{"id":137167,"date":"2026-01-30T03:41:13","date_gmt":"2026-01-30T03:41:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/137167\/"},"modified":"2026-01-30T03:41:13","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T03:41:13","slug":"here-are-seven-tampa-bay-actors-and-dancers-to-know-in-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/137167\/","title":{"rendered":"Here are seven Tampa Bay actors and dancers to know in 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"AJai Shanae Credit: Courtesy<\/p>\n

A simple but profound Sondheim lyric comes to mind when thinking about the seven actors and dancers interviewed for this issue: \u201cNo one is alone. Truly. No one is alone.\u201d<\/p>\n

Every one of these artists pointed to the help they got along the way.<\/p>\n

Blake High School in Tampa, Gibbs H.S.\/Pinellas County Center for the Arts in St. Pete, Harrison School for the Arts in Lakeland\u2014these institutions have nurtured many of the talents you\u2019ll read about. So have dance studios like the Academy of Ballet Arts and theater companies like the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe.<\/p>\n

Then there\u2019s the good counsel these performers have received from their teachers and mentors, and from their parents, most not artists themselves but still dedicated to supporting their children\u2019s dreams.<\/p>\n

The talent and drive of these seven have played the biggest role in their success. But I was also struck by the fact that so many are driven by their desire to help others.<\/p>\n

They know that, in the arts\u2014in classrooms and rehearsal halls, on stage and off\u2014no one can or should be alone.<\/p>\n

Truly.<\/p>\n

\"AJai Shanae Credit: Courtesy<\/p>\n

From local stages to TV ads to Tammi Terrell, Tampa Bay actor Jai Shanae can do it all<\/a><\/p>\n

\"AAlaina Rahaim Credit: Dave Decker \/ Creative Loafing Tampa Bay<\/p>\n

Alaina Rahaim\u2019s nickname in school was \u2018Sparkles\u2019\u2013and that\u2019s exactly what she does<\/a><\/p>\n

\"AnMackenzie Mclean Credit: Courtesy<\/p>\n

Mackenzie Mclean is a dancer, a teacher\u2014and executive director of the Pinellas Dance Collective<\/a><\/p>\n

\"AAiofa Maki at Dave Decker Photography in Ybor City, Florida on Jan. 12, 2026. Credit: Dave Decker \/ Creative Loafing Tampa Bay<\/p>\n

Pinellas actor Aiofa Maki been hailed as \u2018pure magic\u2019 onstage<\/a><\/p>\n

\"ALance Markeith Felton at Dave Decker Photography in Ybor City, Florida on Jan. 12, 2026. Credit: Dave Decker \/ Creative Loafing Tampa Bay<\/p>\n

Tampa actor Lance Markeith Felton is incapable of making a false move\u2014on stage, at the mic, or in the classroom<\/a><\/p>\n

\"AMax Carley at Dave Decker Photography in Ybor City, Florida on Jan. 12, 2026. Credit: Dave Decker \/ Creative Loafing Tampa Bay<\/p>\n

Tampa actor Max Carley turned his life around and rediscovered theater<\/a><\/p>\n

\"AJustin Brock Credit: Courtesy<\/p>\n

Polk County\u2019s Justin Brock is a powerful mover who\u2019s developing a choreographic style all his own<\/a><\/p>\n

Pitch in to help make the Tampa Bay Journalism Project a success.<\/a><\/p>\n

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This article appears in Jan. 29 \u2013 Feb. 04<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\n\tRelated\n<\/p>\n