By Kiara Doyal, The Seattle Medium
Brian “Mr. Taptastic” Davis never imagined a future in musical theatre. Today, Davis is an award-winning actor, singer, dancer, and storyteller with notable Broadway credits. His journey began in local schools and church fundraisers, eventually taking him across the country and onto stages around the world.
A Seattle native, Davis attended Bryant and T.T. Minor Elementary Schools, where an early introduction to tap dance set the stage for his artistic journey. One of the most influential figures during that time was Dr. Smith, the first woman of color with a doctorate in the arts he had ever met. Her example showed him that higher education through the arts was not just possible—it was within reach.
“There was a woman named Dr. Smith, and she was the first woman of color with her doctorate in arts that I had met, and she introduced me to the possibility of higher learning through the arts,” said Davis. “I did a lot of fundraising at churches to pay for tap dance lessons and things of that nature, and that is where I also got my singing ability, singing in the choir.”
For Davis, Dr. Smith was more than a teacher—she was a mentor. She guided him for years, offering not just instruction but opportunity. Her belief in him extended beyond the studio, pushing him to grow through performance and discipline.
“She saw something in me, and she saw a certain energy. Dr. Smith also helped me to be able to travel,” said Davis. “She said that if I were to work hard and learn my routines, I would be able to travel with her and her performing arts tap dance company. So, then my mother and I hit the streets with a plywood board and a bucket, and I would tap dance on the corner.”
Those grassroots performances became a regular part of his life. Davis danced publicly to help raise funds for lessons, costumes, and travel opportunities. Every dollar counted toward unlocking a world beyond the one he saw daily.
“There were plenty of moments where performing on the sidewalk felt just as important as being on stage,” said Davis. “We had to hustle. And that hustle taught me how to work, how to practice, and how to believe in something bigger.”
Growing up in Seattle’s Central District, Davis was surrounded by a strong sense of community—but also a limited sense of possibility. Without consistent access to resources or exposure, the future could feel uncertain. That began to shift when he enrolled at University Prep, a private school that recognized his talent and helped him imagine a different path.
“University Prep was very supportive of me being a tap dancer and gave me the motivation and helped me audition at three different schools, and that is how I ended up going to Philadelphia to study modern dance as a major, and musical theatre as a minor,” said Davis.
At the time, musical theatre was not part of his plan. His heart was set on dance, and he hadn’t yet considered a career that included singing or acting.
“Musical theatre was never on my radar, and not something I thought about until the 8th grade, when I was voted most likely to be on Broadway,” said Davis.
As his training deepened, so did his awareness that focusing on one form of expression wasn’t enough.
“I realized that I was not using all of my skills, so I started going into other training camps like the Broadway theatre project and stuff like that, getting more into musical theatre,” said Davis.
That expansion helped him find his voice as a complete performer—someone who could move, sing, speak, and create. Over time, his work evolved beyond the stage.
“I am the producer of the Philly tap fest, and this is our second year. I have a small production company called the Taptastic Network LLC, and I also get subcontracted through that LLC to do shows on cruise ships and corporate shows,” said Davis.
Davis took control of his career early, building an infrastructure around his artistry. For him, independence was not only a survival skill—it was a philosophy.
“There is so much that I’m able to do just because I learned to be self-sufficient at a young age,” said Davis. “It is pretty cool to say that I am the master of my own destiny because who would have thought that with tap dancing, singing, and the performing arts I would be here.”
His story is more than a career path—it’s a blueprint for resilience. Each tap routine, choir solo, sidewalk fundraiser, and scholarship audition was a step toward a future no one else could see but him. The work was personal, and the purpose was clear.
“It is pretty cool to say that I am the master of my own destiny because who would have thought that with tap dancing, singing, and the performing arts I would be here,” said Davis.
