By Michael P Coleman
DeJuan Thompson is one of the impressive cast that just presented The Wizard Of Oz at the Gallo Center For The Arts in Modesto. Even from where I was perched near the back of the theatre, Thompson’s seemingly boundless energy and charisma, along with his million dollar smile, lit the place up. Watching him singing and dancing onstage, I wondered whether we were watching the next Savion Glover or Sammy Davis Jr.
Thompson earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts In Musical Theatre from Coastal Carolina University in 2016. Fewer than a handful of years out a college, he is masterfully playing multiple roles on the current Oz tour. When The Mayor of Munchkin City and a Crow threaten to steal the show from Dorothy and Toto, you know a star is born!
As it turns out, the 25 year old wunderkind has a history with The Wizard Of Oz, having made his stage debut playing The Tin Man in his elementary school’s production.
“It was bizarre when I found out that I’d booked this tour,” Thompson said during our EXCLUSIVE interview. “I started with Oz in grade school, and in college, my first regional production was The Wiz. I really can’t get out of Oz!”
For MPC’s full article, visit http://www.sacculturalhub.com/item/12147-hub-artist-profile-actor-singer-dancer-dejuan-thompson
Connect with DeJuan Thompson at http://www.dejuanthompson.com/
Connect with freelancer writer Michael P Coleman at michaelpcoleman.com or follow him on Twitter: @ColemanMichaelP.
