DIRECTOR | CHOREOGRAPHER
Nathaniel Shaw is the Producing Artistic Director of the New Theatre at Firehouse, following the merger of Firehouse with The New Theatre, which Shaw launched during the Covid-19 related shutdown (www.firehousetheatre.org). He is the former Artistic Director of Virginia Repertory Theatre, where he directed Peter and the Starcatcher (7 Richmond Theatre Community Circle Nominations including Best Play and Best Direction), the World Premiere of The End of War (winner of 4 RTCC Awards) by David L. Robbins, the World Premiere of River Ditty (in collaboration with Glass Half Full Productions), In the Heights starring Arielle Jacobs, with Choreography by Karla Garcia (winner of 5 RTCC Awards including Best Direction), West Side Story (RTCC Award for Best Musical), Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, The 39 Steps, and Once (Co-Produced with The Fulton Theatre).
He was an Associate Choreographer for Once, supervising both the Broadway production and the First National Tour. He was the founder and Artistic Director of The Active Theater (NYC). He served as the New Play Development Director for Glass Half Full Productions, Tony and Olivier Award Winning Producers of Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time.
New York Directing credits include Touch with Libra Theatre Company at 59e59 starring Tony Award Winner Katrina Lenk and the first New York City revival of The Violet Hour (Innovative Theater Award nomination for Best Revival).
Other regional credits include the US Premiere of The Barber of Moville (RTCC Award for Best Original Work) Miracle on South Division Street (Syracuse Area Live Theater Award Nomination for Play of the Year), West Side Story, Spelling Bee, and A Chorus Line. Director/Choreographer credits include South Pacific starring Jessica Lee Goldyn, Hair and Hairpsray (a combined 20 New Hampshire Theatre Award nom’s including Best Production, Best Director, and Best Choreography for each), Legally Blonde, Damn Yankees starring Jessica Lee Goldyn and Dirk Lumbard, and Grease. Choreography includes Cinderella and The Wizard of Oz at Phoenix Theatre, Les Miserables, Fiddler on the Roof, and Annie.
On-stage highlights include iconic roles such as Curly in Oklahoma!, Zach in A Chorus Line, Pale in Burn This, Joe Hardy in Damn Yankees, Lt. Cable in South Pacific, Riff in West Side Story, Will Parker in Oklahoma! (alongside Kelli O’Hara and Will Chase), and Adam in Two Days of Grace at Middleham by Toni Press-Coffman at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Nathaniel also performed for three seasons as a featured dancer with The Paul Taylor Dance Company.
Richmond’s STYLE MAGAZINE named Nathaniel one of Richmond’sTop 40 Under 40. He is a Graduate of The University of Northern Colorado, and a member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society and Actors Equity Association.
"Nathaniel is a thoughtful, investigative and collaborative director who treats the material and his actors with the utmost respect. His genuine love for the craft, and his reverence for the rehearsal process, are palpable and contagious. I felt safe, encouraged, and delightfully challenged under his direction. And - bonus: he likes a good laugh."
-Katrina Lenk, TONY Winner
"Nathaniel Shaw is an actor's dream director. He is insightful, patient, encouraging and passionate. He is able to shine a light on the heart of the story we are telling, and bring unity and enthusiasm to the entire team in the process. As an actor, I trust him and his vision completely, and would be incredibly excited to work with him again"
-Arielle Jacobs, Aladdin
"Nathaniel Shaw is quite simply one of the best Director/Choreographers I have ever worked with. His thorough preparation and deep understanding of the work, combined with his clear and calm approach, establishes immediate and sustaining trust. Due to his immense talent, passion, commitment, and integrity, again and again, I jump at the chance to be in the room with him."
-Jessica Lee Goldyn, Moulin Rouge
"Nathaniel is a visionary, creating transformative experiences for artists and audiences alike"
-Josh Marin, Book of Mormon