Hello Beautiful People,
Nathan Madden is a dancer, singer, and actor, and has an absolutely fascinating life story. He is a graduate of Juilliard, has been seen in various regional theaters, and is currently in CHICAGO on Broadway. I’m thrilled to say that Nathan was able to sit down with me, and I know you all will love this exclusive Q&A.
Ladies & Gents, meet Nathan Madden…
MM: Did you always want to be an actor/singer/dancer?
NM: Yes, I always did. When I was a kid I always used to come home from school and watch The Wizard of Oz, and was always doing shows and musicals as a kid. I think the ability to always tell a good story has fascinated me my whole life, that for a brief period of time, you’re captivated by someone else’s vision. Growing up, my parents were very musical. My mother was an opera singer, my father is insanely good on the harmonica, my sister is a country singer and currently lives in Nashville, but I’m the first person in my family who decided that I was going to make a career out of it.
MM: What made you choose to study ballet as a kid?
NM: I started as an ice skater, actually. I lived in North Dakota, and it was either ice-skating or hockey for your choice of afterschool activities, and not much else! And I’m not very violent – I don’t like to bleed, I don’t like to fight – so I picked ice-skating. I excelled pretty quickly, and was sent to do pair skating. My coach had said that I needed to take ballet, but there wasn’t a studio, so my mom and another lady in town started a ballet studio…in North Dakota. That’s how I got into dance.
MM: When you look back on the trajectory of your career thus far, what roles are most memorable to you?
NM: When I got Ren in Footloose in Houston, it really changed me. I was good at it, it was the first big role that I had, and it reaffirmed that this was what I wanted to do. Also, when I was in the ballet, “Les Chambres des Jacques,” by Aszure Barton. It was weird and so fun.
MM: CHICAGO is the longest running American musical, and it’s your Broadway debut. What’s it like to be part of such a production?
NM: It’s an honor to be a part of this community. Being here in the city and going to school at the same time was hard, but I was very committed to school and am happy that I didn’t drop out to do a show. CHICAGO has come at the perfect time in my life. It’s a wonderful thing to be able to go to work, do our art form, and then have a life outside of that. I’m very thankful. The cast is awesome, the direction is brilliant – I’m just happy to be a part of it all.
MM: Just for fun, what books are permanently on your bookshelf?
NM: My Bible, it’s my source of encouragement and truth. It makes me happy and confident. The Five People You Meet in Heaven, is there too, such a good book. The first book I ever read was Santa Clause is a Janitor. Silly , I know.
MM: Just for fun, if you were stranded on a desert island, what movies would you want to have with you?
NM: Limitless, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, and The Green Mile. Then there’s always my childhood favorite again, The Wizard of Oz.
MM: What sound do you love and what sound do you hate?
NM: I despise the sound of people eating. It drives me crazy. I love the sound of wind; I think it’s magnificent when the sound of wind can distort the sound of a microphone, too. That’s really powerful.
MM: What’s the best piece of advice that you would offer to a high school and/or college student who wishes to pursue a career in theater?
NM: Say yes. No matter what is being thrown in front of you, have the courage to say yes to it. Think outside the box, try something new, accept the challenges that come and you’ll be so thankful that you did – they’ll make you a better person, they’ll shape your deeper as an artist. My awesome dance professor, Risa Steinberg, would say this – “reinvent yourself all the time.” You’re changing everyday, so you can’t stay the same. You have to keep learning, growing, exploring. You have to constantly work on yourself and your art; otherwise you’ll be left behind.
MM: In today’s economy, arts programs are being cut. What reasons would you give to a politician for preserving the arts?
NM: Art teaches discipline. No matter what art form you’re studying, you have to sacrifice something to study your craft – whether it’s not being as social on the weekends or not indulging in certain foods – there’s a certain amount of time and energy that has to be devoted to your craft. But all this sacrifice teaches you that you are part of a message that is bigger than yourself, and that you’re part of a community that is depending on your to do your part.
MM: What’s next for Nathan Madden?
NM: I am thrilled to continue to challenge myself as a choreographer and work with awesome dancers both here in NYC and around the country. We’ll see. I am also learning more and more about the TV and Film scene. I want to be in, and eventual make movies!
MM: Who is/was your greatest teacheNM: Gene Kelly, he dances like a man. Matthew Dibble, when I did Come Fly Away with Twyla Tharp he played one of the leads – he’s one of the manliest men I know, but he’s also an insanely talented ballet dancer. Risa Steinberg, my professor at Juilliard. She’s relentless in her discipline and getting you to discover your truest point of view, not building your opinions on others. She’s one of the most inspirational people I’ve ever met.
Thank you, Nathan!
Live, Love, Learn,