Broadway BUZZ

Lavel Schley is a breakout talent whose authenticity and range have made a strong impression across theatre, television, and film. He starred as Officer Andre Bentley in CBS’s East New York, a rookie cop whose vulnerability and determination provided a fresh perspective in the precinct drama. Schley’s nuanced performance gave depth to a character navigating both the challenges of policing and the search for personal identity, earning him recognition as one of the show’s standout newcomers. Additionally, he starred and recurred in Freeform’s Grown-ish. On the big screen, he made his feature film debut in Marc Forster’s A Man Called Otto, portraying ‘Young Reuben’ opposite Tom Hanks. Schley’s warm, grounded portrayal in the film’s flashbacks showcased his ability to bring sincerity and heart to emotionally resonant stories. On stage, he was part of the ensemble cast in Chicken Stories that played in both Los Angeles and Atlanta and won Best Production at the Atlanta Black Theatre Festival. Most recently, he was in the Justin S. Cimino directed off-broadway run of Bobbie Clearly and Macbeth at Court Square Theater this year.