About Nicholas
BIO
Nicholas grew up in Haddonfield, New Jersey and now resides in New York City. His career has taken him to many fascinating places theatrically, performing in about 400 productions ranging from musical theatre to Film and TV to opera, from Shakespeare to singing with the London Symphony Orchestra, to performing as a whirling dervish at LaMama, ETC, to directing opera tours in Europe. As he says, “Life is a journey and an adventure and is meant to be savored and cherished.”
He earned a BA in Theater from James Madison University and an MM in vocal performance from Kent State University (magna cum laude). He has performed with Salt Lake Acting Company, Sharon Playhouse, Mad Cow Theatre, Cleveland Opera, Opera Carolina, Santa Fe Opera, Glimmerglass Opera, Ohio Light Opera (70 productions!), Emerging Artists Theatre, TOSOS, Texas Opera Theater, Delaware Valley Opera, Nevada Opera and Virginia Opera. Nicholas performed extensively with Seaside Music Theater in Daytona Beach (more than 40 productions) and was honored with the Marvin Samuels Award for Best Supporting Actor three times, as Herbie in “Gypsy”, Gus/Growltiger/Bustopher Jones in “Cats”, and as Oscar in “Sweet Charity”. Other favorite roles at SMT include Fredrik in “A Little Night Music” and The Chairman in "The Mystery of Edwin Drood".
At SMT, Nicholas jumped into the world of Shakespeare, performing the roles of Jaques in “As You Like It”, Malvolio in "Twelfth Night", Hortensio in “The Taming of the Shrew” and Friar Lawrence in “Romeo and Juliet”, all under the direction of the inimitable Lester Malizia (RIP dear friend). He is also a member of Rebekah’s Readings, a Zoom Shakespeare group formed during the pandemic, and has recently been a part of Bill Rauch’s Shakespeare Club on Zoom (Sir Toby in “Twelfth Night”, Worcester in “Henry IV Part 1”).
Nicholas has been directing (and often choreographing his own productions) for 20 years (“The Pirates of Penzance”, “The Gondoliers”, “Street Scene”, “The Dialogues of the Carmelites”, “Iolanthe”, “Patience”, “Utopia Limited”, “Romance/Romance”, “Baby”, “Countess Maritza”, “The Merry Widow”, “Cox and Box” and “Trial By Jury”, “You’re Gonna Love Tomorrow”, “The World Goes ‘Round”, etc.). He has traveled across the pond to direct European tours of “Hänsel und Gretel” and “Die Zauberflöte” (currently in its 15th year!) for Melinda Thompson’s Great Performances and directed Tri-Cities Opera’s “H.M.S. Pinafore” in April, 2019.
In the world of Film and TV, Nicholas’ credits include roles in Michael Almereyda’s “Tesla” (as Ed the Organist, opposite Ethan Hawke), as Mikhail in “Daredevil”, Arkham Guard in the series finale of “Gotham”, Steve Shafer in “When Sharks Attack”, Tim Wicks in “Redrum”, Hostage in “The Punisher”, Lt. John Neale in “Scorned: Love Kills”, and as Bruce Davison in “Celebrity Ghost Stories”. Also, featured moments in the films “The Wolf of Wall Street” (customs official) , “St. Vincent” (honored firefighter), and “Freeheld” (cowboy dancer).
When not performing or directing, Nicholas also teaches voice lessons and coaches acting, and is proficient on the piano. He also enjoys designing character makeup (his character, Tupthor, led the NYC Halloween Parade a few years ago!), is a photographer and loves to travel and hike. He is a proud member of AEA and SAGAFTRA,
More About Nicholas
RECORDINGS
PLAYWRITING
PLAYWRITING
Nicholas can be heard on several recordings including the lead role of Falsacappa in Offenbach's THE BRIGANDS, the tille role in EL CAPITAN, Major-General Stanley in THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE, and The Notary in THE GRAND DUKE (all from Ohio Light Opera via Albany Records) and on several PS Classics musicals (Sweet Bye and Bye, Something for the Boys, Sweet Little Devil, Misia, and The Golden Apple).
PLAYWRITING
PLAYWRITING
PLAYWRITING
Nicholas has been writing plays too! His full length, two act play, THE TROUBADOUR, had its first reading in New York City just before the pandemic hit.
"How does a Presbyterian from the suburbs become a Sufi Whirling Dervish in the urban wilds of New York City? Matthew is busily living the Bohemian lifestyle of a singing actor in the
Nicholas has been writing plays too! His full length, two act play, THE TROUBADOUR, had its first reading in New York City just before the pandemic hit.
"How does a Presbyterian from the suburbs become a Sufi Whirling Dervish in the urban wilds of New York City? Matthew is busily living the Bohemian lifestyle of a singing actor in the late 1990s. His adventures take him through unexpected and comically profound discoveries as he navigates a variety of odd jobs in old choir lofts, temple basements and way-off-Broadway theaters. With the help of a colorful collection of friends, lovers and strangers, will Matthew find the answers… to life… itself?"
Also available, THE TWO PIXIES, a hilarious one-act horror story set during the wee hours of Halloween at a mysterious gay bar.
TEACHING
PLAYWRITING
TEACHING
NIcholas has 7 years experience as an Assistant Professor (James Madison University and University of Central Florida) teaching musical theater voice, acting, opera and directing. He continues to teach master classes and to direct on the university circuit and is available for private and group voice lessons and acting coaching in person or online.