Kinky Boots

Wes Williams - Select Credits: Zack Mayo in An Officer and a Gentleman: The Musical (1^st Nat’l), Jack Kelly in Newsies (5 Star Theatricals), Tony in West Side Story (Argyle Theatre), Tully in Escape to Margaritaville (NSMT). Wes was born and raised in South Carolina and grew up exploring the Great Smoky Mountains with his family, so in many ways Knoxville feels like coming home. Thanks to Ken, Rusty, and the entire CBT team as well as Robert, Sean, Rikky, and my incredible circle of family & friends. You change the world when you change your mind.  @wes.williams

Omari is ecstatic to join the cast of Kinky Boots at the Clarence Brown Theatre! Originating from Kansas City, Missouri, Omari attended the University of Central Missouri where he received his BFA in Musical Theatre. Some of his previous credits include: Regional: Angel/Lola in Kinky Boots, Ernst in Spring Awakening, Donkey in Shrek the Musical, Gary Coleman in Avenue Q, and Joseph Asagai in A Raisin in the Sun. Omari is grateful to his friends and family for all their support. 

Selected credits include Laguna Playhouse, Great River Shakespeare Festival, Surflight Theatre, Fiasco Theater, River & Rail, and Clarence Brown Theatre. She is a proud alumni of Fiasco Theater's Conservatory in NYC. Grace is a first-year MFA Acting Graduate Candidate. Special thanks to Rusty! Love you Griff, F&C, and always EGR. For more info, visit graciebelt.com and firsttakeco.com.

McKinley Merritt, a UT theatre alumni and Nashville native, is so excited to be a part of Kinky Boots after returning to the Clarence Brown stage in Trouble in Mind and Hair during the 2022-23 season! Her favorite roles include the ensembles of Kiss Me, Kate, Monty Python’s Spamalot, and Sweeney Todd, as well as Logainne in 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Beeall 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 safe, and, most importantly, enjoy the show!

Denzel has had a unique path to acting. Originally, coming from the world of wrestling. He is a division I All-American wrestler and was a wrestler with the WWE. He is now an MFA Acting candidate here at the University of Tennessee to further the exploration of his passions, and to tell stories of everyday humanities.

Mia Hayes is a second-year undergraduate at UT pursuing her degrees in Theatre and Literature. She is delighted to be in her second main stage production at the Clarence Brown Theatre. Her previous performances include #00 in ACT's production of The Wolves, Fan in the CBT's A Christmas Carol, and Rosie in Mamma Mia. She would like to thank her parents, her sister, and her best friends Logan, Sarah, and Ainslee for their constant support and encouragement. She sincerely hopes you enjoy watching the show half as much as she enjoyed just being in it!

Laura Beth Wells - Broadway: Emily Osborn in Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark (original cast). Regional theatre highlights: Alison Bechdel in Fun Home (River and Rail), Patsy Cline in Always, Patsy Cline (CBT), Annie in In The Next Room; or The Vibrator Play (River and Rail), Christmas Present/Mrs. Fezziwig/Mrs. Dilber in A Christmas Carol (CBT), Heather in Gideon’s Knot (Bridge Street Theatre), Mrs. Walker in The Who’s Tommy (CT Rep), Kafka/The Waitress in All in the Timing (Hangar Theatre). Teaching Artist: UTK, Maryville College, Pellissippi State, Knoxville Children's Theatre, SF Shakespeare Festival, Hangar Theatre, Cornell University, Syracuse University, SUNY Binghamton. LB holds a BA in Theatre from UTK and an MFA in Acting from Kent State University. Love you, Tiny Family, and Sing Out, Louise! For more info, go to www.laurabethwells.com or follow on IG: @thelbwells

David is thrilled to return to the CBT stage in the role of George. He was last seen at CBT as a member of the cast of Candide. Originally from Pittsburgh, PA he has spent the last 20 years mainly as an opera singer, singing at major opera houses such as The Metropolitan Opera, Atlanta Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Boston Lyric Opera, Nashville Opera, Knoxville Opera and many more. He will also be appearing later this spring with the Knoxville Symphony as their Bass Soloist in Verdi’s Requiem. David is currently on Faculty here at UT and serves as the Voice(Singing) teacher for the Theatre department. Love you “Tiny Family” and “Here we Go!”

Henry H. Miller is thrilled to be making his Clarence Brown Theatre debut with Kinky Boots! Recent credits include; NYC Theatre: The Wave (Ensemble), An Evening With Alen Menken (Singer). Cruise Line Entertainment: Carnival Sunrise & Carnival Radiance (Dancer/Singer). Regional: Ordinary Days (Warren), Dames At Sea (Lucky), Crazy For You (Ensemble/Lank US), Camelot (Reveler/Lancelot US), Christmas, My Way (Singer), Lend Me A Tenor (Max US/Bellhop US), Clue: The Musical (Swing). Henry is beyond thankful for all the support from his friends and family. A huge thank you to Avalon Artists Group for their support and guidance! Follow his journey at www.henryhmiller.com and on Instagram @henryhmiller

Wyatt Slone is so excited to be making their Clarence Brown Theatre debut. Wyatt is a New York based dancer and artist, and is so blessed you are here supporting the Arts here in Tennessee. Wyatt’s recent credits include Joe’s Pub, Broadway Bares, and Angel #2 - Kinky Boots (NorthShore Music Theater). Some of his favorite roles include: Raccoon - Cinderella (Theater By The Sea), Albert - Newsies (Surflight Theater), Mark - A Chorus Line (Algonquin Theater). For more information check out @life_as_wyatt or wyattslone.com. Cheers! Go Vols!

Jeremy Swift is ecstatic to return to the factory after finally getting his wings. Having traveled nationally and internationally in productions such as Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Kinky Boots, Hairspray, Tarzan, Rocky Horror Live and Dreamgirls, he is blessed to be on stage once again. Jeremy is immensely grateful to Rusty Mowery, Gotham Talent and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s staff, crew, acting students and creative team.  You Change the World when you change your mind! Love you, Mama @swiftbeats777

This is Bryce Ridley-Williams first time performing with the Clarence Brown Theatre company. Bryce Ridley-Williams has performed all over the world with Norwegian Cruise Lines in their production of Kinky Boots. Other credits include: TV: Beat Bobby Flay Regional: The Lost Colony and Texas Outdoor Musical. Bryce Ridley-Williams can also be seen all over NYC as The Normani of Drag, Bianca Star. Bianca Star (Bryce’s Drag Persona) has performed all over NYC and is excited to make their Clarence Brown Theatre debut in Kinky Boots. Bryce would like to thank his family and chosen family for supporting him. 

J.D. is thrilled to be back on the CBT mainstage! He is currently finishing up his senior year here at UT, majoring in Theatre and History. He would like to thank the director for giving him this amazing opportunity and his parents for their constant support. 

John Cherry is a local actor and director, a 1984 graduate of UT Theatre, and a retired Lieutenant Colonel from the U.S. Air Force. Since 2005, he has volunteered as the Artistic Director for the Primary Players Children's Theatre Group in Blount County. He does have a day job as the Vice President of Community Leadership for Leadership Knoxville. Among his favorite roles: Prof. Harold Hill in The Music Man, Sidney Bruhl in Deathtrap, and Tateh in Ragtime. He lives in Maryville with his wife Melanie. Their daughter Alex works in L.A. for MARVEL Studios...proud papa.

Clay Cooper is so excited to be back on the CBT stage for Kinky Boots!  You might have seen Clay recently in the CBT production of The Giver or as Fezziwig in A Christmas Carol. He holds a B.A in theatre education from Appalachian State University and previous stage credits include: Bright Star! (Jimmy Ray), The Moors (The Mastiff) and The {W}right Sister (Oriville Wright). In his free time he enjoys hiking, cooking and serenading his dog Sophie on guitar. To see what he is working on next follow his instagram @claycooper11.

Sammy Pontello is an MFA Acting Candidate at UT and is thrilled to be joining the Clarence Brown Theatre community. Originally from Central Florida, they spent the previous two seasons working with Florida Studio Theatre touring in TYA around the state, teaching acting and playwrighting, and working as an actor, director, and dramaturg. Prior to FST, Sammy also worked at the Orlando Shakes in New Play Development. Previous CBT: Bob Cratchit, A Christmas Carol; Ensemble, U/S Giver, The Giver. IG: @sjpactor | sammypontello.com

Jackson Ahern is a junior majoring in Theatre. His last role was The Mastiff in Clarence Brown Lab Theater’s The Moors.  You may have seen him play Gaston in Tennessee Valley Players Beauty and the Beast. His first Clarence Brown appearance was as Chuck in She Kills Monsters. He is excited for what the future brings. He would like to thank his many mentors in life that have brought him to be who he is today.

Gray Lancaster (all pronouns) is a disabled theatre practitioner, musician, and artist. Suffering from Stiff Person Syndrome, Gray is an advocate for accessibility for and representation of disability in the arts. Prior to their diagnosis, Gray was a choreographer and dance captain for shows like Pippin, Grease, Beehive, and others. They look forward to showcasing how performers of all abilities can still do incredible choreography—even in a wheelchair! Past credits include: Ado Annie (Oklahoma), Brooke Wyndham (Legally Blonde), Martha Jefferson (1776), and Cosette (Les Miserables), among others. Gray would like to thank their spouse, family, friends, and the entire creative team of Kinky Boots for their support and encouragement throughout this process. Learn more about Gray—LittleGraySea.com  

Winifred Jones is a junior Vocal Music major and Theatre minor. She is thrilled to be making her debut on the Clarence Brown stage as Maggie. From the bubbly and determined Elle Woods in Legally Blonde, to the delightfully dark and mysterious Morticia in The Addams Family, Winnie makes it her goal to learn more with each role she plays, and has delighted in doing that throughout the Kinky Boots rehearsal process. She is excited to be opening new doors everyday with new roles, new experiences, and new friends.

Presley is ecstatic to be a part of this production to conclude her time as an undergraduate here at the University of Tennessee. The Clarence Brown has been an extremely influential part of her life beginning with her role as Bloody Mary’s Assistant in South Pacific (2016), Young Violet in Violet (2016), Leata in Hair (2023), and most recently Madeline in A Christmas Carol (2023). In the last three years, Presley has appeared in three feature films, I'll Be Watching (2021) , Walden (2022), and Degenerate, coming to theaters later this year. Her most heartfelt thanks to her family, friends, and the faculty and staff of the CBT over the years for their guidance, care, and support in pursuing acting in NYC post-graduation!

Bleu Copas is finally making his CBT stage debut after playing hard in many other performance spaces. Selected highlights include Ragtime and Children of Eden at Cape Fear Regional Theatre, multiple musicals at Oak Ridge Playhouse, WordPlayers, Maryville College and Encore Theatrical Company. Bleu’s passion for social advocacy fuels his work with the LGBTQ-focused Appalachian Equality Chorus, his work with military Veterans daily and creating safe community for the voiceless. In the spirit of Kinky Boots, “…if your glitter rusts, let me raise you up…JUST BE!” Much gratitude to Ricky, his AEC fam, and anyone else who believed in him.

Joseph Coram is the son of Melissa and Jeremiah Coram and is a Junior here at the University of Tennessee. This will be his third performance at the Clarence Brown Theatre. You may have seen him most recently in the CBT’s production of A Christmas Carol, where he had the honor and joy of bringing the character Fred to life. He is enjoying his Junior year at UT and is working very hard in both the Performing world as well as the Lighting Design world. Most recently, he worked with his lighting mentor and designed three separate dance pieces for the BOSS Dance Company’s spring showcase right here at UT. He would like to thank his parents and little sister for supporting him and pushing him to be the best that he can be, Coke Morgan for being an amazing vocal coach, Elizabeth Williams for being a fabulous instructor and director, Travis Gaboda for putting up with his antics for three years now and teaching him everything he knows about Lighting, and Dennis Perkins for being his acting and directing mentor for many years.

Abigail McCarter is a junior in the UT Theatre and Psychology Department. She was most recently seen in The Moors as The Moor-hen and was also in past productions of Men on Boats and Blood at the Root while she’s been at Clarence Brown Theatre. She is thrilled and so thankful to be a part of such an amazing show! She would like to extend special thanks to Rusty Mowery and her friends and family who have supported her.

Chip is a Chattanooga native, and graduate of UT. Prior Clarence Brown work includes Sweeney Todd, A Christmas Carol, Man of La Mancha, and as John Hinckley in Assassins. He was most recently featured in the Tennessee Stage Company's New Play festival, and Theatre Knoxville Downtown's Night of the Living Dead Live as Chief McClelland. It's good to be home.

Brooke Premo is thrilled to be a part of the cast of Kinky Boots! Previous stage productions include Donna (Mamma Mia!), Joanne (Rent), Chloe (Be More Chill), and Dot (Sunday in the Park with George). Brooke would like to thank the brilliant cast, crew, and Rusty for making this an astonishing experience. Also, to her friends and family for their love and support.