Donovan Louis Bazemore

Kevin

DONOVAN LOUIS BAZEMORE (Kevin) Broadway: Disney’s The Lion King (Young Simba). Regional: Disney’s The Lion King (Young Simba) Rafiki Tour, Ragtime (Coalhouse Walker, III), Arden Theatre Company The Snowy Day and Other Stories (Peter), Arden Theatre Company, Rachel (Young Jimmy/Matthew), Quintessence Theatre Group. Workshops: Basement, Illinois; Wonder; Oh, Happy Day! TV/Film: “The Last OG”, “FBI: Most Wanted”, “Survival of The Thickest”, “Dope Thief”, “Sneaks.” Special thanks to David Doan, CESD, and John Mara Jr.

Brian D. Coats

Lewis

BRIAN D. COATS (Lewis). New York credits include Broadway’s tour of August Wilson’s Jitney, (Manhattan Theatre Club); the best we could (A Family Tragedy) (Lincoln Center Theater/LCT3); On the Levee (Working Theater); La Ruta (Pan Asian Rep); The Brothers Paranormal (Ensemble Studio Theatre); Travisville (Classical Theater of Harlem); The Bacchae, The First Noel (The Public Theater); The Merry Wives of Windsor and Two Gentlemen of Verona. Other Regional/Touring credits include productions at The Acting Company, Two River Theater, Mark Taper, Old Globe, Arena Stage, Seattle Rep, Shakespeare and Co, Pittsburgh Public, Huntington, Cincinnati Playhouse, Denver Center, Williamstown Theater Festival, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Geva Theatre, and others. Television credits include “Queens,” “FBI: Most Wanted,” “Luke Cage,” “Boardwalk Empire,” “Law & Order,” “Law & Order: Organized Crime,” “Law & Order: SVU,” “JAG,” “Blue Bloods,” and “The Sopranos.” Coats is a graduate of the University of North Carolina’s School of the Arts. 

Jordan E. Cooper

Keyshawn

JORDAN E. COOPER (Playwright/Keyshawn). Tony Award-nominated actor, playwright, producer, and director Jordan E. Cooper became the youngest Black American playwright in Broadway history with his critically acclaimed play Ain’t No Mo’. The play, also starring Cooper, received six Tony Award nominations and was declared “Broadway's most important new play” by Harper’s Bazaar. Off-Broadway, the production earned Cooper an Obie Award win and a Drama League Award nomination. Cooper also became the youngest showrunner in television history with the multi-Emmy nominated BET+ sitcom “The Ms. Pat Show” which he also co-created and executive produces. Cooper was included in Forbes’ prestigious “30 Under 30” list in 2024 and Vanity Fair’s “The Season’s Brightest (Broadway) Stars” list in 2023. He was featured in FX’s seminal series “Pose” and can currently be seen in the hit feature sequel Freakier Friday. 

Jayna Elise

Understudy

JAYNA ELISE (Understudy). Having performed since age 4, she got her start writing with grammy-award winning band Snarky Puppy. By age 12, she had already starred in the hit Tyler Perry play, Madea's Neighbors from Hell and toured as a KidzBop kid. At age 14, she received the golden buzzer by One Direction's Louis Tomlinson on the hit TV show, America's Got Talent. Her most recent endeavor includes reaching the finals of Season 22 of American Idol and headlining as Tina in the Tina Turner Musical's second national tour. 

Tamika Lawrence

Niecy

TAMIKA LAWRENCE (Niecy). Broadway: The Heart of Rock and Roll; Caroline, Or Change; Gettin’ the Band Back Together; Come From Away; Beautiful; If/Then; Matilda; The Book of Mormon. Off-Broadway: Drag the Musical, Black No More (Drama Desk nomination), Rent, The Tempest, Hercules. Television: “That Damn Michael Che,” “Vinyl,” “Show Me a Hero,” “The Last OG!,” “Blue Bloods,” “Law & Order: SVU.” Movies: Fuck Toys, Mean Girls, Better Nate Than Never, The Greatest Showman, Dear Evan Hansen, White Girl. @iamtamikalawrence. For Maurice.

Tiffany Mann

Holy Divine

TIFFANY MANN (Holy Divine) is best known for standout performances in Encores’ Jelly’s Last Jam and Ragtime, Broadway’s Waitress and Be More Chill, her star-turn as Effie in Dreamgirls (the MUNY), and Jerry Springer: The Opera (Lucille Lortel Award). Television: “Orange is the New Black” and “New Amsterdam.” Her empowering single “Do It Anyway,” is an anthem and declaration to push past your fears and go for your dreams. Proudly one of the Manns, IYKYK.   

Sheléa Melody McDonald

Mighty Divine

SHELÉA MELODY MCDONALD (Mighty Divine) is a singer, songwriter, pianist, producer, and critically acclaimed actress who has received the attention and support of music’s most powerful icons: Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder, Rickey Minor, and David Foster. With years of making a name for herself as a vocal powerhouse, she has performed at the White House, Library of Congress, Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center, The Hollywood Bowl, and The Royal Albert Hall. Merging her musical talent with her new love for acting, she landed her first major role as Dorinda Clark in The Clark Sisters: The First Ladies of Gospel. The Lifetime biopic drew nearly three million viewers in its opening and “was the strongest original movie for all television for 2020 across key demos including both broadcast and cable.” McDonald has enjoyed gracing the stage for several PBS specials, including her very own “Quincy Jones Presents: Sheléa.” Her much-anticipated retro/soul EP entitled “Spirit” will be released this summer, along with a new PBS special Aretha! starring McDonald. 

Latrice Pace

Glory Divine

LATRICE PACE (Glory Divine), hailing from the Gospel music industry, is making her Public Theater debut as Glory Divine in OH HAPPY DAY!. Based in Atlanta, GA, she has excelled in regional theatre for over twenty years. Notable roles include Mother in Passing Strange and Ma Rainey in Gut Bucket Blues. Her regional credits feature Sarah’s Friend in Ragtime, Aunt Em & Glinda in The Wiz, and Celie in The Color Purple. Follow her journey @TheatricalPace. 

Cole Taylor

Understudy

COLE TAYLOR (Understudy) is thrilled to make his Public Theater debut with such an amazing team! Recent credits include Romeo (Romeo and Juliet) at The Folger Theatre in D.C., Alyosha (The Brothers Karamazov) at The Stag & Lion Theater, and a guest star appearance on “FBI: Most Wanted” (CBS). He’d like to thank God, family, friends, SMS, and Stride—all for their belief and Inspiration. Taylor has a BFA from Pace University and an MFA from NYU Grad Acting. 

Kevin Craig West

Understudy

KEVIN CRAIG WEST (Understudy) is excited to  join OH HAPPY DAY! and make his Public Theater debut. Theater: Fat Ham (Virginia Stage), Hymn (Shakespeare & Company), Dracula (Actor’s Theatre), Metamorphoses (Capital Rep), Judevine (Oldcastle Theatre). Film: Don’t Look Up, Spirited, Summer of 69, Finestkind. TV: “Law & Order,” “Law & Order: Organized Crime,” “The Blacklist,” “New Amsterdam,” “Power Book III: Raising Kanan,” “Daredevil: Born Again,” “Black Rabbit.” Kevin thanks his family and friends for their incredible love and support. Proud member AEA, SAG/AFTRA. @KevinCraigWest