‘Hamilton’ Cast Members Join Mr. Billy for Hip-Hop Storytime

The Smith Center for the Performing Arts and the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District presented an extra-special Hip-Hop Storytime as cast members from touring Broadway musical “Hamilton” joined host Mr. Billy onstage at Whitney Library on May 23. Performers included Blaine Alden Krauss and Kendyl Sayuri Yokoyama.

Whitney Library Branch Manager Billy Allen created Hip-Hop Storytime as a fun way to engage children in reading through movement and rhythm. Capitalizing on his “Mr. Billy” character from his popular @3KingsVision Instagram and YouTube channels, Allen emphasizes the importance of creating positive reading experience for children and their families.

“Mr. Billy” appears regularly in the Whitney Library, and library customers are very familiar with his passion for neighborhood outreach, engaging programming and exceptional customer service, which have made a profound impact on the community. Allen is a recipient of the City of Las Vegas Compassionate City Award and was recently named the James Partridge Outstanding African American Information Professional by the Black Caucus of the American Library Association. He was also featured on Season 9 of the Netflix series “Queer Eye.”