Bill Berloni: Theatrical Animal Trainer and Animal Rescue Advocate at Palace Theater
Theatrical animal trainer and animal rescue advocate Bill Berloni shares the story behind his remarkable career during a special UPstaged presentation at Palace Theater on Sunday, October 25, 2026, from 2 to 4 pm. The event commemorates the 50th anniversary of Annie launching at the Goodspeed Opera House and includes a dog adoption event earlier in the day.
Berloni’s unique career began when he was volunteering at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam. He was offered the opportunity to join Actors’ Equity Association on the condition that he find and train a dog for the original production of Annie. He adopted his first Sandy, launching a career that would make him one of the most recognized theatrical animal trainers in the industry.
Over the years, Berloni has worked on 34 Broadway productions, including Gypsy, Left on Tenth, The Ferryman, The Crucible, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill, A Christmas Story the Musical, Legally Blonde, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Alice in Wonderland, Oliver!, Anything Goes and The Wizard of Oz. His work has also included hundreds of Off-Broadway productions, national tours, regional theatre projects, television and film.
Animal rescue and welfare remain central to Berloni’s work. He serves as Director of Animal Behavior at the Humane Society of New York and runs William Berloni Theatrical Animals, Inc. with his wife and business partner, Dorothy. Based on their Connecticut farm, the company provides a home for active and retired animal performers while promoting animal welfare, adoption and responsible care.
Before the presentation, Palace Theater will host a dog adoption event from 10 am to 1 pm in the loading dock, in partnership with Brass City Rescue Society. Visitors can meet adoptable dogs, speak with the rescue team and learn more about fostering and volunteering.
The UPstaged presentation takes place at the Palace Theater, 100 East Main Street, Waterbury, Connecticut. Additional information is available at Bill Berloni: Theatrical Animal Trainer and Animal Rescue Advocate.
