Jared Parker

Does Jared Parker look familiar? That’s probably because he was the bespectacled star of this year’s Tony Awards, standing out among the “Revolting Children” of Broadway’s Matilda: The Musical. Until the role of Nigel in Matilda came along, 11-year-old Jared had been focusing on his ballet training at American Ballet Theatre’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School. He already has dance credits like The Australian Ballet’s Swan Lake and ABT’s The Nutcracker under his belt—and now Jared can check “outstanding Broadway debut” off his to-do list, too.

Jared Parker with the Broadway cast of Matilda: The Musical (by Joan Marcus)

“I love the live audiences on Broadway. They react differently to things every night, so the show feels different each time.” —Jared Parker

FAST FACTS

Age he started dancing:
5

Who would play
him in a movie?
“I don’t know. Maybe SpongeBob SquarePants?”

Favorite food:
“I like bacon, ice cream, lobster and risotto.”

Hidden talent:
“I have really flexible thumbs. I can bend them back so they touch my wrists.”

The best advice he’s ever received:
“[Matilda choreographer] Peter Darling said to tell a story when we’re dancing, because otherwise we’re just dancing like robots.”

Dance idol:
Ivan Vasiliev

Favorite
dance movie:
First Position

Must-see TV shows:
“So You Think You Can Dance.” “I also like ‘American Ninja Warrior.’ It has really crazy obstacle courses.”

Dream dance
role:
Ali, the slave, in Le Corsaire

Advice for
DS readers:
“If anyone gives you a note, really listen to what they say.”