Trent Matthias Kowalik (born February 22, 1995) is an American actor, singer and dancer. After making his theatrical debut as Billy in 2007 in the West End production of ''

Billy Elliot the Musical ''Billy Elliot: The Musical'' is a coming-of-age stage musical based on the 2000 film of the same name. The music is by Elton John, and the book and lyrics are by Lee Hall, who wrote the film's screenplay. The plot revolves around Billy, a ...

'', he went on to co-originate the same role in the 2008 Broadway production. Along with the two other boys playing Billy, he earned a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical, becoming the youngest winner in that category.

Early life and education

Kowalik was born in

Wantagh Wantagh ( ) is a hamlet and census-designated place (CDP) in the Town of Hempstead in Nassau County, on Long Island, New York, United States. The population was 18,871 at the time of the 2010 census. Wantagh is known as "The Gateway to Jones ...

, New York, the son of Lauretta (née Splescia), an organist and pianist at St. Raphael's Roman Catholic Church in

East Meadow East Meadow is a hamlet and census-designated place (CDP) in the Town of Hempstead in Nassau County, on Long Island, in New York. The population was 38,132 at the 2010 census. Many residents commute to Manhattan, which is away. History In ...

, New York, and Michael Kowalik, a surveyor. He has three older sisters. He started dance lessons at the age of three at Dorothy's School of Dance in Bellmore, New York. At age four, he began instruction in

Irish dancing Irish dance refers to a group of traditional dance forms that originate in Ireland, encompassing dancing both solo and in groups, and dancing for social, competitive, and performance purposes. Irish dance in its current form developed from vari ...

. At age six, he was competing at the highest level, Open Championship. He danced with the Inishfree School of Irish Dance. In April 2006, at age 11, Kowalik won the youngest male age group of the World Irish Dancing Championship ( ga, Oireachtas Rince na Cruinne) in Belfast. 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. He graduated from The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School–Pre-Professional Division American Ballet Theatre in 2013. He graduated from

Princeton University Princeton University is a private university, private research university in Princeton, New Jersey. Founded in 1746 in Elizabeth, New Jersey, Elizabeth as the College of New Jersey, Princeton is the List of Colonial Colleges, fourth-oldest ins ...

in June 2018. He was a member of student dance groups Princeton University Ballet and BodyHype Dance Company.

Acting career

On December 17, 2007, Kowalik made his debut as Billy in ''

'' at the

Victoria Palace Theatre The Victoria Palace Theatre is a West End theatre in Victoria Street, in the City of Westminster, opposite Victoria Station. The structure is categorised as a Grade II* listed building. History Origins The theatre began life as a small conc ...

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 New York press launch on April 22, 2008, along with David Álvarez and

Kiril Kulish Kiril Jacob Kulish (born February 16, 1994) is an American actor, singer and dancer who is best known for portraying the title role in the original American production of ''Billy Elliot the Musical'', which earned him a Tony Award for Best Actor ...

. Kowalik, in a reprise of his role as Billy, made his

Broadway Broadway may refer to: Theatre * Broadway Theatre (disambiguation) * Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S. ** Broadway (Manhattan), the street **Broadway Theatre (53rd Stree ...

debut on October 8, 2008. His final performance in New York was on March 7, 2010. On June 7, 2009, Alvarez, Kowalik, and Kulish won the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical, becoming one of the youngest winners of the award. This marked the first to date occurrence of the award being given to more than one performer in the same year. He performed "Angry Dance" as the Billy representative from the show. This production of ''Billy Elliot'' was nominated for 15 Tony awards in all, including Best Musical, and won 10.

Theatre credits

References

External links

Official website
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Kowalik, Trent 1995 births Living people Male actors from New York (state) American male dancers American male child actors American male stage actors American male musical theatre actors American male television actors American people of Polish descent American people of Italian descent American people of Irish descent People from Wantagh, New York Theatre World Award winners Tony Award winners 21st-century American male actors People from East Meadow, New York People from Bellmore, New York