CONTRIBUTED PHOTO — Marshalltown native Nicholas Cooper made their Broadway debut Oct. 29 at The Stephen Sondheim Theatre in the production “& Juliet.”

NEW YORK, NY — They say the neon lights are bright on Broadway — and its stars shine even brighter. Marshalltown native Nicholas Cooper made their Broadway debut Oct. 29 at The Stephen Sondheim Theatre in the production “& Juliet.”

From their childhood days performing in Christmas musicals at First Presbyterian Church, to shows staged at Miller Middle School, Marshalltown High School and Marshalltown Community Theatre, Cooper says they knew they were born to entertain. Local acting credits include Peter Pan in “Peter Pan,” Bert in “Mary Poppins,” Lumiere in “Beauty and the Beast,” the Scarecrow in “The Wizard of Oz” and Ren McCormack in “Footloose.”

Cooper graduated from MHS in 2017, and that fall began classes at New York University Tisch School of the Arts, earning a BFA in drama.

“Tisch is its own institution within the greater NYU. There are seven different acting programs, and I was in the New Studio on Broadway, which is the musical theater intensive school,” they noted. “There are other schools of different acting styles and ways of studying acting, and a program specific to on-camera work.”

Toward the end of their college experience, the COVID-19 shutdown happened.

“Everything was on Zoom, so we were almost forced to learn on camera technique by being in this mode all the time,” they said.

Upon signing with the talent agency CESD earlier this year, more opportunities materialized.

“They’ve gotten me into rooms that I never would have been able to get into without their representation,” Cooper added.

Cooper recently appeared in a Doritos commercial that premiered during the VMAs and starred rapper Flo Milli. Since October, they’ve appeared in the show “& Juliet” as ensemble character Lennox.

“Every ensemble member has a name and is a character within the story,” Cooper said. “I’m a swing in the show, which means that I know six of what we call the ‘Romeo crew’ tracking throughout the entire show. My job as a swing is when any of them call out, we decide who goes on based off of a priority list of first covers, second covers and third covers. So, if the show is working always perfectly, I’m never in the show. Technically Lennox is filling in for whichever character is out that day.”

Cooper is also an understudy for May — a non-binary character.

“Swinging is really the backbone of theatrical productions. During COVID, swings got a lot of recognition for saving shows constantly,” they said. “It’s something that we don’t talk about a lot, but it is a crazy job and a very important job that I feel honored to do for this show.”

Cooper said they typically have 30 minutes to two hours notice for stepping in and appearing in the show when a regular cast member is unavailable.

“It’s an adrenaline rush for sure,” they said with a laugh.

“& Juliet” is a play based on a book by David West Read, a writer and executive producer on “Schitt’s Creek.” The show asks what if Juliet hadn’t decided to kill herself over Romeo, and is staged as a coming-of-age jukebox musical.

Cooper cited Amy Ose, director of vocal music at MHS, as a supportive person during their adolescence.

“I have watched Nick grow from a precocious ninth grade student to the Broadway performer they are today. The talent and drive Nick displayed even as a young performer is what has allowed them to continue to find such wonderful success,” she said. “I am immensely proud of Nick’s Broadway debut and having played a small role in the path that led them there. I am even more proud, however, to call Nick a friend because while they have found great success, they are still as genuine as when I first met them.”

Cooper also credits their mother Margaret Fehrle for being a contributor to their success.

“When I was growing up, I understood how seriously she took her job as a doctor. She showed me the importance of not only having a strong work ethic, but caring deeply for the people around you. I have held on tightly to those two ideas throughout my schooling and career,” Cooper said.

While some may regard appearing on Broadway as the pinnacle of success, Cooper encourages aspiring performers to seek opportunities no matter where they live.

“I’ve worked on cruise lines as a professional dancer. I’ve worked around the country doing regional theater in beautiful, amazing theaters. But the only time I’ve ever flown on a stage was with MCT at the Martha-Ellen Tye Playhouse. It was a magical moment I’ll never forget,” they said. “It’s just so weird that anyone would ever be so specific with where they want to pursue their art, because the world is begging for art and for theater all the time.”

To learn more, visit: www.ncooper99.com.