Meet the Team

Hermon Whaley Jr. (Founder/Co-Artistic director of Thorn & Petal)

He is an actor/drag queen born and raised in the bright, beautifully humid Columbia, South Carolina!! He considers himself a flower-child, a son of Hermon Whaley Sr. and his late mother Rose Mary Whaley. As a product of love he dedicates his artistry to spreading love and joy, living on the motto, “I don’t have to know you to love you!” He is inspired by gender roles and exploring its fluidity and gravitated to art that shows the current condition of the world and encourages change. His off-Broadway credits include The Public Theatre's Aint No Mo (Peaches Standby) and Romeo and Juliet (Tybalt). Regional credits include D.C.’s Shakespeare Theater Company The Tempest (Ensemble) and The Taming of the Shrew (Understudy). He has also appeared in Mud, River, Stone (Joaquim). He is a graduate of the BFA Acting Program at SUNY Purchase College.

Nikki khouri (Founder/Co-Artistic director of Thorn & Petal)

She is an actor/writer/director/clown who was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. Her love of performance comes from her rich family history, and she strives to continue the legacy. She loves bringing out the imaginative, child-like play out is those around her! Nikki is a teaching artist with Classic Stage Company & Manhattan Youth and was featured in USA Today as a leader of her community. Her stage credits include Five Women Wearing The Same Dress (Frances/Ruby Theatre-Los Angeles), A Doll’s House (Mrs. Linde/Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Titania/Canyons PAC), & LadyFest (The Tank). She also appeared in Romeo and Juliet (Nurse). Commercial credits include: Kroger (ScaryMommy). Film/Web Credits include: A Bad Date in Beacon, Laura, Sylvie and Cal, & The Tales of Toverud. She is a graduate of the BFA Acting Program at SUNY Purchase College.