Jean Pierre is well known for his acting ability. He has produced and performed in classrooms, at events and on stage. He has also performed in at least one movie that was produced in Gibsons, BC on the Sunshine Coast. He is known internationaly for his stage presence. He speaks several languages which make it much easier to communicate with many different audiences.
May-June 2009 "Under the Baobab Tree"
Written, directed and narrated by Jean Pierre Makosso, music by Fana Soro, this show takes you on a journey through music, songs, dances, stories and riddles. "Get ready to laugh, dance and sing along." - Saint Albert Children Festival, Alberta
"When the sun goes down in Congo, it's party central! Everyone's there to whoop it up with musicians, dancers and storytellers." - Vancouver International Chldren's Festival
SCHOOL COMMENTS "Great stories, music and involvement of students. Excellent presenters, keep them. - Martha Currie Elementary
"They had everyone's attention. They spoke at the student level. They had the children in several activities. They all listened and enjoyed the performance. It was great, captivating and was amazing. Everything, the music, the tale, the dance. We also learned about the African culture." - Rochester Elementary, Immersion
"We appreciated that the presentaion was given in both French and English. It was fabulous! We'd love to see them again. Wonderful! Magnifique! Engaged, involved, very enjoyable and fun. Very Good! Great cultural experience. It presented a variety of different aspects of the French: language, culture, music, dance, storytelling, life and actions. The lesson behind the story that everyone is a family, united and working together was so most appreciated and educational."- Mary Hill Elementary
December 2008 "Sleeping Beauty"
A pantomime at Heritage Playhouse in Gibsons BC directed by Susan Beer. The legend of Sleeping Beauty came to life last week to capacity audiences. The duo of supposedly identical twins was played with great comic ability by veteran perfomers Sally Williams and Jean Pierre Makosso." Jan DeGRASS, Coast Reporter
February 2008 "Pamojo"
African tale that takes the audience on a journey from anywhere in the world, to Canada, to the Sunshine Coast, written and directed by Jean Pierre Makosso, narrated by Jean Pierre Makosso and Anthony Fast, stories told by local performers and produced by Magik Moments Healing and Makosso Village at the Gibsons, BC Heritage Playhouse. Jean Pierre Makosso, a consummate storyteller and performer, provided the show's continuity by relating a tale of a hungry crocodile and scared rooster that called the croc a brother. By the show's finale, children from the audience eagerly joined him on stage to give their own ending to this tale." Jan DeGRASS, Coast Reporter
August 2008 "Super Patriots and morons"
Lead role. Mungabe, President of Zimbabwe, produced by Amnesty International and directed by Pasi Gunguwo from Vancouver.
April 2007 "I, Anansi, the spider"
Universal tales from the Congo about Anansi the spider, written, directed and played by Jean Pierre Makosso. "He crouches on stage like a lion. He whirls through the air like a bird. A folk tale character from Africa, Anansi the Spider, appeared on a Gibsons stage last week end in the shape of the talented performer and storyteller, Jean Pierre Makosso." Jan DeGRASS, Coast Reporter
November 2007 "Culture Talk"
Written and directed by Jean Pierre Makosso for Canada World Youth. The 18 young mozambicans and Canadians who make up the Canadian World Youth (CWY) group on the Sunshine Coast were all part of this high energy performance at the Gibsons BC Heritage Playhouse. "The show "Culture Talk" written and directed by Jean Pierre Makosso brought the Gibsons Heritage Playhouse alive with the energy of the Canada World Youth Group combined with local talent and "Makosso Village" for 3 shows of dance, theatre and song." Jan DeGRASS, Coast Reporter
February 2006 "African Voices"
Writer, Director and Actor. A story of human beings who are so proud to be human and humble. Tole of races. "Makosso is a consummate storyteller who can tell tales in many languages including English, French and the language of his greatest feeling, his own tribal tongue." Jan DeGRASS, Coast Reporter
September 2006 "Izabobo"
Lead role. An African epic written and directed by Comfort Ero, created by African Stages and presented by New Works at the Scotia Bank Center in Vancouver.
After the world tour in so many plays Jean Pierre Makosso now lives in Gibsons, BC, Canada since July 2001. In 2002 and 2003 he acted lead roles in "The Dance of The Leopard" and "The Lioness Can Also Roar" African plays written and directed by Comfort Ero staged in Vancouver, BC. In January 2003 he directed and acted in "The Uncontrollable Laughter" another African play staged in Gibsons, BC. His theater skills and humor usually gives his audience an elated spirit during his performances. Also a Francophone language used poses no hinderance to him when theater speaks.
2005 "The Lioness Can Also Roar"
A Harrowing Tale of Growing Up in Africa
Fringe Festival Arts & Entertainment Article
A Harrowing Tale of Growing Up in Africa
Singing, dancing, joyous, delightful storytelling, but most especially with a smile warmer than her native sun, Comfort Adesuwa Ero tells an otherwise harrowing tale of growing up in Africa. Her tale deals with female circumcision, marriage as literal slavery, the bleaching of her culture by forced European "education" and the ideological repression inherent in her own society. Yet, upon leaving I find myself beaming at folks on the street and dancing at the bus stop, mumbling conga drum beats. The Lioness Can Also Roar is a bedtime story for adults. That's the only way I can think to describe it; the subject matter possibly makes it unsuitable for children (though I don't think so) but you feel like a child being regaled by your own mother or granny about her magical adventures. Her co-star Jean-Pierre Makosso is a brilliant performer who plays pretty much every other character with casual aplomb. Flashing from goofy to malevolent to smilingly sinister he personifies all that is wonderful and horrible about Africa. There are flaws structurally, though I don't know much about African storytelling traditions. How does Comfort get from the village to the city? How does she get to Canada? Aw, who cares, I was rooting for her to escape; so long as she did I didn't mind how. This tragically underattended show, I have no doubt, will be one of the highlights of the Fringe for me, though hopefully other folks have the good sense to take it in. A.H.
May 2004 "M'Bassu"
A storytelling extravaganza of wonderful ludicrous vignettes of animals and their mishaps and good fortunes, co-written and co-directed with John Conway. Gibsons BC Heritage Playhouse. Jean Pierre Makosso, from the French African Congo, steps out onto stage and starts to sing M'bassu. He's drumming, he's singing and he is inspiring the audience to smile, to laugh,, to play and sing with him. A storyteller, a drummer, a dancer, and a child at heart, Jean Pierre exudes an infectious brilliance that leaves every face in the audience beaming with excitement.- The Balanced Life Magazine
2003 "The Dance of the Leopard"
Lead role. A funny tale of the falling of an African selfish King, written and directed by Comfort Ero.
January 2003 "Uncontrollable Laughter"
Written by Tchicaya U'Tam'si (Born in Congo in 1931, Passed away in France in 1988)
Adapted by Jean Pierre Makosso and translated from French to English by Jacqueline Rogers Billed as an "African folk comedie", the play mixed earthy storytelling, subtly sly political references and Congolese music and dance into a unique theatre experience.- Heather Jeal, Coast Reporter
