Artist Profile: Nicky Chier
Nicky in Angels in America Part I
Nicky is a 4th year student artist at UW Madison. He studies psychology, education, and theatre. Nicky is from the small town of Berlin, Wisconsin, where he discovered his love for performing arts. He has since done multiple University Theatre productions (Peter and the Starcatcher - Smee, Macbeth - The Porter, Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson, Apt. 2B, Angels in America Part I: Millennium Approaches - Prior Walter). He also is a passionate writer and director, most recently premiering “Stupid F***ing Landlord: a Play about the Madison Housing Crisis” with InterMission Theatre. He hopes to keep theatre in his life as much as possible as he continues to learn.
Nicky and castmate in Holmes and Watson
How do you think your interests in psychology, education and art influence each other?
Each of these disciplines is, ultimately, a form of communication. In a simplified view — art is the sharing of the soul, psychology is the understanding and sharing of the mind, and education is the sharing of knowledge. I often use my psychological knowledge when working on plays to understand characters and their responses to their world — I use the mind to understand the soul of art. When I tutor, I connect to kids through art to better their understanding of the lesson — I use my soul to share knowledge. And of course, you cannot hope to work in education without first grasping the minds of your students - knowing the mind to know how to put knowledge in it.
Would you be willing to share one of your first formative experiences of theater?
One that comes to mind right now is seeing my local high school’s production of The Sound of Music when I was nine years old. It was the first time I saw a live performance. It was an incredibly tangible and large show. I remember for the first few scenes, they only used the front half of the stage. It felt cramped, but I was too enamored by the people singing to us to notice. Then, the curtain opened and revealed an entire house! My nine-year-old brain was blown away!
It was a confluence of so many disciplines I could barely wrap my head around! There was an entire orchestra playing music, people on stage singing, dancing, and acting (there was even a child my age in the show!), and an entire design team that made all the set pieces, costumes, lights, and sounds create an extremely immersive and entertaining world.
At one point the Nazi officers ran through the audience and shined a flashlight in my face - I was terrified. It was the first moment I realized how viscerally theatre could make one feel.
Nicky in Holmes and Watson
What has been a piece of feedback or advice that you hold close to? Do you have any go-to words of advice for others who need a boost when they are struggling or unsure of their art/craft?
I have a terrible memory when it comes to this stuff. I’m bad with conversations and words, but something I have consistently heard throughout my life is to not overdo it. I often find myself pushing too hard and doing too much. At one point last year I was working four jobs, taking 17 credits, and writing and directing a full-length show. I had zero time for myself. When you overdo it and don’t take time for yourself, you stop living. And when you stop living, you have no fuel for the art your creating.
I used to be so self-conscious and self-deprecating for having free time; I realize now that without that free time for myself, I would not have found my passion for art.
What are 2 to 3 exhibitions, concerts, books and/or book talks, spoken word events and/or films you're hoping to check out this season in Wisconsin or virtually?
University Theatre’s staged reading of Angels In America, Part II: Perestroika in the Mitchell theatre from Sept 18-22. I am currently in Part I and this is a wonderful opportunity to experience the full story of Angels on stage. (FYI: Part II has a different cast). Dancing at Lughnasa at APT. I love APT and their outdoor theatre.