Raised in Ottawa Rose-Ingrid Benjamin (she/they) is a member of the Haitian diaspora settled in what is commonly known as Canada. She is a gifted speaker, writer, producer and performer that embodies the vastness of what it means to be an artist. With performance credits across Canada and the US notably, Hart House Theatre, Toronto Maple Leafs, Government of Canada, The Extreme Tour, Creative Mornings Ottawa, Orlando Fringe, and Oh Canada Eh? Rose-Ingrid is no stranger to the stage. 

 

Her soulful voice, described by The Medium’s Sahiba Shah as an “absolutely stunning, melodic, goosebump-inducing voice that shines in a league of its own.” is one of the things that sets Rose-Ingrid apart from her contemporaries. Combined with her skill as a writer and incredible stage presence, Rose-Ingrid has carved a path for herself as a writer, comedian, actor, spoken word artist and producer alongside her first love of music.

 

Not to be deterred, Rose-Ingrid dove into the world of stand up comedy and in her first two years has left her mark on the scene. She brings her seasoned stage presence and infectious energy to storytelling and quips about her upbringing as a closeted Pentecostal preacher and eldest immigrant daughter. Her comedy credits include We’re Funny That Way, Ladyfest MTL, Laugh Riot Grrrl Festival, Kickback MTL, Cultures Comedy Club, Big Gay Comedy Show, and Fresh Hot Babes.

 

As an educator and advocate, Rose-Ingrid has become a sought-after moderator, panelist, speaker, and workshop facilitator.  She has had the pleasure of speaking and presenting for various institutions including the Canadian Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity, the Canadian Arts Summit, the Canadian Bureau of International Education, la Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada, National Arts Centre, Moody College, and Knoxdale Public School. 

 

They are fiercely passionate about issues surrounding racial justice, LGBTQ+ inclusion, and how class impacts and intersects with these. In 2019, she participated in The Center For Justice and Renewal’s Justice Leadership Institute for Emerging Leaders of African Descent where she and 9 other young Black leaders sat under the tutelage of Dr Christena Cleveland and Zakiya Jackson. They have notably brought this passion to the National Arts Centre’s Audience Engagement department where they serve as the Senior Engagement Strategist, Community and Partnerships. She has also worked alongside the NAC’s English Theatre in curating the inaugural NAC Hip Hop Theatre Festival in February 2024. 

 

Rose-Ingrid refuses to be boxed in and continues to create art that reflects her intersections as a Black Queer woman, immigrant’s daughter and a survivor of spiritual abuse and trauma. Inspired by songwriters and leaders like Nina Simone, she believes that songs and stories can change the world and is committed to seeing that truth in her writing.