Interview with Nick Cartell

Actor Nick Cartell talks about how he got into acting, his favorite spot to catch a sunrise, and his favorite places to visit. He also shares words of wisdom for aspiring theater actors.

Lauren – Travel and Write Today: How did you initially decide to become an actor? Did you grow up in a musical home? How old were you when you first took the stage?

Nick Cartell: I grew up singing in choirs. Growing up in Arizona, it wasn’t until sixth or seventh grade, when I went to see a children’s theater production of Cinderella during a field trip – I said to myself “I can do that…”, I loved singing, and performing, and I’d do productions for my friends at family at home. This is where I got my acting bug. I started doing community theater, and that was the beginning of the end. I performed all throughout school, and then started performing professionally. I went to Tokyo with Disney, met my wife who is from Michigan (15 minutes from where I was born), and we moved to New York in 2008 (and we’ve been there ever since).

TWT: I know you were born in Michigan, and then moved to Arizona. Do you ever get back to either state? What are some of your favorite spots in Arizona?

NC: My dad is an architect, and Arizona was exploding in Real Estate Design, and we moved out there. Arizona is the only home I’ve known, but it is cool to say that I am originally from Michigan.

My dad moved out of Arizona, but we still have extended family and friends there, and we visited in 2021. The tour heads to Arizona in December (Arizona State University) – it is nice to get back there.

In December all the holiday decorations will be up – it is my favorite time of year. We will do the Zoo Lights, and the Botanical Gardens (they are gorgeous).

TWT: What is one of your favorite roles you’ve played? I saw Les Misérables in November at the Providence Performing Arts Center, for the third time, and it was magical – it was by far my favorite production.

NC: This role as Jean Valjean is the pinnacle role in musical theater. To be able to portray this role has been incredibly rewarding. When I look back at all the things I’ve done… I was a cover on Broadway, partial swing and principal understudy in Jesus Chris Superstar. I’ve been in all different shows as an actor, and each time it takes a piece of you, and there is a piece that you take with you, and you connect with the character. It just adds to the tapestry of my life in the arts.

I was exposed to Les Misérables in middle school, while at the Valley Youth Theater. I was performing in my first play, and during a lunch break, someone played a Les Miz cassette on a boom box. I remember sitting there and listening to it, and then I eventually watched the 10^th Anniversary on PBS – I was blown away. I was a kid who grew up with Musical Theater, and I still have to pinch myself that Cameron Mackintosh knows who I am.

I played JVJ from 2017-2019, and when I left it was time, but I knew it wasn’t a “goodbye”, it was a “see you soon”. I knew I couldn’t say goodbye to the character, or to this show. I was happy they called me to come back, I was ready, and my family has been out on the road with me. I travel with my wife and daughter, and I can show my daughter the country, and I’ve been able to revisit this show that means so much more to me now – it meant something then, but now as a father, I have an even deeper appreciation, and connection to JVJ.

TWT: I first discovered Les Misérables in middle school, as well. We sang a medley for chorus, and I was taken aback by the music, and the lyrics. I’ve been listening ever since, and I love introducing others to this beautiful play. You were truly made for the role of JVJ.

TWT: What is your favorite book?

NC: I like so many different books; I love the Harry Potter series, and the last book I read was Les Misérables (Victor Hugo). Some of my favorites are the books I read to my daughter – currently, Five Minute Disney Stories, and No Matter What (Debi Gliori). We’ve read this one since she was a baby, and she has it memorized, and we do the voices.

TWT: I really need to read HP!

TWT: I know you spend a lot of time on the road, what are some of your favorite places that you’ve visited? What are some cities/countries/states that are still on your list?

NC: Chicago – big city with a Midwest feel; San Francisco (it has been fun to visit the different neighborhoods), Seattle, Greenville, SC is gorgeous (great outdoor park, with huge river that runs right through it); Arizona, and Michigan (the upper peninsula). We’d love to get back to Japan, it is one of our favorite places, and we want to take our daughter there; I love Paris and Italy – I was very fortunate during the last tour, my wife and I did our ten-year anniversary trip to Paris, Rome, the Amalfi Coast, Florence – all places that we’d love to visit again – they are all special.

I have a great job, and I get to travel for a living. We see so many great cities, and while we are visiting we have our local coffee shop, grocery store, and train station – living in the city makes it more memorable for us.

TWT: I went to graduate school in Chicago, it is a beautiful city. I need to get to Italy soon, it has been on my list since I was a child.

TWT: What is your go-to coffee/tea order, and from where?

NC: Starbucks – cold brew with sweetener, for something warm, a dirty chai with oat milk. This morning, we ended up in a little coffee shop, and I had a turmeric latte, which is also a little fun. We like to try something a little different.

TWT: Where is your favorite place to watch the sunrise/sunset?

NC: Catching a sunset in Arizona is pretty amazing, I’ve been to a lot of places, but there is something about the way the sky looks in Arizona – it is a painting.

One of the most memorable sunrises was when I was in Napa with my wife, on the Phantom of the Opera tour. We did a sunrise hot air balloon ride – it was incredible to see the sun break over the mountains, as it filled the valley with light. Pictures don’t do it justice.

TWT: What advice would you give to aspiring theater actors?

NC: It is twofold, during my first trip, to New York City, I went to see Miss Saigon. I stopped one of the main actors, and asked “what advice would you give to someone that wants to do this?” They suggested listening to the soundtracks, sing along with it, memorize it, and figure out your own sound, you do not want to be a carbon copy of what is already out there.

Get involved in theater in any way you can, work in any way that you can, even if you don’t get the ensemble or the leads. Work on the crew, costumes, build the sets, work the lighting, work as a stage manager. The more you can do within any aspect of theater, the more you will appreciate what everyone has to go through for just one show – it takes a village.

For Les Miz, we have 35 members of the acting company, and there are 28 on stage every night, but we are a company of 85 people out on the road, with the orchestra and crew (and we have local crew members to help us run the show, as well). There’s another 120 backstage, helping to make the show happen – these are the people the audiences will not see; they are the true heroes of the production that never get the applause.

If I wasn’t an actor, I’d be teacher, and I do teach when I am not out on the road. I was paired with a school in Rochester, NY, and I did Zoom classes with the students – I gave them an education in theater – I had them hear from other actors, the musical director, stage manager, and the crew working on sets, props, costumes, etc. – anyone who makes the production run smoothly. When we made it to the school, the kids were blown away by what they were being taught. One student came up to me, and said that they wanted to work in theater, but wouldn’t want to be up on the stage, they never realized they could do hair and makeup! It is always inspiring when you can give back.

Do as much as you can to make you appreciate the journey – it is rewarding and life-changing.