When the Historic Palace Theatre in Lockport, N.Y., presented “Kinky Boots,” two recent Niagara University Theatre alumni had the leading roles.
The musical, which tells the story of an unexpected partnership between shoe factory owner Charlie Price and drag performer Lola to create high-heeled boots for men, featured Grand Island native Hayden Carr, ’25, as Charlie, and Jamarion Evans, ’25, a Hammond, Ind., native, as Lola, which they called their “dream role!” It was the first professional show since graduation for both actors.
“I was gunning for the role of Charlie the entire time, and it was so cool that the creative team saw me in their vision of the show,” Carr said.
The friendship between the two actors, and their strong vocal performances, made them the ideal choices to lead the production, which was on stage July 10-20, 2025.
“Jamarion and my chemistry is already so developed since we’ve spent so much time in our four years together,” Carr said. “They are such a close friend, and we work so well together.”
Carr and Evans, who plan to move to New York City together after the summer, credit the theatre program with preparing them for these roles and their future in the profession.
“I’m incredibly thankful for the NU theatre department for helping me get to this point,” said Carr.
“It feels amazing when you walk across the stage and immediately walk into your dream career,” Evans added.
