Nathaniel Shaw (director)

Nathaniel Shaw is an American theatre director, choreographer, and actor. He began his career as a dancer with the Paul Taylor Dance Company[1] and later became the founding and artistic director of The Active Theater in New York.[2] He was Associate Choreographer for the Broadway production and first national tour of Once (musical)[3][4] In 2015 he became the Development Director for the Tony and Olivier Award-winning producers, Glass Half Full Productions.[5] In July 2016, he became Artistic Director of Virginia Repertory Theatre in Richmond.[6] In October 2021, Shaw launched The New Theatre, dedicated to advancing artform and industry, with a primary focus on new play development.

Nathaniel Shaw
Born
Other namesNathaniel Keuter
Alma materUniversity of Northern Colorado
Occupation(s)Theatre director, artistic director, choreographer, actor, theatre producer, dancer
SpouseLisa Rumbauskas

Early life

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Shaw was born in Menlo Park, California, the son of modern dancers Cliff Keuter and Elina Mooney. He received a BA in Musical Theater from the University of Northern Colorado.[7]

Career

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From 2004 - 2006, Shaw was a dancer with the Paul Taylor Dance Company. Featured roles included Mercuric Tidings, Lost Found Lost, Arden Court, Sea to Shining Sea, and many others. He originated roles in Spring Rounds and Banquet of Vultures.[8]

In 2007 he played Will Parker alongside Kelli O'Hara and Will Chase in the production of Oklahoma! that was presented by Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma City for the centennial of statehood.[9]

He was a founder and the artistic director for The Active Theater, which had its inaugural season in 2009 and an inaugural gala featuring performances by Tony Award-winner David Hyde Pierce, Tony Award-winner Chuck Cooper and Tony Award-nominee Dee Hoty.[10][11] During his six seasons there, he directed the first New York City revival of The Violet Hour, and the production was nominated for an Innovative Theater Award for Best Revival.[12] He also directed the world premieres of Bridgeboy and Body Language.[13][14]

In 2013, he became an Associate Choreographer for Tony Award-nominee Steven Hoggett during the Broadway production of Once. In addition to the Broadway run, Shaw worked on the first national tour and traveled with Tony Award-winning director John Tiffany and Music Supervisor Martin Lowe to cast productions overseas.[8]

In 2015 he directed Peter and the Starcatcher for Virginia Repertory Theatre.[15][16] In that same year he joined Glass Half Full, best known for producing The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (play), as their Director of New Plays, identifying future projects.[17]

In July 2016, he became Artistic Director of Virginia Repertory Theatre.[18][6] During his four year tenure at Virginia Rep, Nathaniel directed the World Premiere of The End of War by David L. Robbins,[19] the regional premiere of In the Heights,[20] the World Premiere of River Ditty by Matthew Mooney Keuter, West Side Story, Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, The 39 Steps, and Once (a co-production with The Fulton Theatre.[21]

In October 2021, alongside Executive Director Vida Williams, Shaw launched The New Theatre in Richmond, Virginia, devoted to advancing art form and industry, with a primary focus on new play development.

Personal life

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Shaw is married to choreographer and dancer Lisa Rumbauskas.[22]

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References

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  1. ^ Magic is low-tech in Peter Pan backstory Richmond Times-Dispatch
  2. ^ The Active Theatre
  3. ^ Nathaniel Shaw, Jessica Lee Goldyn and More to Star in NC Theatre's A CHORUS LINE. Broadway World
  4. ^ Cortland Rep Theatre Announces 44th Season Ithaca.com
  5. ^ Tom Wopat to Lead Industry Readings of Bob Stewart's AMERICAN INHERITANCE Broadway World
  6. ^ a b Announcing our new Artistic Director, Nathaniel Shaw VirginiaRep.org
  7. ^ Nathaniel Shaw biography at Broadway World
  8. ^ a b Broadwayworld.com Bio
  9. ^ Adam Hetrick , Zachary Pincus-Roth: Bran' New State: Oklahoma!, Starring Kelli O'Hara, Celebrates State's Centennial Playbill
  10. ^ The Active Theatre
  11. ^ Active Theatre Company Features Hyde Pierce, Cooper, Hoty and More at Inaugural Autumn Gala Broadway World
  12. ^ New York Innovative Theatre Awards - 2012 Nominees
  13. ^ Amber Gallery: Review of Body Language NYTheatre.com
  14. ^ USTownhall RealStories presents the cast of BRIDGEBOY USTownhall
  15. ^ Virginia Rep: Peter and the Starcatcher archive
  16. ^ Joan Tupponce: Peter and the Starcatcher is a Richly Imaginative and Gloriously Funny Adventure Richmond Family Magazine
  17. ^ American Theatre Editors "Virginia Rep Names Nathaniel Shaw New Artistic Director" American Theatre
  18. ^ Katherine Calos: New artistic director for Virginia Rep "is a good fit" 'Richmond Times-Dispatch'
  19. ^ Tony Farrell: Theater Review: “The End of War” Richmond Times-Dispatch and Richmond.com
  20. ^ Tony Farrell: Theatre Review: “In the Heights” Richmond Times-Dispatch and Richmond.com
  21. ^ River Ditty - Virginia Rep site
  22. ^ N.J. Dance Theatre Ensemble's 'The Nutcracker' features dancers from Cranford and Westfield NJ.com True Jersey