On Tuesday, Nov. 13 at 4:30 p.m. in Wagner College’s Main Stage theater, we will welcome Broadway animal trainer Bill Berloni for a conversation about his work as related in his book, “Broadway Tails: Bill Berloni’s Theatrical Animals.”
“Broadway Tails” tells Berloni’s backstage stories of shelter dogs that have become famous in television, film and Broadway. Berloni, a winner of the Tony Award Honor for Excellence in Theatre, got his big break at just 20 years old while working as a theatre apprentice. A producer asked him to find and train a dog to play Sandy in the original Broadway production of “Annie.” This became a bigger challenge than it seemed, but Berloni was able to find a dog at a local animal shelter. This began his commitment to using rescued animals, and he was able to develop revolutionary humane training techniques to create a successful performance.
Since that time, Bill Berloni has trained animals of all species found in shelters, humane societies or rescue leagues. A few of his Broadway animal training credits include “Annie,” “Camelot” with Richard Burton, “Frankenstein,” “ Alice in Wonderland,” “The Wizard of Oz,” “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” and “Legally Blonde: The Musical.” Berloni has also trained animals for Off-Broadway plays, film, numerous television shows, and he recently published the book, “Broadway Tails.”
Bill Berloni is recognized for both his work as an animal trainer and his dedication to rescue work. Join Bill as he speaks about his personal experiences training both animals and actors to work animals, his love for dogs, and his experience training Bruiser in Wagner College Theatre’s production of “Legally Blonde: The Musical!”
