Our Founders
George Curtiss Randolph Jr - Founder
With over 35 years of experience in the arts and arts education, George Curtiss Randolph, Jr. is the pioneer of Triple Threat training in Canada. His legacy is currently represented by award-winning TV and film actors, producers, recording artists, directors, choreographers and musical theatre artists performing on stages and screens around the world. He has been honoured as a leader in the arts by The Ontario Black History Society, Dance Immersion, Harbourfront Centre, Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts Barbara Hamilton Award for being an Ambassador for the Arts in Canada, and a Proclamation from Toronto Mayor John Tory. He also won a Canadian Screen Award (Best Biography or Arts Documentary Program or Series) as co-producer of Unsung: Behind the Glee. George was instrumental in establishing a recreational performing arts program for youth at the Stardust Academy in Amman, Jordan and co-founded Show Choir Canada, which produces Canada’s only national show choir competition.
Born and raised in Red Bank, NJ, George received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Hampton University, Hampton, VA. He was a principal dancer with the Alvin Ailey Repertory Ensemble and immigrated to Canada in 1980 to join Les Ballets Jazz de Montréal as a principal dancer. In 1985 George founded Randolph Dance Theatre, the leading professional dance studio in Canada. He produced and directed four international dance extravaganzas, The T.O. Hot Shoe Show, featuring prima ballerinas Karen Kain and Evelyn Hart; members of the New York City Ballet, The Bolshoi Ballet, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, Desrosiers Dance Theatre, Toronto Dance Theatre, and the American Ballet Theatre; and a finale choreographed by Tony Award winner Michael Peters. As the demand grew for triple-threat talent for the budding musical theatre industry being created and brought into Canada, he switched focus and in 1992 founded the Randolph College for the Performing Arts, providing exceptional training for those wishing to pursue a career in the performing arts.
Lauren Brett Randolph - Founder Randolph Kids Performing Arts Program
Lauren Brett Randolph’s commitment to educating and inspiring young performers has spanned over 35 years. For 12 years, she managed the day-to-day operations of the Randolph College for the Performing Arts, overseeing policy and curriculum implementation, among other duties. In 1998, due to her love of seeing people reach their potential and a need to bring something different to the world of children’s performing arts programming, she founded and developed the Randolph Kids Performing Arts program. There was nothing like it at the time and we are proud to say that we have almost 700 children in our halls every week, singing, dancing and acting. In 2011, Lauren developed the performing arts curriculum at Stardust Academy, a new performing arts school in Amman, Jordan. She also served as admissions director and financial aid officer for RCPA’s College Program until August 2013, returning in 2016. From December 2017 to November 2019, she held the position of Executive Director. Lauren is currently the Strategic Advisor to RCPA.
Before RCPA, Lauren spent 15 years as a certified head coach, developing the skills of national-level rhythmic gymnasts, and leading them to compete at the World Championships and Pan Am Games. During that time, she was recognized by the Canadian Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation as Coach of the Year. Lauren herself was a member of the national team, representing Canada at the World Championships.
As well as her involvement at RCPA, Lauren is a certified professional leadership coach. She has a private practice, is an Associate with Sports Law & Strategy Group and since 2017 has been a leadership coach for the Canadian Olympic Committee Olympic Co-op program.
Board
Adrienne Batra
Adrienne Batra is the Editor in Chief of the Toronto Sun. Her degree in political science and Master's in Public Administration have served her well in her career – one that ranges from working as a researcher with the Saskatchewan Legislature, Manitoba Director for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, Director of Communications for the Rob Ford for Mayor campaign, and serving as his Press Secretary during his time as Mayor.
Her work in media includes positions with the Toronto Sun as a Comment Editor and columnist, a role as a political commentator on Newstalk 1010, and host of her TV show on Sun News Network, which focused on political, social and economic issues. She has appeared on Fox Business News, CNN and BBC and is a frequent contributor on Global News and CTV News Channel, CBC, CP24 and AM640. In June 2015, Ms. Batra was appointed as the Editor in Chief of the Toronto Sun and 24Hours Toronto.
Ms. Batra also served in the Canadian Armed Forces, obtaining the rank of Lieutenant, and was nominated for a YWCA Woman of Distinction award. In 2013 she was awarded a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal and serves on the Board of Governors for the National Newspaper Awards, and the Canadian Journalism Foundation and is a Board Member of the Canadian Club of Toronto.
Clarence Ford
Clarence Ford is a ‘visionator’, merging live entertainment with technology to create unconventional experiences on stage, screen, ice and water. His drive to grow live entertainment’s untapped potential has taken him from staging Cirque du Soleil’s ‘KOOZA’ to bringing pop culture to Olympic synchronized swimmers and skaters like Kurt Browning and world champion Yuna Kim. He’s worked on concerts for the late, great James Brown, Alanis Morissette, Grammy Award winners Arrested Development, and Canadian pop stars Sugar Jones, as well as events featuring various renowned talents, such as Lenny Kravitz, David Foster, Wyclef Jean, Avril LaVigne, Sarah and the Barenaked Ladies. Clarence is proud to be the Founder and Executive Director of Square Circle (a Social Circus Program), utilizing Circus Arts to engage youth in underserved communities.
He has had work commissioned by the Vancouver Olympics, created and curated a Funk festival for Luminato, worked for the Junos, Genies AND Geminis, and has served on the Arts & Culture Advisory Council for the Toronto 2015 Pan Am and Parapan Am Games. Clarence is honoured to be on the Board of the Toronto Artscape Foundation.