Eli is in the 6th grade at Percy Julian Middle School in Oak Park, IL. He has been dancing since he was 5 years old. Eli is part of the ETC Tap Company and also trains in Ballet, Hip Hop, and Contemporary at Extensions Dance Center. Eli stays very busy with professional musical theater, where he can apply his dance skills to the theater stage. Eli is currently playing “Christian” in Fun Home (Porchlight Music Theatre). He was last seen as “Jason” in Falsettos (Timeline / Court Theatre), heralded by Chris Jones from The Chicago Tribune as “One of the Best Chicago Productions of 2024.” Eli was seen this past summer as “Bruce” in Matilda the Musical (Fireside Dinner Theater). Other Chicago credits include: Billy Elliot (Paramount Theater), School of Rock (Paramount Theater), and A Christmas Carol (Metropolis). Eli’s passion for theater and dance stems from the Ovation Academy for the Performing Arts in Oak Park, IL, where from a young age he learned to love dancing, singing, and acting. He even traveled to Sacramento, California with Ovation’s youth ensemble to participate in Jr. Theater Festival West where the company won “Outstanding Performance” for The Music Man, Jr. where Eli played “Winthrop Paroo.” When Eli is not dancing or doing theater, he loves making music on his trumpet, hanging out with friends, building legos, and playing with his two dogs, Maple and Coco. Many thanks to Lizzie and all his teachers at Extensions and his amazing agents at Talent X Alexander! Instagram: @elivandergriend