Note: Marcello’s final show as Billy in Billy Elliot the Musical (BETM) in Simi Valley, California, presented by Actors Repertory Theatre of Simi (ARTS), was on August 27, 2017.
Debut: July 22, 2017 (Simi Valley, CA)
Total Performances as Billy to Date: 17 (No partial shows)
Marcello Silva was 11 years old (D.O.B. = 15-Nov-2005) when he debuted as Billy Elliot. He’s from Thousand Oaks, CA and is a 7th grade home schooled student.
In addition to his love of performing, Marcello is also a black belt in Taekwondo.
It was Marcello’s experiences in Elementary School dramatics, under the guidance of the school’s Music Director, Mr. Frank LaGuardia, where he discovered his passion for theatre. He had roles in the school’s production of The Lion King, Jr. (Simba) and Beauty and the Beast Jr. (Gaston).
Since that first exposure, Marcello has studied dance (ballet, jazz, tap and hip hop) and has also had training in improv and acting.
He has appeared many times on the stage of the Cabrillo Music Theatre in his native Thousand Oaks. Some of those shows have included:
- July, 2015: Oklahoma! (Ensemble)
- October, 2015: Damn Yankees (Ensemble)
- April, 2016: Children of Eden (Young Abel)
- July 2016: The Little Mermaid (Featured Dancer)
- October, 2016: Evita (Ensemble)
This year, previous to his starring role in BETM at the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center, Marcello appeared there in Big Fish, playing the role of Young Will in April/May of 2017 .
Marcello has appeared in front of the cameras as well. He was recently in the short film Who’s Caring for Kara (Matt), is a principal dancer for Music Express choreography dance videos and has appeared in commercials.
Marcello Becomes Billy
Marcello decided to audition for the Actors Repertory Theatre of Simi (ARTS) production of BETM after being asked by his tap teacher, Becky Castells (who is also the choreographer for the ARTS production of BETM), if he’d ever heard of the show. Aged ten at the time, Marcello hadn’t. But he went home, watched videos and decided he would definitely audition if he got the opportunity. When the audition was posted in April of 2017, several people (including theatre friends and prior teachers) all asked if he was going to try out. So he did, and eventually was cast as Billy!
Credit: Photo by Justin Brown Photography
Rehearsals for the show began in early June. They ran from three to six hours per day for six days each week.
Says Marcello, “I am so thankful for the amazing production staff, tech crew and the entire cast for their dedication, support and hard work!”
Upon his debut, Marcello becomes the 205th actor to bring Billy to life in a professional, Regional or Community Theater production of the musical.
For more information about Marcello Silva, visit:
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