NewsPHOTO EXCLUSIVE: A Day at the Theatre With Billy Elliot Star Dayton TavaresEver wonder about the daily routine of a Broadway actor? Young leading man Dayton Tavares, who starred in the Sydney and Melbourne productions of Billy Elliot before joining the Broadway cast in December, offers Playbill.com readers an exclusive look at a recent Sunday, serving as "Billy standby" at the matinee and performing the role at night.
By
Matthew Blank
October 27, 2010
We get an in-depth look at the performance day of an actor playing a role so rigorous that the eight-show week is split among three, sometimes four, different performers. Though there is no such thing a two-show day for a child actor playing Billy, Tavares was in attendance at the matinee performance as an "on call" standby should he be needed, prior to going on in the title role that evening.
Armed with a digital camera on a particularly busy October Sunday, he snapped everything from morning routine to pre-performance rituals to between-show activities to the final curtain call.
Here is a day at Billy Elliot with Dayton Tavares:
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A Day With Billy Elliot Star Dayton Tavares
A Day With Billy Elliot Star Dayton Tavares
Ever wonder about the daily routine of a Broadway actor? Young leading man Dayton Tavares, who starred in the Sydney and Melbourne productions of Billy Elliot before joining the Broadway cast in December, offers Playbill.com readers an exclusive look at a recent Sunday, serving as "Billy standby" at the matinee and performing the role at night
48 PHOTOS
Here I am about to kick off another new day with Billy Elliot. We have a full day today as I am standing by for the matinee and performing in the evening. Here we go!
Dayton Tavares
Breakfast time: today we have toast with vegemite (an iconic Australian spread – my Dad sends it to me from home!) and of course, my daily vitamins.
Dayton Tavares
Time to get ready to go to the theatre, but first to pick out the right cap to wear. This is only about 25 percent of my cap collection; I couldn't bring them all with me from home.
Dayton Tavares
Now which of my signature caps should I choose today?
Dayton Tavares
The straw hat was not for me. Now, we're ready to go!
Time to feed my pet lizard, Toruk. I won him at the street fair on 9th Ave this summer and he’s named after a character in "Avatar."
Dayton Tavares
This is a collage I made of my family. I get to see my dad and sisters every two months or so. You’ll also see my "Billy" and "Michael" bears and my scrapbook of memories from America.
Dayton Tavares
OK, time to head to the Imperial Theatre for my work day!
Dayton Tavares
But first a stop at Dave & Buster's in Times Square…
Dayton Tavares
Let's see if we can win some prizes today.
Dayton Tavares
Me and my prize. I gave it to one of our guardians, John Fahey, for his nephew.
Dayton Tavares
And now for a little Skee Ball.
Dayton Tavares
This is one of my favorite games. I've beaten the high score a bunch of times. Pirouetting and spinning a ball on your finger, kind of the same thing right?
Dayton Tavares
With my trusty alligator at my side, now it’s really time to head to the Imperial.
Dayton Tavares
This is my front of house photo on the 46th Street side of the theatre.
Dayton Tavares
Ready for work!
Dayton Tavares
This move was a new addition to our warm-up. Our warm-up activities vary from day to day. It’s nice to switch things up and keep it interesting.
Dayton Tavares
Warm-up begins. Here I am with Peter Mazurowski who will play Billy at the matinee.
Dayton Tavares
Our resident choreographer Jeff Edwards always makes sure that we are at our best for each performance.
Dayton Tavares
Now I am all warmed up and hanging out in the boys dressing room with Alex Dreier (Small Boy), Gabe Rush and Neil McCaffrey (who share the role of Michael) and Ben Cook (Tall Boy).
Dayton Tavares
Since I am on standby for this performance, I basically just hang out at the theatre just in case I am needed. So during the show today, Ben and I are building mini skateboard ramps in the dressing room.
Dayton Tavares
Ben catching air with our new design.
Dayton Tavares
The matinee is over and I am headed home for some dinner and a break.
Dayton Tavares
Before I perform, I always have a healthy dinner like fish or pasta.
Dayton Tavares
My sisters bought me this guitar when I was playing Billy in Melbourne and I have been teaching myself to play.
Dayton Tavares
My mum Sharon is my #1 fan!
Dayton Tavares
Ready to head back to the theatre for the 7:30 PM show!
Dayton Tavares
My first stop is always the call board to sign in…
Dayton Tavares
...and tonight a special stop in the dressing room for some treats to celebrate Gabe Rush's last show.
Dayton Tavares
Warm-up #2 for today, Jacob Clemente is the standby Billy for this performance.
Dayton Tavares
Grant Turner and I doing some pre-show work.
Dayton Tavares
I'm spinning so fast, the camera can't even catch me!
Dayton Tavares
Emily Skinner (Mrs. Wilkinson) tries on one of my signature hats – she works it!
Dayton Tavares
Hair supervisor Susan Corrado helps get me ready for the show.
Dayton Tavares
"Billy" dresser Jessica Scoblick helps me on with my jacket for the top of the show.
Dayton Tavares
BEST DRESSER IN THE WORLD!!!
Dayton Tavares
Here I am with one of our guardians, John Mara. He helped me out a lot with these photos, too!
Dayton Tavares
Resident director Mark Schneider gives me a few tips before I head out on stage.
Dayton Tavares
One of my pre-show rituals: a nice hot cup of Emergen-C.
Dayton Tavares
Ben, Gabe and I are doing our vocal warm-up with associate conductor Shawn Gough.
Dayton Tavares
Alex, Ben and Gabe are about to go on stage for the boxing scene. Boxing is one of my favorite scenes in the show.
Dayton Tavares
End of Act I after Billy's big number, "Angry Dance." Wow – what a workout!!
Dayton Tavares
Ready for the Top of Act II. Here's me with Ben, Alex and Gabe getting in the holiday spirit as we are about to perform "Merry Christmas, Maggie Thatcher."
Dayton Tavares
Jess is back to help me get ready for Billy's big audition in London.
Dayton Tavares
Stephanie Kurtzuba, always pointing me in the right direction!
Dayton Tavares
Ava DeMary, the youngest of our fabulous Ballet Girls (she's nine!), smiles pretty for the camera.
Dayton Tavares
The show is finished and I have my Sharpie ready to go to sign some autographs outside.
Dayton Tavares
Thanks for hanging out with me on my two show day – hope you had as much fun as I did!!
Australian native Dayton Tavares is making his Broadway debut after having played the role of "Billy" in the Australia productions of the show. He has won the Australian Dancer of the Year in 2007 and Mr. Junior Las Vegas in the World Dance Championship. Tavares has performed at the Urban Music Awards, Industry Awards and the Sydney Opera House.
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Billy Elliot earned ten 2009 Tony Awards, including one for Best Musical. The show has music by Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall, choreography by Peter Darling and direction by Stephen Daldry. The production opened on Nov. 13, 2008, at Broadway's Imperial Theatre.
The queer-themed short plays will be made available for free to non-profit theatres, schools, and community organizations to support fundraising for LGBTQIA+ groups.
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