Draper actor Jack Jewkes, age 9, has been on the road since September performing in the North American tour of “Les Misérables.” The tour is the adventure of a lifetime for Jewkes whose career goal is to act professionally on both stage and screen. He plays the role of Gavroche, an orphan of the Parisian streets, in the Broadway musical which will make its way to the Eccles Theater in Salt Lake City Feb. 26 through March 15. 

“We can’t believe how fast it’s been. It’s just wild!” Jack’s mom, Kim Jewkes, said of her son landing the role. It was only September 2023 when Jack auditioned for his first show, “A Christmas Carol” at Hale Center Theater in Orem. He played Tiny Tim in that production and fell in love with theater.

“I loved it so much,” he said. “That’s how I got into acting.”

Jack’s journey to become an actor began with his school choir. He discovered that he enjoyed singing at school and auditioned for Rise Up Children’s Choir. Amy Oakeson, founder and director of Rise Up, suggested to Jack’s parents that he give acting a try. “None of this would have happened without Amy,” Kim said. “She noticed that he had something special and encouraged him to try theater.”

After “A Christmas Carol,” Jack played Bruce in “Matilda” at Draper Historic Theatre, landed roles in five commercials and signed with Utah’s Talent Management Group. While Jack has never taken formal acting classes, he takes private singing lessons and has had an acting coach. 

A Los Angeles-based talent agency, Maxed Management, reached out to him over Instagram last July and started finding more audition opportunities for him, including the one for “Les Misérables.” Jack and his dad flew to New York City for callbacks.

The offer for “Les Misérables” came just after Jack was cast as Chip in “Beauty and the Beast” at Hale Center Theater last fall. The Jewkes family was disappointed to turn down that role but felt that joining a national tour was a once in a lifetime opportunity for Jack. The family’s decision to allow him to join the cast of “Les Misérables” was made after careful consideration. Jack’s mom and dad take turns accompanying him on the tour which means juggling work and care of Jack’s 12-year-old brother back in Draper. 

As Gavroche, Jack sings and acts as one of the Parisian street dwellers swept up in the June Rebellion of 1832. He has solo verses in several of the musical numbers and sometimes speaks to the audience, introducing other characters. Jack’s father, Kevin, explained, “Gavroche is not one of the revolutionary fighters, but he gets caught in a battle. He has to lie perfectly still on stage.”  

“I just stay limp,” Jack said, “It’s only two minutes!”

He is one of two young actors who alternate playing Gavroche on the tour. Both are present at each performance in case one has to fill in for the other at the last minute. Jack has two costume changes and applies makeup that looks like dirt to his arms, legs and face. 

While he relishes performing, Jack said that the best part of being in the show is the people that he meets. “I like that I make tons of friends,” he said. “I love to meet people and sign autographs at the stage door.” He was thrilled to meet the cast of “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” after one performance.

Depending on logistics, the touring company of “Les Misérables” travels by air or by bus from one city to another. “We get to see new places sometimes for as long as two weeks. I’ll be in Utah for three weeks,” Jack explained. 

In visiting cities across the United States, Jack has had many new experiences. He enjoyed shrimp dinners in Virginia and went trick or treating in Hartford, Connecticut. His family celebrated Christmas together in Chicago. Jack visited the zoo in Cincinnati, Ohio and cat cafés in Rochester and Syracuse, New York. “I miss my cat very much,” Jack said. 

He manages to keep up with his school work. “We have a set teacher and my school gave me workbooks so I could work on stuff on the tour. I go to ‘school’ every day. Everyone does different things. Everyone lives in different states and is in different grades.” He added that they go on field trips in many of the cities they perform in. 

By the time “Les Misérables” comes to Salt Lake City this month, Jack will have performed to approximately 150,000 people across the U.S. as Gavroche. It is quite an achievement for a 9-year-old actor. “He has the most confidence of maybe anyone I’ve ever met,” Kim said. 

Jack’s six-month contract with “Les Misérables” ends in April. He auditioned for and landed a guest role on a television drama series which has yet to air. Aside from that, the Jewkes family does not know what will be next for Jack. “His manager is very hard working,” Kim said. “She’s going to find more opportunities. We want to be selective and choose projects that will forward his career.” 

With the knowledge that the life of an actor has its ups and downs, Jack’s family supports his dreams of working on both stage and screen. His future is looking bright. 

Broadway at the Eccles will present Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg’s “Les Misérables” at the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Theater Feb. 26-March 15. The theater is located at 610 E. South Temple Street, #20, in Salt Lake City. For tickets and more information visit saltlakecity.broadway.com/shows/.λ