Drama alumnus Wes Day’s final bow with the Blue Man Group

School of Drama alumnus Wes Day (B.F.A. '97) took his final bow with the Blue Man Group on Feb. 2, 2025, after 27 years, marking the end of an extraordinary journey with one of the most iconic performance companies in history.

Born in Houston, Texas, and raised in Katy and later Colorado, Day developed an early love for music and sports. When a broken leg in middle school prevented him from playing, Day discovered the drums; soon, he was playing in a jazz band and auditioning for “Oklahoma.” After moving to Tennessee in high school, Day’s passion for performing only grew, and he joined the competitive theater program at Germantown High School — the same high school as UNCSA graduates Chris Parnell and Missi Pyle.

Wes Day / Photo courtesy of Wes Day

After attending a UNCSA Drama summer program, Day was accepted into the School of Drama’s college program. “When I got involved in theater, I just never really looked back at sports,” Day recalls. “I really became a theater nerd.”

Day’s time at UNCSA was transformative. He focused on theater and honed his skills over his four years in Winston-Salem, preparing for life in the industry. Just before graduating in 1997, Day auditioned for the Blue Man Group, after hearing they were seeking a drummer. His B.F.A. in Acting gave him an edge. “I felt like I had an unfair advantage,” he says. “There were so many tools and techniques to draw upon. And they worked!”

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Day moved to New York right after graduation and began performing with the Blue Man Group one month later. He joined the cast of the off-Broadway show in 1997, which had premiered at the Astor Place Theater in 1991. Over the years, Day performed five to six shows a week and even went on a world tour — he remembers one show in Brazil, where the audience chanted for an encore like they were at a soccer game.

When the pandemic hit, Day, like many theater artists, faced significant challenges as live performances ceased. He briefly pivoted to selling cars but soon found himself missing the creative energy of the theater. The solution? He turned to his art. In his home studio, he began creating spin art, setting a goal to produce 70 pieces for a gallery exhibition. He also became certified in Bob Ross’ painting techniques, which allowed him to refine his landscape skills, and even led him to teaching classes.

Wes Day and painting students standing together with their landscape paintings.

Wes Day stands with his painting students after a class / Photo courtesy of Wes Day

Live theatre eventually resumed, as did Day’s role with the Blue Man Group. He was back in blue, and even got to share the stage with another Drama alumnus, Carl Bryant (B.F.A. '18) — only the fifth Black man to perform in the Blue Man Group and the first to perform in China in 2024.

But the show’s owners had a difficult announcement: the show would close in February 2025. “I rode the Blue Man wave as long as someone possibly could,” Day says. After 27 years, his final performance on Feb. 2 was emotional, and the audience was full of friends, family, and colleagues. As the cast member responsible for bringing audience volunteers on stage, Day’s found himself eye-to-eye with an audience full of longtime supporters and admirers.

“It’s both difficult and sad to say goodbye to a company that has been so good to me for so many years, but I’m excited to find out what else the future holds,” he says. “I’ve learned to ‘never say never’ in show business.” Day is staying in New York, focusing on painting and auditioning for new performance opportunities.

Wes Day painted blue standing next to Jimmy Falon and drinking coffee.

Wes Day backstage with Jimmy Fallon / Photo courtesy of Wes Day

Day credits his time at UNCSA for shaping his artistic journey. “It's like building a house, one layer at a time,” he explains. “By your fourth year, you’ve really built something strong, but only if you stay open to learning and embrace the beginner mindset.”

His advice for students? “Keep going! Don’t let one audition throw you off course.”

Day is grateful to his parents for their unwavering support and for encouraging him to pursue his dreams, regardless of where they led. He recalls them telling him, “If you’re happy putting pickles in a jar, then we’re happy.”

By Rebecca Burkeen

March 04, 2025