On a vast farm in Connecticut, Bill Berloni spent nearly 50 years turning rescue dogs into stars on stage and screens. The Tony Award-winning animal trainer has been working with 200-300 dogs since 1976, all of which have been rescued from shelter.
“Someone said they had a cheap dog in an animal shelter, so I went to see it one day,” recalls Berloni’s first experience in training theatre dogs. “The next day I found this little dog that was going to fall asleep and recruited him. I found that it was the original production of ‘Annie’ and it was the original sand. ”
That opportunity started an incredible career. Berloni became the first trainer to introduce dogs in a major role Broadwayand remains the only animal trainer to receive Tony Award For excellence in theatre.
His current performer roster includes Bowdy, who starred as Nana in “Peter Pan Live,” and one of his latest stars, Tana June, “and so” Charlotte York’s Dog Includes Myrtle playing the role. A few months before he landed the role with six-time Tony winner Audra McDonald on Broadway’s “Gypsy.”
“These are the original way actors because you’re on stage and they’re in the moment,” Berloni said.
The trainer and his team prepare the dog extensively for the unpredictable environment of the live theater.
“We prepare by bringing them along to show them in advance.
For Berloni, working alone with rescue animals is a moral command.
“Why is my answer? And as a result, I have lived a wonderful life that 2-300 animals may not have lived,” he says.
Once their performance day is over, all Berloni’s dogs retire to his farm.
“The idea of recruiting a dog, exploiting it for money and removing it didn’t make sense to me,” he explains.
Looking back on his unexpected career path, Berroni said, “I think I’m the luckyest person in the world.”
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