BWW Interviews: BILLY ELLIOT's Mitchell Tobin

By: Apr. 30, 2013
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Most thirteen year olds spend their days concentrating on balancing homework with a fun hobby like baseball or soccer and hope one day to figure out what they want to do with their lives. Mitchell Tobin is not like most thirteen year olds. Mitchell is currently one of the boys that tackles the lead role in Billy Elliot in the touring production of the same name. Playing at the San Diego Civic Theatre from April 30th through May 5th, Billy Elliot follows the story of a young man who overcomes any odds to follow his dreams.

A dancer since he was 2 years old, Mitchell is a native of Boca Raton has had the role of Billy as a goal since he saw the show.

"I was 9 the first time that I auditioned and ever since then I have always wanted to be Billy Elliot. I would always go to New York in the summers and I always wanted to see Billy Elliot because that was kind of a "must do" and I saw Billy and Michael and all the cast and just being able to see him on stage, and I knew that this was what I wanted to do. I wanted to do it so bad so for the longest time that was all I would talk about was Billy Elliot and the auditions. So finally they called me for a regular call, for a regular audition, an open audition. Then a couple weeks later I got a all for a call back and then I got final call back and then I got Billy. I rehearsed for 5 weeks in New York and then I came to the tour and rehearsed for a couple more weeks and I opened in December in Austin Texas."

Mitchell still balances schoolwork and field trips with all of his performances and travel. "We actually have 2 tutors that come and travel with the tour and help us with school. So if we don't get enough school hours in the week they will assign us homework. So we do school when we're on standby in the wings, during the whole show in case the other Billy gets hurt."

His study of dance started at 2 when he learned tap and jazz. Since then he has also learned a variety of dance styles. While Billy Elliot gives him a chance to really showcase ballet and tap he has a favorite that is not as featured in the show.

"My favorite is probably the contemporary, just because I really like being able to move my body in weird ways and getting to really, like think about and really make me get into character and really lose myself in the dance."

It's hard to believe that this young man, who just celebrated his thirteenth birthday a few weeks ago, has achieved so much in such a short time. So what does his future hold? "I really love acting and it's one of my really favorite things to do. And after this I really want to really focusing on my dance, acting, and singing cause now that I am in this business I want to do more stuff than I ready am. And just being able to be Billy inspires me to learn even more stuff."

Come see Mitchell in Billy Elliot at the San Diego Civic Theatre from April 30th - May 5th. For ticket information please go to www.Broadwaysd.com or call 619- 570-11100.

Photo Credit Amy Boyle



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