Toronto, ON– Local tap dance choreographer Shawn Byfield will be celebrating FIVE nominations for the show “I think I can” at the 2007 Dora Mavor Moore Awards on June 25. The Awards take place at the Winter Garden Theatre in Toronto.

Shawn Byfield is the choreographer of “I think I can”, a story about bullying, teamwork and science. The play, told almost entirely through tapdance, closed the season at Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People. The show received five nods at this year’s Dora Awards, including OUTSTANDING NEW MUSICAL. The Doras celebrates excellence in Toronto theatre, dance and opera.

“It’s a thrill just to be nominated,” states Shawn, who is also the Co-Creator of the show alongside playwright Florence Gibson. “This is my first major play. The fact that we received not just one, but FIVE nominations blew me away. That normally doesn’t happen on your first try.”

A highly respected teacher and choreographer, Shawn started dance at six years old, and now shares more than 22 years experience in the industry. Shawn is Director of Canada’s National Tapdance Ensemble Funk Factory, and is a regular to television and film. Shawn appeared in the movie Bojangles with Gregory Hines, and his most current role is in the upcoming film Hairspray, starring John Travolta and Queen Latifah.

To get more information about the 2007 Dora Mavor Moore Awards or about Shawn Byfield, visit:

http://tapa.ca/doras/ or http://www.shawnbyfield.com/bio.htm

# # #