The Delano Dramatic Company (DDC) will present Billy Elliot The Musical (BETM) at the 656 seat Delano Performing Arts Center in Delano, Minnesota, from July 18-27, 2025.
Delano Dramatic Company is a relatively new community theatre based in Delano. Over the last several years, some key people who have deep roots in the Delano Public Schools drama program and in the Delano community have come together to form a new nonprofit company to produce community theatre in Delano. This new company is supported by the Delano Area Council for Arts and Culture, and the Central Minnesota Arts Board.
Joe Lawrence was the Director for a 2018 summer musical production of “Anything Goes” and Jack Neveaux was the scenic and lighting designer and technical director. Many talented adults and youth from Delano participated in this production. Based on community feedback received following the 2018 production, the idea of establishing a local theatre in Delano was raised in order to encourage people from the Delano area to get even more involved. Both Joe and Jack have strong professional experience in theatre, both prior to and as leaders of the Delano Public Schools drama department, and they have led the formation of the Delano Dramatic Company.
Following a successful bond referendum, the community was excited to open a new state-of-the-art performing arts center (the “PAC”) in the Fall of 2018. The new facility, located within Delano High School, provides an outstanding venue for performances and the community has responded through near-capacity audiences at school productions (except during Covid restrictions). The PAC is not utilized much during the summer, providing a great opportunity to expand local drama options via a community theatre company producing a multi-generational summer musical.
Beginning with the 2022 season, DDC has produced shows such as:
- Christmas With A Twist
- School of Rock
- Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol
- The Sound of Music
- Grace & Glorie
Billy Elliot The Musical
After deciding on doing BETM as its summer 2025 production, DDC, as noted in the graphic (above), announced auditions for the musical would be held in May and be directed by Jack Neveaux.
In fact, auditions took place on May 15, 16 & 17, with call backs held on May 19. The cast was announced on May 24th. Leading a 33 member cast would be Truman Bednar as Billy Elliot.
The first rehearsal was held on Tuesday May 27, 2025 with subsequent rehearsals held evenings on Monday through Thursday from 630 pm – 900 pm; plus Fridays beginning June 20.
To see a complete listing of the rest of the DDC cast, just click on the Cast Information button.
The cast took a break from rehearsing on July 4th, to participate in the Delano 4th of July Parade.
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