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    Columbus Makes Art Presents Nicholas Wilson and How He Tells a Story Without Saying a Word


    Nicholas Wilson, metaperformer at Shadowbox Live

    “I didn’t feel like I was learning enough at school. Every show at Shadowbox taught me so much more.”

    — Nicholas Wilson, Metaperformer

    Nicholas Wilson is the assistant director of operations and education, the assistant choreographer, and a metaperformer at the Columbus performing arts company, Shadowbox Live. He started out as Shadowbox’s first performance intern and has since spent 12 years with the company. See him in Holiday Hoopla through Dec. 23 and in Not So Silent Night through Dec. 18.

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    Lydia: How did you get started in the arts?
    Nicholas: At six years old, I began singing and dancing at my church—that was my first real introduction to music and dance. From there, a director at my middle school sought me out and said, “I have a show I really want you to be in.” I didn’t even audition. That’s when the bug really bit. I went on to be one of only four freshmen cast in my high school’s spring musical, and I knew at that point that this is what I wanted to do.

    Lydia: What led you to Shadowbox Live?
    Nicholas: During my sophomore year of high school, there was a notice that Shadowbox Live was looking for performance interns for Back to the Garden and both my drama and choir teachers told me I needed to apply. I hadn’t heard of Shadowbox Live before and I wasn’t even that into rock ‘n’ roll, but I auditioned, got some great feedback and was ultimately cast as the first performance intern.

    I just kept asking if I could be involved in the next show and the next and the next show until I became part-time in 2011. I was in college and doing Shadowbox Live shows in the summer, but I didn’t feel like I was learning enough at school. Every show at Shadowbox taught me so much more. One day, the staff just said to me, “You know you can just stay here, right?”

    Nicholas Wilson in rehearsal, and performing in Not So Silent Night. Photo by Buzz Crisafulli.
    Nicholas Wilson in rehearsal, and performing in Not So Silent Night. Photo by Buzz Crisafulli.

    Lydia: What does performance mean to you?
    Nicholas: I believe dance saved my life. When I was younger, I went through a phase where I didn’t talk a lot. I didn’t feel heard for the first time until dance became my thing. Now, I consider myself a dancer who sings, acts and plays a few instruments. I just want to help people feel the power of dance. Dance can tell a story without saying a word.

    Lydia: Who inspires you?
    Nicholas: My inspiration is my family. My mother and grandmother have always pushed me to be the best I could ever be. They always told me, “Do what you want to make yourself happy,” and that’s what I always remember when I am up against adversaries.

    Nicholas Wilson assisting with choreography. Photo by Buzz Crisafulli.
    Nicholas Wilson assisting with choreography. Photo by Buzz Crisafulli.

    Lydia: What is your guilty pleasure?
    Nicholas: I wouldn’t consider this guilty, but I love elephants. Anytime someone is at my house, I joke that they should do a scavenger hunt to find all of the elephants in my space. And if you look at my Instagram feed, it’s all elephants, fashion and theater. Pinterest, too. Also, RuPaul’s Drag Race.

    Lydia: What’s on your playlist right now?
    Nicholas: “Renaissance” by Beyoncé. The full one-hour album. All the way there.

    Lydia: What’s the best thing about the Columbus art scene right now?
    Nicholas: To me, the best thing is the span of styles. There are traditional musicals and plays, new works, things that are innovative and fresh. Anyone who is a theatergoer or into entertainment can walk into any venue in this city and leave with something new to take away from it.

    See Nicholas in Shadowbox Live’s Holiday Hoopla through Dec. 23 and in Not So Silent Night through Dec. 18. Tickets can be purchased at shadowboxlive.org.

    Columbus Makes Art Presents is a bi-weekly column brought to you by the Greater Columbus Arts Council – supporting and advancing the arts and cultural fabric of Columbus. The column is a project of the Art Makes Columbus campaign, telling the inspiring stories of the people and organizations who create Columbus art. Learn more about local artists, organizations, public art and events at ColumbusMakesArt.com.

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    Lydia Weyrich
    Lydia Weyrichhttps://irvinpr.com/
    Lydia Weyrich is an account executive at Irvin PR.
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