatic

Piece, Researched, Compiled & Directed by Sonia Williams, Christ Church, Barbados Feb18th -

19th2008

The Seventh Workshop on Caribbean Theory and Criticism, Paper presented:

“Transatlantic Roots/Routes: Pedagogy for Teaching Kamau Braithwaite’s Odale’s Choice”

University of the West Indies Cave Hill Barbados December 8th 2010

RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

The Construction & Function of Traditional West African Performance.

De-centering the Western story of Theatre in the Academy and Re-conceptualizing

Performance from a Caribbean Centered Perspective.

The study of Drama and Performance of Ancient Egyptian

Performance in African- Caribbean Religions & Ritual Practices:: Ifa, Kumina, Revival,

Voodoun, Nine Nights.

Performance in everyday life: King Dyal

OUTREACH

2014-2015 Volunteered at 4 schools and read from my Novella This Too Will Pass

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February 2015 Volunteered at five schools to give workshops during Black History Month

February 2014 Volunteered at 14 primary and secondary schools and three churches during Black

History Month delivering lectures, performances and workshops.

2013 -2014

Volunteered with a class 2 from Good Shepherd Primary School once a week for a year, taught using

drama in education techniques.

2012-2013 Volunteered at Girls Industrial School every Saturday morning for two hours for six months.

I facilitated a Drama for Personal Development Workshop. At the end of six months I invited students

from my ensemble class in the Bachelor of Arts at Errol Brraow Center for the Creative Imagination to

participate as facilitators for a semester as part of their development. One student continued the work on

her own during her summer holiday.

COMMITEES

2016 Mount Piscah Spritual Baptist Church Black History Month Festival Committee

2013-2014 Core Committee Pan African Coalition of Organization: organize national events on

days of significance & educational and outreach programming.

2008-2016 Representative of Edna Manley College for the Visual and Performing Arts: Perform

auditions, invigilate and mark exams for students on the island applying to attend the college.

1999-2003 Barbados Community College Advisory Committee

REFERENCES

Lucille “Icil” Phillips

Hyperion

Upper Ifill Road

Flagstaff Road

St. Michael

246 238 5625, 426 0667

[email protected]

Rawle Gibbons

Senior Lecturer

Department of Creative Festival Arts

U.W.I. St. Augustine

Trinidad and Tobago

[email protected]

(868) 355 0966