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.