About Me
Hello there, my name is Leon! I am originally from Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina but have since made the big move to New York! Crazy right? I am a recent graduate of Western Carolina University where I have received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre. While in college, I had the privilege of exploring many different types of this art form that I never expected to experience. From performing in my first Shakespeare play as "Malvolio" in WCU's production of Twelfth Night, to getting cast in my first film as "Paul" in The Passion of the Chad, to Stage Managing WCU's first "post COVID" production of The Foreigner, and helping to pioneer the revival of the Black Theatre Ensemble, a student run organization that promotes diversity and inclusion in the arts at Western Carolina. All of these opportunities and many more have really helped to shape me into the person and performer I am today!
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When I'm not at rehearsal or at work, you can find me, breaking down riffs, drinking a glass of grape juice, watching reality TV, or chatting with the lifelong friends I have made on this wild ride that we call life.
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Snuff That Girl
Leon Ray - Tiana's Place Reel
Donkey Performance Reel
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What's New
After crossing off one bucket list item, I got the opportunity to cross another. I helped to pioneer the reimagined North American Tour of Shrek the Musical as Pig 1 while understudying the role of Donkey. Being in the room with Broadway's best duo, Jeanine Tesori and David Lindsay-Abaire, to restructure one of my favorite shows, was truly life-changing and an experience that I will never forget.
After a couple of months of living in New York City, I was presented with the opportunity to mark off one of my biggest bucket list items. I began singing Jazz standards and Disney classics in Tiana's Place onboard the Disney Wonder accompanied by two amazing musicians, Louis the Alligator and Princess Tiana herself! While on the ship, I was able to meet so many astonishing performers and have seen breathtaking places that I would have never seen otherwise. Now we wait to see what comes next...
Post-college I did not think I would be returning to a stage management team, especially on a professional level. This project is very near to my heart as I was able to dust off the SM kit and work with some amazing performers and director, who in a single week took a complex script and intricate characters and made an unforgettable experience for both the audience and myself. I cannot wait to see what is next for this incredible new work!
Soon after Shrek closed, I began easing on down the road in the 50th Anniversary Tour of The Wiz. Being a part of this production has taught me much more about both performing and myself than I could ever explain. From covering seven ensemble tracks while also understudying Lion AND Scarecrow, to somehow being onstage eight (and sometimes nine) shows a week in this high-intensity and energetic piece. I can truly say that The Wiz has been the hardest and somehow the most rewarding thing that I have ever been a part of.
