Will Burton: The Broadway Performer Winning Audiences Through Talent and Versatility
Inside His Broadway Career, Major Roles and Journey to Fame
Will Burton is an accomplished American actor, singer and dancer who has developed an impressive career in musical theatre. Best recognised for playing Adam Maitland in Beetlejuice, Burton has appeared in Broadway productions, national tours and Off-Broadway shows.
His professional journey reflects patience, discipline and artistic versatility. He began his Broadway career as an ensemble performer before earning increasingly prominent character roles. Productions such as An American in Paris, Holiday Inn, Hello, Dolly! and Kiss Me, Kate helped establish his reputation as a dependable musical theatre performer.
Burton later reached a wider audience through Beetlejuice, bringing warmth, humour and nervous energy to Adam Maitland. His ability to combine singing, acting, dancing and comedy has made him a respected figure within contemporary American theatre.
Will Burton Quick Information
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Will Burton |
| Profession | Actor, singer and dancer |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | University of Michigan |
| Qualification | Bachelor of Fine Arts |
| Graduation year | 2011 |
| Broadway debut | An American in Paris |
| Famous role | Adam Maitland in Beetlejuice |
| Other major role | Ambrose Kemper in Hello, Dolly! |
| Off-Broadway work | Between the Lines |
| Television credit | The Blacklist |
| Age | Not publicly confirmed |
| Active years | 2010s–present |
Who Is Will Burton?
Will Burton is a trained musical theatre performer known primarily for his work on Broadway. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 2011 before gaining experience in regional theatre.
His Broadway debut arrived in 2015 when he joined the original cast of An American in Paris. Since then, he has worked in several demanding productions requiring strong vocal ability, advanced dance technique and confident character acting.
Unlike performers who become closely associated with one specific skill, Burton has built his career as a complete theatre artist. He can support a production as an ensemble member, cover leading characters as an understudy or take responsibility for an important principal role.
Early Life and Education
Detailed information about Burton’s childhood, parents and birthplace has not been widely published. He has maintained a relatively private personal life, allowing his professional accomplishments to remain the main focus of his public identity.
Training at the University of Michigan
Burton attended the University of Michigan, an institution recognised for its competitive musical theatre programme. He graduated in 2011 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.
His education helped him develop the combination of acting, singing and dancing required for professional stage work. Musical theatre performers must also understand character development, vocal health, movement, teamwork and the physical demands of performing several times each week.
Moving into Professional Theatre
After graduation, Burton gained experience through regional productions. This stage of his career allowed him to strengthen his performance skills before entering the highly competitive Broadway industry.
Will Burton’s Broadway Debut
Burton made his Broadway debut in the original production of An American in Paris. The musical opened in 2015 and featured ballet-inspired choreography alongside the music of George and Ira Gershwin.
He appeared in the ensemble while understudying the characters Adam Hochberg and Henri Baurel. An understudy must learn an entire principal role and remain prepared to perform it with little notice. The responsibility demonstrated Burton’s reliability and range early in his Broadway career.
Performing in Holiday Inn
His next Broadway production was Holiday Inn, The New Irving Berlin Musical. Burton worked in the ensemble and appeared in additional featured parts, including the Cat’s Meow Dancer and a member of the KENO Quartet.
He also understudied Jim Hardy and Ted Hanover, two major characters. The production required polished dancing, strong musical timing and the ability to move comfortably between different responsibilities.
Breakthrough Role in Hello, Dolly!
A significant opportunity arrived when Burton was cast as Ambrose Kemper in the 2017 Broadway revival of Hello, Dolly!. Ambrose is a young artist who wishes to marry Ermengarde despite opposition from her uncle, Horace Vandergelder.
The character contributes romance, movement and physical comedy to the story. Burton’s lively performance allowed him to move beyond ensemble work and become more visible to Broadway audiences.
The production ran from April 2017 until August 2018. Playing an original principal role in a major revival represented an important step in his development as an actor.
Will Burton in Kiss Me, Kate
Burton returned to Broadway in the 2019 revival of Kiss Me, Kate. He played Gremio, one of Bianca’s comic suitors, while also appearing in the ensemble.
Balancing Several Responsibilities
In addition to playing Gremio, Burton understudied Bill Calhoun and Lucentio. Covering these characters required him to understand different vocal parts, dialogue, choreography and relationships within the story.
The production highlighted his ability to perform classical musical comedy. His expressive movement and natural comic timing suited a show filled with theatrical misunderstandings and energetic dance sequences.
Off-Broadway Work in Between the Lines
In 2022, Burton appeared in the Off-Broadway premiere of Between the Lines. The musical combines a modern teenage story with a fantasy world that exists inside a book.
The project allowed him to participate in a newer production rather than another revival of a classic musical. This credit expanded his theatre résumé and demonstrated that his performance style could adapt to contemporary material.
Success as Adam Maitland in Beetlejuice
Burton achieved one of his most recognisable roles when he joined the North American tour of Beetlejuice as Adam Maitland in December 2022.
Adam is a kind, cautious and somewhat anxious man who becomes a ghost alongside his wife, Barbara. The role requires comedy, emotional sincerity and the ability to react naturally within a visually spectacular production.
From National Tour to Broadway
Burton played Adam throughout the extensive national tour, which visited numerous cities across North America. Spending several years with the character allowed him to develop a detailed and confident interpretation.
In October 2025, he brought the role to Broadway when Beetlejuice opened for a limited return engagement at the Palace Theatre. Burton performed alongside Justin Collette as Beetlejuice, Isabella Esler as Lydia and Megan McGinnis as Barbara. The engagement concluded on 3 January 2026.
What Makes Will Burton a Strong Performer?
Burton’s greatest professional strength is versatility. His credits include dance-heavy ensembles, romantic supporting characters, comic roles and emotionally grounded principal performances.
Singing, Dancing and Acting
Productions such as An American in Paris and Holiday Inn require advanced movement skills, while Hello, Dolly! and Kiss Me, Kate depend heavily on character comedy. Beetlejuice combines humour with themes involving loss, family and human connection.
Burton’s ability to meet these different demands explains why he has continued working in major theatrical productions.
Connection with Theatre Audiences
He also connects with aspiring performers through coaching sessions, educational conversations and fan experiences. These activities allow audiences and theatre students to learn about auditions, performance technique and the realities of maintaining a Broadway career.
Personal Life
Burton keeps most details about his personal life away from public attention. His exact date of birth and age have not been confirmed in leading theatre biographies.
He is known to have an interest in photography and has shared aspects of his life as a dog owner through social media. However, his public presence remains centred mainly on theatrical work and creative projects.
Conclusion
Will Burton has progressed from a trained musical theatre graduate and regional performer to an established Broadway actor. His career includes original productions, celebrated revivals, Off-Broadway work and a major national tour.
His performance as Adam Maitland in Beetlejuice introduced his work to an even broader audience, while earlier roles proved his strength as a singer, dancer and comic actor. With professional discipline and genuine versatility, Burton continues to represent the dedication required to build a lasting career in musical theatre.
FAQs About Will Burton
What is Will Burton famous for?
Will Burton is best known for playing Adam Maitland in the North American tour and 2025 Broadway return of Beetlejuice.
What was Will Burton’s Broadway debut?
His Broadway debut was in the original cast of An American in Paris in 2015.
Where did Will Burton study?
He studied musical theatre at the University of Michigan and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 2011.
How old is Will Burton?
His exact age and date of birth have not been publicly confirmed by reliable theatre biographies.
Was Will Burton in Hello, Dolly!?
Yes. He played Ambrose Kemper in the Broadway revival of Hello, Dolly! from 2017 to 2018.
What role did Will Burton play in Kiss Me, Kate?
He appeared as Gremio and an ensemble member while understudying Bill Calhoun and Lucentio.
