"Soak everything, watch, learn absorb it all." Chatting with Dewayne Barrett!

I think in any industry or in walks of life it is beyond impossible to find a person who no one has a negative thing to say about. With Dewayne Barrett that is beyond true and then some. Dewayne will be starring in A Chorus Line at O'Connelle and Company where he also serves as the Director and Choreographer for the show. He has performed leading roles around the country such as Rum Tum Tugger in Cats, Bobby Child in Crazy For You, Riff in West Side Story, Bobby in A Chorus Line to name a few. He has directed and choreographed for national tours, regional theatres, dinner theaters, community theatres, cruise ships, movies, high schools, music videos, parades, and dance companies. He now resides in Florida.

Dewayne has also directed and choreographed in Beijing, China to teach at The Central Academy of Drama. He also premiered EDM Antigone the Rock Opera with Don Fox in Wenatchee, Washington. To say that it is an honor to feature such a seasoned artist is a true understatement! I am so happy to feature Mr. Barrett!

How old were you when you knew you wanted a career in the performing arts? 

I always knew I wanted to have a career in the performing arts even at the age of 5 when I was on the TV Show Romper Room. I do actually remember being on set at 5 years of age. I started dancing when I was young and in high school discovered acting/musical theatre. 

Where did you study? Are there any mentors who helped shape you into the amazing and inspiring artist you are today? 

I studied acting, singing, and dancing in my hometown of Cartersville, Georgia. At the age of 14 I had my first professional experience in the Play Inherit the Wind, in which I played Howard Blair. After that my next show was my first musical Oklahoma! I went to Jacksonville State University and Kennesaw State College. While I attended College I was dancing professionally with the Georgia Ballet company and the Atlanta Jazz Theatre. Some Mentors that helped shape my career were Carol Brown and Christy McAfee Hill, high school Drama teachers, Iris Hensley, my ballet Teacher, Morag Veljkovic, Director/Choreographer for Luxury World Cruise Lines, and  Bob Turoff, Director.

After college, I moved to NYC where I had a vocal coach and acting teacher from Stella Adler Conservatory. I was also on Scholarship at the world-known Steps on Broadway!

Congratulations on A Chorus Line. What a thrill it must be to star and direct such a timeless stage classic.

A Chorus line is one of my all-time favorites and it was my first musical that I saw in high school and again that show sealed the deal for me and I made a promise to myself I was gonna do that show one day. I have done over 10 different productions of A Chorus Line and I am very excited that I am getting to visit this classic again. It opens on October 15 at O'Connell & Company in Buffalo, NY, Even more special is the Show's Creator/Director/Choreographer, Michael Bennett is from Buffalo. 

You have worked all over the world. Are there any shows, performances or moments in your wonderful career that sticks out and are near and dear to your heart? 

I have been blessed with being able to play lots of great roles and also direct and choreograph all over the world, but if I had to pick one or two I would have to say playing Don Lockwood in Singing in the Rain and Directing/Choreographing Billy Elliot the Musical. I loved getting rained on every performance and following in the footsteps of one of my idols, Gene Kelly. I first saw Billy Elliot in London and told myself, I would do that show one day and I did. 

 What advice would you give any young aspiring artist? 

I know it sounds cliche, but follow your dreams and never give up. I knew very young this is what I wanted to do and I set goals and stuck to my path and dreams. All my dreams have come true and I am still reaching for more dreams. Never stop reaching for the Stars. Also, always continue your training and working on shows, soak in everything, watch, learn to absorb it all. Even if someone is not working with you in particular on a song or a dance or a scene, watch it, learn from it. 

A Chorus Line at O'Connelle and Company opens on October 15th and runs through October 31st. For more information please visit - https://www.oconnellandcompany.com/shows