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MDT alumni Dayne Joyner says “So Long, Farewell” before setting off for Singapore

Dayne Joyner.jpeg

For the next year, MDT graduate of 2019 Dayne Joyner will be performing in the international tour of Sound of Music– appearing as Franz, male ensemble, and understudying the role of Uncle Max. Beginning in Singapore, the largely Asia-based tour also plans to perform in Malaysia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and mainland China.

Reflecting on his time at BYU, Dayne recounts, “I'm grateful that I was able to study performance in an educational setting. I feel like my overall education really set me up for success post-graduation, and really just gave me all the tools and skills that I need to be successful so that I could go forward and try and find my way…I really value my education within MDT, and I'm really grateful for it. It's done a lot for me.”

And Dayne has done a lot for TMA, working as the BFA Program Coordinator. Professor Timothy Threlfall expresses his thanks for all Dayne has offered the department, “As expected, Dayne has done an incredible job and replacing him will be nearly impossible. However, we are all delighted with his booking an international tour. We knew this day would come when Dayne’s performance prowess would take him away from us. We just did not expect it to be so soon! Bon voyage Dayne. We will all miss you tremendously.”

Dayne’s road to touring internationally actually began with his childhood in Georgia. “Growing up, my only experiences with high-quality professional theater were with touring productions that would come to Atlanta. My parents always took me to see them, and actually I saw a touring production of Sound of Music when it came through. I'm just looking forward to giving back in a way that I can go around to these different places where people may not have easily accessible, high-quality Broadway shows, and to be able to affect them and inspire and encourage them like it was for me.” Those national tours sparked a passion in Dayne that led him full circle to be able to share that same inspiration internationally. Following the BYU directive “Enter to Learn, Go Forth to Serve,” Dayne anticipates bringing Broadway to those who live out of its reach.

In his parting advice to TMA students, Dayne echoes the guidance of the Mother Abbess to Maria to “Climb every mountain, ford every stream, follow every rainbow, til you find your dream.” Dayne encourages students, “Even when you feel hopeless and like you're not going to make it or achieve your dreams, you just really have to push through it. And I think hard work and persistence is really what's gonna get you somewhere. In this industry being successful is really the long game, and I believe that there's a place for everybody. It's just finding where you fit and working as hard as you can and being persistent.”

As Dayne leaves to pursue his dreams, the TMA department wishes him a “So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, goodbye.” Although we are sad to see him go, we are proud to be represented by Dayne Joyner and can’t wait to see where this next adventure takes him!