Trent Kowalik
Encyclopedia
Trent Kowalik is an American actor
, dancer, and singer. Kowalik made his theatrical debut as "Billy" in the West End
production of Billy Elliot the Musical
on December 17, 2007. Kowalik currently resides in Wantagh, New York
.
, and at age four began instruction in Irish dancing. At age 6, he was competing at the highest level, Open Championship. He danced with the Inishfree School of Irish Dance. In April 2006, Kowalik won the youngest, male age group of the World Irish Dancing Championship in Belfast
, Northern Ireland
at age 11.
He is a five-time undefeated North American Champion and a World Champion. He holds multiple national titles in Scotland, England, and Ireland, and continues to study ballet, tap, jazz, and lyrical dance. His television appearances include HBO's Inside the NFL
alongside Bob Costas
(November 2005), Good Morning America
, and on the BBC
.
Kowalik is currently continuing his dance education at The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School – Pre-Professional Division American Ballet Theater.
at the Victoria Palace Theatre
in London. His final London show was on June 7, 2008.
Kowalik was announced as one of the three boys to play Billy in the Broadway production of the show at a press launch in New York
on April 22, 2008, along with David Álvarez
and Kiril Kulish
. Kowalik, in a reprise of his role as Billy, made his Broadway
debut on October 8, 2008. His final performance in New York was on March 7, 2010.
On June 7, 2009, Kowalik, along with Kiril Kulish
and David Álvarez
, won for the Tony Award
for best actor in a musical
. This marked the only occurrence of this award being given to more than one performer in the same year. In addition, Trent performed Angry Dance as the Billy representative from the show. The production of Billy Elliot was nominated for 15 Tony awards in all, including Best Musical.
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
, dancer, and singer. Kowalik made his theatrical debut as "Billy" in the West End
West End theatre
West End theatre is a popular term for mainstream professional theatre staged in the large theatres of London's 'Theatreland', the West End. Along with New York's Broadway theatre, West End theatre is usually considered to represent the highest level of commercial theatre in the English speaking...
production of Billy Elliot the Musical
Billy Elliot the Musical
Billy Elliot the Musical is a musical based on the 2000 film Billy Elliot. The music is by Sir Elton John, and book and lyrics are by Lee Hall, who wrote the film's screenplay. The plot revolves around motherless Billy, who trades boxing gloves for ballet shoes...
on December 17, 2007. Kowalik currently resides in Wantagh, New York
Wantagh, New York
Wantagh is a hamlet and census-designated place in Nassau County, New York, United States...
.
Biography
Kowalik started dance lessons at age 3½ at Dorothy's School of Dance in Bellmore, New YorkThe Bellmores, New York
Bellmore is a hamlet in Nassau County, New York, United States. The population according to the 2010 census was 16,218...
, and at age four began instruction in Irish dancing. At age 6, he was competing at the highest level, Open Championship. He danced with the Inishfree School of Irish Dance. In April 2006, Kowalik won the youngest, male age group of the World Irish Dancing Championship in Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
at age 11.
He is a five-time undefeated North American Champion and a World Champion. He holds multiple national titles in Scotland, England, and Ireland, and continues to study ballet, tap, jazz, and lyrical dance. His television appearances include HBO's Inside the NFL
Inside the NFL
Inside the NFL is a weekly cable television sports show that focuses on the National Football League. It originally aired on HBO from 1977 through 2008...
alongside Bob Costas
Bob Costas
Robert Quinlan "Bob" Costas is an American sportscaster, on the air for the NBC network since the early 1980s.-Early life:...
(November 2005), Good Morning America
Good Morning America
Good Morning America is an American morning news and talk show that is broadcast on the ABC television network; it debuted on November 3, 1975. The weekday program airs for two hours; a third hour aired between 2007 and 2008 exclusively on ABC News Now...
, and on the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
.
Kowalik is currently continuing his dance education at The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School – Pre-Professional Division American Ballet Theater.
Billy Elliot the Musical
On December 17, 2007, Kowalik made his debut as Billy in Billy Elliot the MusicalBilly Elliot the Musical
Billy Elliot the Musical is a musical based on the 2000 film Billy Elliot. The music is by Sir Elton John, and book and lyrics are by Lee Hall, who wrote the film's screenplay. The plot revolves around motherless Billy, who trades boxing gloves for ballet shoes...
at the Victoria Palace Theatre
Victoria Palace Theatre
Victoria Palace Theatre is a West End theatre in Victoria Street, in the City of Westminster, opposite Victoria Station.-Origins:The theatre began life as a small concert room above the stables of the Royal Standard Hotel, a small hotel and tavern built in 1832 at what was then 522 Stockbridge...
in London. His final London show was on June 7, 2008.
Kowalik was announced as one of the three boys to play Billy in the Broadway production of the show at a press launch in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
on April 22, 2008, along with David Álvarez
David Alvarez (actor)
David Alvarez is a Canadian dancer and actor, best known as being one of the original Billys in the Broadway production of Billy Elliot the Musical.- Early years :...
and Kiril Kulish
Kiril Kulish
Kiril Kulish is an American actor, dancer, and singer. Beginning his ballet training at the age of five, Kulish became a Tony Award winner at the age of fifteen as Best Leading Actor in a Musical for his role as one of the original Billys in the Broadway production of Billy Elliot the Musical.-...
. Kowalik, in a reprise of his role as Billy, made his Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
debut on October 8, 2008. His final performance in New York was on March 7, 2010.
On June 7, 2009, Kowalik, along with Kiril Kulish
Kiril Kulish
Kiril Kulish is an American actor, dancer, and singer. Beginning his ballet training at the age of five, Kulish became a Tony Award winner at the age of fifteen as Best Leading Actor in a Musical for his role as one of the original Billys in the Broadway production of Billy Elliot the Musical.-...
and David Álvarez
David Alvarez (actor)
David Alvarez is a Canadian dancer and actor, best known as being one of the original Billys in the Broadway production of Billy Elliot the Musical.- Early years :...
, won for the Tony Award
Tony Award
The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes achievement in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ceremony in New York City. The awards are given for Broadway...
for best actor in a musical
Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical
The Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical is awarded to the actor who was voted as the best actor in a musical play, whether a new production or a revival...
. This marked the only occurrence of this award being given to more than one performer in the same year. In addition, Trent performed Angry Dance as the Billy representative from the show. The production of Billy Elliot was nominated for 15 Tony awards in all, including Best Musical.
Theatre
| Theatre | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Title | Role | Theatre | Note |
7 June 2008 |
Victoria Palace Theatre Victoria Palace Theatre Victoria Palace Theatre is a West End theatre in Victoria Street, in the City of Westminster, opposite Victoria Station.-Origins:The theatre began life as a small concert room above the stables of the Royal Standard Hotel, a small hotel and tavern built in 1832 at what was then 522 Stockbridge... |
West End theatre West End theatre is a popular term for mainstream professional theatre staged in the large theatres of London's 'Theatreland', the West End. Along with New York's Broadway theatre, West End theatre is usually considered to represent the highest level of commercial theatre in the English speaking... |
||
7 March 2010 |
Imperial Theatre Imperial Theatre The Imperial Theatre is a legitimate Broadway theatre located at 249 West 45th Street in midtown-Manhattan. The theatre seats up to 1417 people.... |
Broadway theatre Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City... |
||