The Royale

Tosin Morohunfola is an actor, writer, director and son of Nigerian immigrants, who you may recognize from his magnetic charm as a regular on Run The World (STARZ) or from his brooding intensity alongside David Oyelowo in the Taylor Sheridan western Lawmen: Bass Reeves (Paramount+). He also recurred as a dreamy romantic on the series Julia (HBO Max), a hilarious F-boy on ABC’s Everything’s Trash (Freeform), a teleporting supervillain on Black Lightning (CW), and a terrifying gang lord from The Chi (Showtime). Previous TV credits include an ark on Love Is (OWN) and guest appearances in Stumptown (ABC), NCIS (CBS), I’m Sorry (TruTV), and recurring as a doctor on Chicago Med (NBC). On film, he stars in Amazon’s Blackbox, BET’s romantic comedy Always A Bridesmaid, the erotic thriller, Friend Request and the bro-mantic comedy, North of the 10. He was also in Oscar-winner Kevin Willmott’s The 24th, nominated for a NAACP Image award. Currently, he costars in the action-heist film, 1992 (Lionsgate) with Ray Liotta. Currently, he leads Tyler Perry’s heart-warming romantic drama Finding Joy (Amazon). Tosin is also a filmmaker whose festival-selected shorts are: The Pulpit: Prelude, a thriller about a controversial pastor under threat from extremists, which is also being developed as a feature, Endowed, a parable about fear, faith and fatherhood, and On Sight, a social justice police thriller. Currently, he's producing Famous Enough, a dark comedy about the dangers of celebrity. Tosin has also written two series’ about his Nigerian heritage: Single A.F. and Small Chops. Tosin's writing and filmmaking centers on stories of empathy, awareness, belonging and seeing the human as hero. His TYA play, The Drum Closet was also commissioned by the Coterie Theatre and will premiere in 2026. Tosin earned his theatre degree at the University of Kansas, where his proudest accomplishment was founding the “Multicultural Theatre Initiative.” He began his career in Kansas City regional theatre; appearing at the Kansas City Rep Theatre, the Unicorn, Heart of America Shakespeare Festival and his artistic home, the Coterie, where he was Resident Artist for two years. After moving to Chicago, he performed stage roles at the Goodman, Lookingglass, Northlight, Court Theatres and Creede Repertory Theatre. He notably won the “Best Supporting Actor” award from the Black Theatre Alliance for his performance in Victory Gardens Theatres' The Gospel of Lovingkindness.

Denzel Dejournette - Dedicated to the memory of Betty Dejournette, Donald Foster Sr., Calvin Simpson Jr., and Desman Dejournette. You have the best seat in the house...Heaven. Thank you to my parents and family for the unwavering support and coming to every show, and to GBC, my love, thank you for your love, creativity, and support!  www.denzeldejournette.com

Jeb Burris is an Assistant Professor of Movement and Company member of the Clarence Brown Theatre Company. Professionally, Jeb is an Actor, Fight Director, Intimacy Director, Movement Director, and Director who has worked on over 100 professional productions. When not teaching, he is the Director of Movement at American Players Theatre in Spring Green, Wisconsin. His work has been seen around the country in places like Portland Center Stage, Utah Shakespeare Festival, Indiana Repertory Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, American Players Theatre, Sacramento Theatre Company, Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Great Lakes Theatre, and Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Company, to name a few. Jeb holds an M.F.A From Illinois State University and trained with Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre and The Royal Shakespeare Company in the U.K.

McKinley Merritt, a UT Theatre alumnus and Nashville native, is thrilled to join the cast of The Royale! Her favorite roles include Elinor Dashwood in Sense and Sensibility, Victoria in the new Ahrens & Flaherty musical, Knoxville, and Lauren in Kinky Boots, all at the Clarence Brown Theatre. You can often find McKinley interning at a cappella conventions, singing with her 90s cover band, Teen Spirit, and probably laughing too hard at something really silly. Stay healthy, be kind, and, most importantly, enjoy this beautiful show!

Anna Swart is a sophomore at the University of Tennessee, studying Theatre Arts. This is her first professional production, and she could not be more excited to share it with both her fellow cast and the audience.

Will Dorsey IV, a proud native of Flint, Michigan, attended Central Michigan University and is a Knoxville College alumnus. A certified personal trainer and amateur bodybuilder, he operates his own fitness business. Will began his stage career in 2009, performing with Carpetbag Theatre, Clarence Brown Theatre, River & Rail Theatre and The WordPlayers, where he also directs. Represented by Talent Trek Agency, Will works in film, television, commercials, and voiceovers, and serves as drama director at Overcoming Believers Church.

Thomas Nash Tetterton - At the Clarence Brown Theatre Company: Cabaret, and A Christmas Carol. Select Regional Credits: Hamlet, and Much Ado About Nothing (PlayMakers’ Rep); The Caine Mutiny Court Martial (Judson Theatre Co.), The Rainmaker, Silent Sky, and The Life of Galileo (Burning Coal Theater); Romeo & Juliet, and Cymbeline (Virginia Shakespeare Festival); Love’s Labour’s Lost, and A Christmas Carol (Annapolis Shakespeare); Richard III (Sweet Tea Shakespeare); and Inherit the Wind (Compass Rose Theater). TV & Film: Die Hart (Roku.com); and Have A Nice Life (avail. on Amazon). BFA in Acting from Shenandoah Conservatory. MFA in Acting candidate at the Clarence Brown Theatre/University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He sends his love to Galen and their two dogs - Offal & Guapo. www.tntetterton.com. @thomasntetterton