Note: Joaquín Mondino will be appearing as Billy in Billy Elliot the Musical (BETM) in Buenos Aires, Argentina, presented by Teatro Ópera, from May 27 to June 7, 2026.
Debut: May 27, 2026 (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
Total Performances as Billy to Date: 0 (As of 30-Apr-2026)
Joaquín Mondino Formichelli was 13 years old when he debuted as Billy and hails from Santa Fe, Argentina, where he attends school at Colegio Nuestra Senora del Calvario school (Our Lady of Calvary). Joaquín says he does well in school. His 10 year old brother, Manuel, has also been cast in the musical as Small Boy. Besides performing, Joaquín says he likes to listen to Imagine Dragons and really likes Shakira.
As an indication of how much Joaquín values the opportunity to play Billy in BETM, his hometown is a five hour drive from Buenos Aires. During rehearsals, Joaquín would travel mid-week to Buenos Aires. He received a special school permission to miss class on Thursdays and Fridays. Relates Joaquín: “I have to (be at the theatre) every Wednesday in the early morning. My mom and I take a bus and get (to the theatre) around six-thirty, and then we stay until Sunday.”
Joaquín began to dance at the age of four, receiving formal instruction in both classical and contempory dance at age six. He has received instruction from both the Trobada School of Dance & HAM Espacio, both located in Santa Fe. Additional training in the arts has been received from Ricalfonso Arce, Chola Almirón, Broadway Stars Santa Fe, Kevin Malcon.
A friend of his mother suggested Joaquín audition for BETM. He had never done a professional audition before and he hesitated for weeks before sending in his video. He later said the reason for his hesitation was the dancing. But it turns out the creative team recognized his talent and potential and he ended up being one of the first Billys selected to be in the cast. He was in Buenos Aires when he found out he made the cast and says he and his mom made a video call back home and everyone there was absolutely thrilled and proud.
This production of BETM will be Joaquín’s first musical as a performer. When he plays Billy for the first time, it will be the first show of this production’s run and he will be the 395th perfomer to debut in the role in a professional, regional or community theatre production of the musical since it opened in London in 2005.
For more information about Joaquín, visit:
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