Note: Jack Thistle’s last show as Billy in Atlantic Light Theatre’s production of Billy Elliot the Musical (BETM) in St John’s, Newfoundland, was on February 5, 2017.
Debut: February 2, 2017 (St John’s, Newfoundland)
Total Performances to Date: 5 (No partial shows)
Jack Thistle was 13-years-old (D.O.B. = 6-Nov-2003) when he debuted as Billy in the Atlantic Light Theatre production of BETM in St John’s, Newfoundland. He is a student at Mount Pearl Intermediate.
Jack was chosen to be Atlantic Light Theatre’s Billy out of the 22 boys that auditioned in the summer of 2016. Jack had very little dance experience and his only previous stage experience was performing in the Kiwanis Festival. Despite this, Jack won the role of Billy because the casting directors spotted something special in him when he walked into the audition room. Starting in July 2016, in order to prepare himself for his upcoming role, Jack embarked on a seven-month long intensive training program with the show’s choreographer, Marie Steffen, to learn acting, singing and dancing.
Here’s a clip of Jack singing a section from Electricity in his very first rehearsal:
Credit: Video by Atlantic Light
The thing Jack enjoys most about playing Billy is his determination. “I like how when someone says he can’t be a ballet dancer, he does it anyway because it’s his passion,” he says.
In December 2016 Jack gave a preview of his role as Billy when he performed Electricity in Shelley Neville’s “Oh Holy Night” at the St John’s Arts and Cultural Centre, which is the venue where BETM will be performed.
Here’s Jack talking with Owen Carter, who will play Michael in the Atlantic Light production, about their roles in the show:
Credit: Video by Atlantic Light
Jack says that Newfoundland residents should come and watch their production of BETM because “it’s so uplifting and inspirational”.
With his debut as Billy Elliot on 2-Feb-2017, Jack becomes the 180th actor worldwide to play the role.
For more information about Jack visit:
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