Trey Anthony – Biography

Born in England of Jamaican parents, Trey Anthony began doing stand-up comedy during African Nubian Comedy Nights at Toronto’s Yuk-Yuk’s Comedy Cabaret. She has performed as well with Second City, and was a writer for HBO’s The Chris Rock Show (1997–2000) and a writer and performer on After Hours with Kenny Robinson (2001). Her first theatrical play, ‘Da Kink in My Hair, debuted in 2001 at the Toronto Fringe Festival. Set in a hair salon run by Caribbean immigrants, and composed of a series of monologues, the play introduces the audience to the women who work at and visit the place. Anthony’s aunt was in the styling business, and the play’s characters and monologues are based largely on her girlhood memories.

‘Da Kink in my Hair became a theatrical phenomenon, growing to become the first Canadian play to be presented at (and sell out) Toronto’s Princess of Wales Theatre, Canada’s largest commercial theatre. It earned four Dora nominations and was the recipient of four NAACP Theatre Awards. It was presented at the San Diego Repertory Theatre to rave reviews and packed houses. In 2004, it was adapted for a television movie broadcast on Vision TV, and later Anthony was the co-star, and executive producer, co-creator and writer on the spin-off Global series (2007-09). A musical version of ‘Da Kink debuted in New York in the fall of 2010.

Anthony served as a producer at W, the Women’s Television Network, and a writer for the Comedy Network. She was also the executive producer/co-host of the 2003 Urban Womyn’s Comedy Festival, Dat girl, sho is funny! held at Toronto’s St. Lawrence Centre. She co-wrote I Am Not a Dinner Mint… the crap women swallow to stay in a relationship, which debuted at the Harbourfront Centre Theatre in 2006 to sold-out audiences. Next came Secrets of a Black Boy, a male response to ‘Da kink in 2009 at the Music Hall, produced by Anthony and written by her brother, Darren. She is currently working on a new play entitled Black Mothers Don’t Say I Love You, and she served as a playwright in residency at Toronto’s Canstage Theatre.

Anthony’s work has been published in Testifyin’ Vol. 2, Beyond the Pale: Dramatic Writing from First Nation Writers & Writers of Colour, She Speaks: Monologues for Women edited by Judith Thompson, and Outspoken: A Canadian Collection of Lesbian Scenes and Monologues edited by Susan G. Cole. She is an outspoken activist, speaking passionately about issues that are important to her such as access to the arts, women’s wellness, queer rights and diversity. She is the president and founding member of the Trey Anthony @ One Centre, a creative wellness centre for women.

Anthony ran the centre for two years before heading south of the border to pursue other creative opportunities. A powerhouse businesswoman, Anthony is a motivational speaker and has toured across the U.S., inspiring others to live meaningful lives.

Also see: Trey Anthony’s filmography.

This biography was written for Northernstars by Wyndham Wise and is Copyright © 2013. It may not be reproduced without prior written permission. Click here for more about copyright.