Meet Davayun Chase | Actor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Davayun Chase and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Davayun, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I started getting into acting back in mid 2018 doing some background (extra) work for local films to get a feel of how it is to be on camera and just overall being on set of a media production after watching so many movies from action, drama etc.. and how fun it looks to be apart of a film. I started taking acting more seriously in early 2019, taking acting classes at Stage west and Fort Worth Actor’s studio both located in Fort Worth, TX. They both taught me a variety of techniques starting with the foundation of acting leading up to doing mini showcases showing of my growth as an actor. I was blessed enough to get as much training to put me in the position of being on screen with dialogue in the beginning of 2020 landing lead and supporting roles in over 10 films and i have been working consistently since then. I took a step back from film at the end of 2022 to give theatre a try, doing stage readings at Amphibian and I also did a little 10 minute play called Interview With a Vampire at Sundown Theatre located in Denton, TX for the first time without reading from a script. Coming to the beginning of 2023 I started looking for full length plays that I could do locally in Fort Worth. I started attending auditions at Jubilee Theatre and after one particular audition a director by the name of Dr. Wambui Richardson asked me to audition for a play called The Mountain Top happening at Circle Thearte. It safe to say that I was casted as a lead playing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in a full on production play that was 4 weeks long with a runtime of approx 1 hour and 30 min. Since then I have done two different theatre productions located in Cleburne, TX (Plaza Theatre/The Count Of Monte Cristo) and Granbury, TX (Granbury Opera House/And Then There Were None) and I plan to continue to do both theatre and film as long as I live.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I would like to think i’m in my own lane in the artistic world. I like to come up with ways to stay productive and making myself more marketable by creating original skits, scene recreations from popular movies/ TV shows etc.. while i’m not working on a film or doing theatre work. My goal is to stay booked and busy while working my 9 to 5. It’s not easy especially when you don’t have a consistent schedule but I manage with what I can do and I also have AMAZING colleagues who supports me to make sure it’s possible. I’ve learned that this career is not for the weak.. there will be ups and downs such as schedule conflicts, show cancellations, script changes, vocal rest etc… but that’s beauty of being an artists. I want the world to know that I’m very diverse in my art and I love being able to show the growth in each character I play as well as each song I sing and how I make it my own.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If someone from out of town were coming to Fort Worth, I would take them to Downtown Fort Worth. It’s truly my favorite place to visit and I never get tired of it. My main go-to spot would have to be The Fort Worth Water Gardens. It’s never a dull moment where I won’t find myself there.. I find it very peaceful to study or just relax. There are plenty of choices to choose from to grab, for something savory or sweet! my favorite place to eat savory food in Downtown is Razzoo’s (Cajun restaurant) even-though it’s considered a North America restaurant only, I think there should be additional locations worldwide! and my favorite thing to eat their would be the rat toes and Jalapeño catfish, thank me later you won’t regret it. For something sweet, you can stop by MELT for a variety of delicious ice cream flavors, my favorite flavor I like to get would be the classic strawberry and sweet cream. The texture of their ice cream is TOP TIER. I like to grab drinks at the Library bar sometimes, they also have a nice mini arcade, Karaoke, and pool tables to enjoy. For amazing live local Theatre shows: Circle Theatre, Jubilee, Stage West and Amphibian Stage puts on high quality productions and many well-known adaptions.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First and foremost I would like to thank God for blessing me with my gifts. I try to use them on daily basis so they won’t go to waste. I would also like to shout all the theatre/acting classes (Stage West and Fort Worth Actors Studio) and my vocal coach at Heavenly Sounds Piano and Voice Studio for shaping me to the Artist I am today. Additionally I would like to shout out my mom and sister for opening me to the theatre world. I watched my mom growing up performing in original church stage plays and my sister who opened me up even more performing at Texas Wesleyan. I’ve read a few memoirs from some of my favorite actors Viola Davis and Will Smith that helped me process the artistic world a bit more and well as The Actor’s life by Jenna Fischer and several youtube/podcast channels with good tips and knowledgeable insights on how to grow as an actor. A big thank you to my friends and family who push me to keep going for more!

Website: msha.ke/davayun

Instagram: Davayun

Linkedin: Davayun chase

Facebook: Davayun Chase

Youtube: www.youtube.com/@davayun

Image Credits
– Darian Hadley – Taylor Staniforth – Hannah Beth Midkiff – Michael Hill – Drew Schwemer