Note: Taven Blanke’s final show as Billy in Billy Elliot the Musical (BETM) in East Haddam, CT, presented by Goodspeed Musicals, was on November 24, 2019.
Debut: September 14, 2019 (East Haddam, CT)
Total Performances as Billy: 42 (No partial shows)
Taven Blanke was 12 years old (d.o.b. = 14-Aug-2007) upon his debut as Billy in Goodspeed Musicals’ production of BETM. He hails from Fountain Valley, California. His academics are received via the Orange County School of the Arts.
Taven’s dance training has been at the Clubhouse Academy for the Performing Arts where he has taken lessons in ballet, lyrical, contemporary, jazz, musical theatre and hip hop. He has also gotten his acting training there.
He’s received gymnastics training in CA, vocal instruction through school and belonging to his church choir.
Taven’s singing voice is on display in this video from 2018, as he portrays Colin Craven in the Rose Garden Theater’s production of The Secret Garden:
Taven’s prior recent theatrical experience includes:
- JoJo in Seussical (August 2019 at Top Hat 8 Repertory)
- Rooster in Annie, Jr. (May 2019 at Clubhouse Academy)
- Colin Craven in The Secret Garden (August 2018 at the Rose Garden Theater)
- Harold Hill in The Music Man, Jr. (May 2018 at Clubhouse Academy)
- Mike Teevee in Willie Wonka, Jr. (May 2017 at Clubhouse Academy)
- Young Simba in The Lion King (May 2016 at Clubhouse Academy)
To get an idea of Taven’s dance skills, here are a couple of video clips taken at a 2019 Summer Dance Recital:
Credit: Videos by Anna Blanke
Billy Elliot The Musical at Goodspeed Musicals
Taven was given notification of auditions for BETM and attended them. Once he received word that he had been cast in the show as one of two Billys, rehearsals began on 12-Aug-2019 and were held six days a week right up until the opening week of the show.
In speaking of his rehearsal experiences, Taven had this to say, “I’ve worked very hard, had an amazing experience, and loved every minute of it. I can’t wait to bring it to the stage, and would like to thank Gabe (Barre) and Marc (Kimelman) for all their help and guidance.”
Upon his debut at Goodspeed Musicals, Taven becomes the 278th actor worldwide to debut in the title role in a professional, regional or community theatre production of the musical.
For more information about Taven visit:
Billy Elliot the Forum, Backstage Professional Profile
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