The Reading Warehouse

Alex Ko's moving autobiography will inspire tweens to dare to dream big.

Alex Ko: From Iowa to Broadway, My Billy Elliot Story follows Alex's journey from small town Iowa to becoming a famous Broadway performer in New York City. Despite all the odds he had to overcome--facing his father's tragic death from cancer, financial difficulties, countless auditions, and serious injuries, Alex triumphantly lands the starring role in the musical Billy Elliot at age thirteen.

For theater fans who want an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the world of backstage Broadway to kids determined to achieve dreams of their own, Alex Ko's story, told in his own words, is powerful and personal.

A collection of black-and-white photos from both Billy Elliot productions and Alex's childhood brings his world vividly to life.

Alex Ko made his Broadway debut at age thirteen in the title role of Billy in the Tony Award-winning Billy Elliot: The Musical. Alex studied dance from the time he was five years old, and at the age of twelve he was the youngest student admitted to the University of Iowa Dance Department, where he received college credit with honors distinction. Alex was guided by ballet masters Eloy Barragán and George de la Peña in Iowa City and by Peter O'Brien and Wilhelm Burmann in New York City. Alex has had the distinct honor of being a guest dancer at the White House and has appeared on ABC Family's Bunheads. Alex has won national and regional dance titles and is a USA gymnastics champion coached by 1996 Olympic gold medalist Dmitri Trouch.