David Bologna

Age: 14

Hometown: New Orleans, Louisiana

Currently: Scoring a Tony nomination as Billy’s plucky, unsinkable, cross-dressing best friend Michael in the hit musical Billy Elliot.

He Could Be a Star: Though a proud Italian-American boy, Bologna says it was another culture that first drew him to the stage. “I saw Lord of the Dance when I was six and fell in love. I saw Irish dance I was like, ‘That’s what I want to do!’” A family friend spotted David imitating dance moves off a tape of the high-kicking show and announced that the youngster had a talent for it. “My mom and dad were laughing because they thought it was cute, but he goes, ‘He could be a champion!’ We thought, ‘Yeah, right.’” He was right. Bologna enrolled in lessons and coincidentally studied alongside future co-star and fellow Billy Elliot Tony nominee Trent Kowalik. Bologna went on to become a two-time North American Irish Dance champ who placed fifth in the World Championships. Dancing also led to Bologna’s musical theater debut at age seven. “I played Winthrop in The Music Man at a local high school and just started getting roles. I fell in love with musicals, too. The people, the music, all of that grew on me.”

Rough Waters: Bologna’s family had to flee their home when Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans. “We left the day before the storm hit and stayed with family. Our house got seven inches of water, which isn’t a lot compared to some people, but by the time we were allowed back in the city there was four feet of mold in the house,” he recalls. The damage was so severe the family of four Bologna has an older brother had to relocate permanently to Austin, Texas, a harrowing ordeal the easygoing teen took in stride. “I had to start over—find new theater companies, new friends—which was hard. But it was actually perfect because my dance school was in San Antonio. I did my first theater production in Austin three months after we moved, so it really didn’t take too long. We just built everything up again.”

Billy Who?: Two years after hitting the Texas theater scene, where he played parts like Lefou in Beauty and the Beast and a young Mickey Rooney in Golly Gee Whiz, a friend told Bologna about a local audition for a new Broadway show. “She said, ‘They need a kid who can dance for Billy Elliot, and I think you’re perfect.’ I said, ‘What’s that about?’” Bologna went out for the title role, but didn’t hear anything back, chalking the cattle call up to experience. Then, over a year later, news came. “Out of the blue I got a random call. They wanted me to audition for Billy’s friend Michael—in New York, in less than a week! It was crazy.” Of the 12 boys selected for a callback, Bologna was the only one who hadn’t previously auditioned for the part. He went in not knowing the role and nailed it. “At the end of May 2008, they said, ‘You’ve got the part. You need to be here by the end of June.’” Three weeks later, Bologna and his mother were newly minted New Yorkers.

Expressing Yourself: Bologna has loved playing the free-spirited, exuberant Michael, who encourages his best friend’s love of dance and just so happens to enjoy dressing up in his mum’s makeup and frocks. “I’m very similar to him. Well, not the wearing dresses part!” Bologna says of his character. “He’s shy at times, kind of an introvert, but crazy and eccentric when he’s with his friends. That’s how I am.” The young actor also believes firmly in Michael’s message. “His point to the audience is to lay everything on the line and do whatever you want: you control your life. I think I had that sense in me before, but playing this role has brought it out even more. Michael’s an inspiration for everyone.”

Tony Fever: Being a Tony nominee at any age is a rush, even more so at 14. “I’m so excited!” Bologna, who found out about his nomination via the big screen in Times Square, admits. “I got fit for a tux and am going to see if I can pick out a flashy vest and tie. I even met Liza Minnelli at the Tony brunch—she’s adorable, so full of personality and open to conversation.” The honor has come with one downside, however. Bologna shares the role of Michael with fellow performer Frank Dolce, so news that he alone had been nominated for a Tony—while the show’s three Billys shared the nomination in their category—was a shock. It’s difficult for the Michaels to understand. “It’s angering,” he says, acknowledging he'd be upset, “if the tables were turned, you know? But [Frank]’s doing good, and we’re fine.”

A Life in Theater: Bologna doesn’t care what happens at the Tony Awards—he’s just thrilled to be living the dream. “I absolutely love it in New York City, and I definitely feel like [performing] is my life. I might want to do TV or movies someday, but I love having those moments onstage. Directors: I’m open!” But just in case he does win, the performer’s received advice from previous winners, four-time winner Harvey Fierstein included. “They talked at the Tony brunch about how to give a good acceptance speech; how you shouldn’t just list people and thank them. It really needs to come from your heart and be exactly what you’re feeling at that moment. I think they’re totally right about that.”