Clay Thomson was born and raised in a small town near Rochester, NY. He started out as a competitive gymnast at the age of four, which eventually led him into the performing arts. At age twelve, Clay joined the Cameron Mackintosh/NETworks tour of Oliver! as the Child Swing. His time on the road inspired him to become a triple-threat performer and actively pursue a career in the arts. This drive has led him to many fantastic opportunities.
After Clay completed his freshman year at Pennsylvania State University studying Musical Theatre, he was offered the chance of a lifetime; to perform a principal role in one of his favorite musicals. Clay toured the U.S, Canada, and Japan with the Broadway First National Tour of West Side Story as A-rab. Soon after returning from tour, he made his Broadway debut in Newsies the Musical, playing Spot Conlon! After that, he was cast in the Original Broadway Cast of Matilda The Musical!
In 2014, Clay left Matilda to perform in New York City Center Encores' productions of Little Me and The Most Happy Fella. After his Encores productions, Clay returned to Newsies for a few short months to cover his aforementioned role of Spot Conlon. Clay has also made numerous television appearances, performing on shows such as Dancing with the Stars, The 2013 TONY Awards, The 2012 and 2013 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, The Late Show with David Letterman, The View, Good Morning America, Good Afternoon America, and more.
Clay has taught master classes around the U.S, including classes at Broadway Dance Center, Broadway Artists Alliance NYC, Camp Broadway, Broadway Workshop, Broadway Classroom, and dozens of High Schools, dance studios and Universities all around the country. He looks forward to future opportunities to inspire others through the arts.
You can check Clay out in last year's viral YouTube video #CupsTapDance as well as his most recent appearance in The Happy Tap Dance #TAPPY, and you can learn more about him by visiting his website at www.ClayThomson.com.
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