Posted by midwestsarah 2012-12-12 16:52:24
I know that the actors who play Billy Elliot are replaced when they grow too tall, look too old, have their voices crack, etc. I believe that I read or heard somewhere that there is some sort of program for the boys who age out of the role. However, I have searched the archives and web and cannot find anything. Did I mishear and/or misremember reading this? Or can anyone point me to a link with more information? Thanks for your help.Aging out of Billy Elliot
Posted by TheatreKid3 2012-12-12 17:05:50
I think there might be a program for boys to age into the role, like say, they being in the role of the "small boy" or "posh boy" and are trained from that young age until they are old enough to assume the role of Billy, ultimately replacing a Billy who, by that time, will have grown too old to play the role. I haven't heard of any type of program for the Billys after they get too old, just the one for boys to be trained into the role.
Aging out of Billy Elliot
Posted by midwestsarah 2012-12-12 17:15:25
Thank you. I thought it was some sort of counseling for them or something since they're essentially going from attention, busy schedules for performances, etc. to essentially nothing and potentially obscurity.
Aging out of Billy Elliot
Posted by wonkit 2012-12-12 21:33:05
Which sounds like an actor's life.
Aging out of Billy Elliot
Posted by mikey2573 2012-12-13 21:54:31
Kylend Hetherington, who has been with the tour for about two years, will be "aging out" this Friday night in TX. It will be his final show as Billy.
Aging out of Billy Elliot
Posted by justoldbill 2012-12-13 23:02:04
They have a WITHDRAWAL program????
Is it like Sylvester and Birds Anonomous?
Aging out of Billy Elliot
Posted by Wee Thomas2 2012-12-14 16:23:00
I thought they sent them to a farm in Kentucky.
Aging out of Billy Elliot
Posted by AEA AGMA SM 2012-12-14 18:06:34
They get sent to the same "farm" that mommy and daddy sent your golden retriever Max to when he started peeing on all the furniture.
Aging out of Billy Elliot
Posted by justoldbill 2012-12-14 20:05:59
I'm afraid most of those farms in Kentucky are for purposes that would be considered immoral for young men of that age, not to mention illegal.
Aging out of Billy Elliot
Posted by lalaleeloo 2012-12-14 22:09:57
There's a London farm. The US "farm" might just be the ABT school.
"[T]he producers hired a social worker who not only counsels the London Billys during their employment but also provides aftercare when they age out. She may help find an agent, a ballet school, or just a way to relinquish stardom. Still, all Billys dread the day their adolescence becomes undeniable, notwithstanding (or perhaps because of) the onstage ceremony in which they are handed back to their families, with parting gifts."
Aging out of Billy Elliot
Posted by justoldbill 2012-12-14 22:24:54
Nice, in a spooky sort of way.
Wait- I think I meant that in reverse.
