Koray
Tarhan
ACTOR/MUSICIAN
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BIO
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Born and raised in Los Angeles, Turkish-American actor and musician Koray Tarhan is now based in Chicago, Illinois and continues to perform around the country. His theatre credits span six major cities and showcase his versatility as a performer. He is a member of EMC and SAG-AFTRA, and is represented by DDO Chicago.
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He can currently be seen as Davey in Paramount Theatre's production of the Disney musical Newsies, in his debut at Paramount, and performing with the Four C Notes as Frankie Valli.
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Koray recently returned to Chicago in 2017, where he completed his training at Columbia College, and since has been cast as the title role in Mercury Theater's Pippin (2018), Porchlight Music Theatre's They're Playing Our Song (Ensemble, 2018), Drury Lane's Seussical (Wickersham Brother 1, Ensemble, 2018), and Porchlight's Memphis (Perry Como, 2018).
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Koray recently completed his work with Cincinnati's Playhouse in the Park as part of the highly selective Bruce E. Coyle Internship Program (2016-17). During his time in Cincinnati, he performed in the Playhouse's mainstage productions of A Prayer for Owen Meany (Buzzy, the Angel of Death), A Christmas Carol (Dick Wilkins), and Jane Eyre (ensemble), and also performed in a 6-week tour of Around the World in 80 Days (Fix of the Yard).
Koray received his Bachelor's in Musical Theatre Performance in 2013 from Columbia College in Chicago, under the direction of Ashton Byrum, Sheldon Patinkin, and Bill Williams. From 2009 to 2013, Koray performed in many theatre productions, including his roles in He Who Got Slapped (Thomas), Songs for a New World (Ensemble, Tenor), The Water Engine (Bernie), Happy End (Bill), Floyd Collins (Balladeer), Rent (Roger), the Slate Theatre's production of Assassins! (Giuseppe Zangara).
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In the Los Angeles area from 2014-2015, Koray played major roles in Cabaret (Emcee, Lewis Family Playhouse), Pump Boys and Dinettes (Jackson, Buena Park Theatre), Jesus Christ Superstar (Simon, Lewis Family Playhouse), and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Chip Tolentino, Candlelight Pavilion). Of his performance in Spelling Bee, Stage Scene LA wrote: "Tarhan’s Chip is preteen testosterone and spunk personified, the charismatic newcomer winning deserved cheers for his “Unfortunate Erection."
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Koray's film credits include Couch Sessions, a web series in which he played the lead (Dave), and appeared in a commercial as "Hero/Man" for South Bay Hyundai by Time Warner Cable.
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In addition to his theatre and film credits, Koray has training in gymnastics, acrobatics, tumbling, musical theatre jazz/tap dance, stage combat (hand-to-hand, short sword), boxing, basketball, and juggling. He is also a certified personal trainer (NCSF/NCCPT) who has worked with FFC Chicago, 24 Hour Fitness, and the YMCA. His musical skills include guitar (intermediate, 8 years), piano (basic, 4 years), vocal training (pop/rock and MT), and ability to read music. Dialects include RP, Cockney, Irish, Southern (US), Italian, German, Middle Eastern (Iran/Turkey), Indian, and Mid-Atlantic. Other special skills are animal/character noises (Mickey Mouse, Kermit, Monkey, Peacock); International Thespian Teaching Artists, Improv Skills (long and short form), and race car driving certification (Skip Barber Racing School).
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REFERENCES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST – LAST UPDATE 10.2018