When you're young, you have big dreams. And then life hits, and those dreams start to fade. Thankfully, for one young Eastern Iowa actor, those dreams are burning bright, and we are honored to be a part.

A couple of weeks ago, you may recall that "Ragtime: The Musical", part of the "Broadway at the Paramount" series, was coming to town, and with weeks to go, they had a cast opening for the role of Young Colehouse, requiring a very specific young area actor. We put the call out, as you may have read,  and then it struck me; there was a boy that almost fit the description perfectly who has been a part of Ballet Quad Cities / Orch Iowa's "Nutcracker" production the last two years. I referred the lead, was thanked, and that was that.

Late last week I received an e-mail.

Thank you for recommending Trey Gordon for the role of Young Coalhouse in Ragtime the Musical at the Paramount Theatre in Cedar Rapids.
It was a great opportunity and he enjoyed doing this performance.  This was his first Broadway appearance but now we are looking into his auditioning for the role of Young Simba in Disney's Lion King....

Claire Gordon
Trey 3rd Grade picture
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This was from Trey's mother of course. I didn't even know his name at this point. She has since sent me his full resume, and this boy who I only knew as an actor and dance in the "Nutcracker" has quite a theatrical education behind him. He's been working with the Davenport Junior Theater for the past 6 years, a figure skater for the past 4 years, and has been with ballet quad cities the past 3 years. In the meantime, he became a 2nd degree Tae-Kwon-Do brown belt and has stayed actively involved in many other activities. It's quite an impressive resume for a young man, who's in 3rd grade this year.

During the last two years, he's been a vocal soloist, and performed in 6 plays shows between Ballet Quad Cities and other groups. Two of those shows were the Nutcracker performances you may have seen him in. He has also performed "I Just Can't Wait to be King" at Davenport Junior Theatre and has competed in Light Entertainment Ice Skating Competitions winning 1st Place. And then came his chance to join the touring Broadway cast with "Ragtime", igniting the dream of bigger and better.

We wish Trey the best of luck in his future endeavors and encourage you to cheer him on as he comes back to Cedar Rapids with ballet Quad Cities for Russian Fairytales April 23 and 24. We'll keep you updated if and when we hear more exciting news from this inspiring, aspiring young talent.

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