Our Founders

George Curtiss Randolph Jr - Founder

With over 45 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. His impact extended internationally when he was selected to join Premier Wynne’s first Economic Trade Mission to Shanghai, China, representing Musical Theatre training in Canada.

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.