Note: Shannan Pratt’s last performance as Billy in Billy Elliot the Musical (BETM) in Bracebridge, Ontario, Canada, presented by the collaborative efforts of The Bracebridge Rotary Club, HUB Productions and Theatre Muskoka was on Mar 2, 2024.
Debut: February 22, 2024 (Bracebridge, ON, Canada)
Total Performances as Billy: 7 (No partial shows)
Shannan Pratt was 14 years old (D.O.B. 7-Nov-2009) when he debuted in the title role in the Bracebridge, Ontario, Canada production of Billy Elliot The Musical. Shannan is a freshman in high school and resides in Huntsville, Ontario.
Shannan comes from a musical family. His mother is Sarah Spring who is a piano teacher and Shannan’s uncle is Tobin Spring, a singer and songwriter who is well-known to Canadian audiences. Shannan himself plays piano, violin and alto saxophone.
Shannan’s prior acting experience includes his appearance in the role of “Bert” in the HUB production of Mary Poppins two years ago. But BETM will be his first big stage appearance in a starring role.
In a publicity article in the local Muskoka Today online newspaper, after viewing the Bracebridge production in rehearsal, Shannan is described as “offering a charming representation of the title character of Billy. He shows great talent as an actor and a free spirit dancer up to the challenge of the ballet stage.” He’s quoted in the article as saying about portraying Billy, “It’s a really fun role. I’m glad I took it.”
Before the production opened in early February, Hub Productions wrote this about Shannan, “If you know Shannan, you know he is a gentle soul with the biggest heart and that he is a natural on the stage. When he came into auditions and sang “Electricity” from the show – there were tears in our eyes as he did so with heart and the voice of an angel.”
With his debut as Billy, Shannan becomes the 353rd performer in the world to bring the role of Billy Elliot to life in a professional, regional or community theatre production of the musical.
For more information about Shannan, visit:
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