Note: Sam Duncan’s final show as Billy in Paramount Theatre’s production of Billy Elliot the Musical (BETM) in Aurora, IL, was on March 24, 2024.
Debut: February 8, 2024 (Aurora, IL)
Total Performances as Billy: 27 (No partial shows)
Sam Duncan was 12 years old when he made his debut as Billy in Paramount Theatre’s production of BETM.
Sam has been dancing since he was four years old, acting since he was six and singing since he was eight. His dance training has been at The Dance Connection of East Haven (Connecticut). Outside of performing, his other hobbies include learning the piano, swimming, playing soccer and hanging out with his dogs.
Here’s a video of Sam performing his ballet solo Harlequinade at a dance competition in 2023:
Credit: Video by Sam_Duncan_Triple-Threat
Despite his young age, Sam is a very experienced actor. His credits include commercials, voice-overs, TV, film and theatre.
Sam’s film credits include:
- Young Gideon in Not the Same Clarence (2023)
- James Beckman in The Shade (2023)
And his theatre credits include:
- Children’s choir in Evita (ACT of Connecticut, Oct-Nov 2018)
- Tiny Tim in A Connecticut Christmas Carol (Goodspeed Musicals, December 2019)
- Duke of York in Richard III (The Public Theater, July 2022)
- John in Fun Home (TheaterWorks of Hartford, Oct-Nov 2022)
- Fagin’s Gang/Understudy Dodger in Oliver! (New York City Center Encores!, May 2023)
Playing the role of Billy will be the first time that Sam has played the lead role in a musical. Sam will alternate in the role with Neo Del Corral — they previously performed alongside each other in New York City Center’s Oliver!, both as members of Fagin’s Gang.
With his debut performance on 8-Feb-2024, Sam becomes the 351st young actor worldwide to play the role of Billy in a professional, regional or community theatre production of the musical.
Photo Credit: Amy Nelson
For more information about Sam Duncan visit:
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