We were lucky to catch up with Nathan Lubeck recently and have shared our conversation below.

Nathan, appreciate you joining us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

In my honest opinion, taking risks is a constancy our profession as performance. Every time we audition, self-tape, or perform to any degree, we take risks. It’s always a, “what if” situation, when we as performers put ourselves and our art on the line. In my personal career, I’ve taken both small and large risks, for example; Several years ago, I was in consideration for a production in which all the actors had to be well versed in circus training. I truthfully at the time had absolutely no training in the circus arts whatsoever, but I wasn’t about to let them know that! Upon being asked what talents/abilities I could bring to the table, I fibbed and told the creative team that I was able to both stilt-walk and juggle.

They were thrilled, I was terrified. Luckily, I knew a college at the time who was very well versed with these particular skills! That night and the couple weeks following, I spent countless hours walking on his make shift stilts on the uneven concrete outside his apartment, juggling anything I could get my hands on. Of course at first I was absolutely awful at both skills, and naturally started doubting my abilities. Though sure enough, after many more tried and failed attempts, I was able to walk, jog, kick, jump and dance on stilts, all while juggling! After that show had came to a close, I officially put those skills on my resume. I then went on to put those skills to good use in several other different productions!

I myself personally, would consider this story a good example of a small risk. While of course there was room for error/injury, I was able to utilize my dance training to prevail and learn some new skillsets! Shout out to my old friend AJ Klopach for all the tutoring! As for larger risks, in the not too distant past I had moved half way around the world to further my career and craft. Though I have been very fortunate to travel for work, it is always difficult putting life back home on hold for works sake.

Nathan, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Quit simply, I am an Entertainer, and always have been. If I had to put another name to it, I would consider myself a, “Jack of all Trades.” As were my parents, Chuck & Mickey Lubeck. Both were native Chicagoans, and were deeply involved in the arts, primarily the theatrical scene. I was originally born in Chicago IL. 1992, and once was I old enough, then toured with my parents on the Broadway National Tour of “CATS!” I had an extraordinary life growing up with parents who sang and danced around dressed up as cats. I felt it must’ve been every kids dream to have this kind of life, so safe to say I was hooked! Once my brother Joshua had been born, my parents decided to settle down and retired their performance careers to raise a family. By the time I had turned six, I was tap dancing in a dance studio that both my parents guested instructed for. A core memory of mine is doing a tap dance to the song, “Hit the Road Jack” with a group of girls and my makeshift motorcycle, (a bike with training wheels, covered in aluminum foil) all while wearing sunglasses in-doors, wearing my faux leather bomber jacket. Forgive the language but needless to say, I felt like a badass!
As I got older, I started taking more dance and musical theatre technique classes in my childhood hometown of Augusta GA. Through my elementary up to my high-school years, I performed and trained with a couple ballet companies and ballroom studios, as well as the local community theaters in the area. My mother even created her own business, “Musical Theatre Workshops” as an outlet for us and other children to expand our artistic interests! I was also home-schooled for most of my education, which meant even more time for creative outlets. As extra curricula’s, I would go to local high schools and choreograph their fall/spring productions. This along with choreographing for my mothers company, almost became a full time job, amongst my studies, day job, ect ect…
Soon after graduating high school, I immediately moved to Atlanta to begin my professional pursuit. My very first contract was at, “The Legacy Theatre” in Tyrone GA. where I portrayed a pirate and Nana the dog in a production of, “Peter Pan.” I even was fortunate enough to swing on for the role of Peter for a weekend, My dreams were coming true! Another shout out to Mark and Bethany Smith, for giving me my first job! Before long, one contract led to another, each presenting their own unique challenges, along with more opportunities. Before long after several years, I had made a good name for myself in the ATL. theatre community.
By the time I was twenty-three, I was in a constant state of work. From teaching dance/theatrical improve classes, to stepping into more creative positions, such as dance captain or choreographer. I even picked up some small commercial and industrial gigs on the side. Though I was still living pay check to pay check, I truly felt full-filled artistically. Soon before I knew it, I continued to follow in my parents footsteps and started traveling for work! From going to different cities and states, learned and performing broadway style productions such as; “A Chorus Line”, “CATS”, and “West Side Story.” To later touring the world with Norwegian Creative Studios/Regent Seven Seas Cruises, which then opened doors allowing me the pleasure of working with incredible dance companies/productions including; “Burn the Floor” and “Vegas! The Show.”

During the year 2020, I was contracted to live a year in Genting, Malaysia to help create shows and open a brand new style of Entertainment Resort. Of course due to the pandemic, that was short lived. I then returned home to Augusta GA. where I, like most performers, did my best to stay active and creative. It gave me ample time to work on my own personal projects, and to jump into other styles of dance. I even met my significant other, Faith Candino, in a dance class at Xcel Talent Agency/Studios.

Fast forwarding to 2021, once things started picking back up again. I assisted in the successful re-launching of Norwegian Creative Studios aboard one of their vessels. Shortly after I then signed with Xcel Talent Agency to expand my craft, which has led to more commercial work. Most recently I toured Japan performing in one of my favorite theatrical productions, “A Chorus Line” with original cast member Baayork Lee. As of late, I have been buckling down on my TV/Film career, while also being considered for more creative positions across the board.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

The year 2020 was a horrendous year for everyone in the Entertainment Industry. Like many other artists, my personal journey was not an enjoyable one. I went from successfully touring the world performing, to finding myself sitting in my old childhood room in Augusta GA. wondering when life would go back to, “normal.” It felt like the ten plus years I had put into my craft meant nothing, I was back at square one. I slowly lost my confidence as I wasn’t performing or training to the degree I once was. It took a massive toll on me mentally, physically, and of course monetarily. The industry was moving in a new direction, and I felt I didn’t have the capacity to evolve along with it. Everything felt unfair, as I saw everyone else booking work ahead of me, as if the world was out to get me. To a point I felt I was owed something, like all the hard work and progress I had already completed in my career was going to somehow fix the state of being I was in. I even thought about changing professions, though nothing seemed to curb the hunger of performance that still resided within me. Though I had little to no motivation or sleep, I took more dance classes, more hours at my day jobs, along with other gigs that I didn’t necessarily want to be apart of just to stay afloat. I owe a mammoth amount of gratitude to my support system, as they were one of the key factors to my resurgence into the industry. My family and significant other Faith, reminded me that chasms I had already overcome in my career. I had to tear myself down, and re-build from the ground up. Nothing was going to just fall in my lap. It was time to say screw it, and enter a new chapter. After time I let go of the past, and stopped looking into everyone else’s professional lanes. I had to get out of my own way. Slowly after time (and plenty of tears), things were moving in an optimistic direction. Until finally, Faith and I booked a tour together as a ballroom couple! Through this process, I have learned to remain even more humble and patient, all while knowing my worth as an artist.

Is there a mission driving your creative journey?

At first I was only following in my parents theatrical footsteps. Though through my travels and works, I have learned that my hunger for performance and creativity exceeds the realm of just Musical Theatre. I want to create and shape something that will outlive me. To help further the future of this industry in a healthy, safe, and more productive way all while being open to learning new skills and ideas. While there are a many aspects I adore about this profession, there are still many issues on both the performer and creative side than can be fine tuned. As performers, we have to understand that we are our own individual business. The job isn’t all singing, dancing, and looking good while you doing it. With the consistent speed and and ever changing state of our industry, we must continue to present ourselves in our absolute best light. From resumes, reels, and websites, to staying strong yet malleable with honing our craft. Wether you have have representation or not, we have the power to voice what we need as professionals and to ask for help. To also not be afraid to say no when it is needed. We must help ourselves and one another to step up, and to understand our worth. On the casting and creative side, I want to help shape a safer, healthier, and higher quality way of function. There is far too much politics and toxicity in our line of work. My hope and mission is to help change this, we must bring more patience and honesty between both talent and creatives! To all of you performers old and new, and all you creatives big or small… don’t forget where you came from. Whether it was from humble beginnings, or straight into the big leagues, we do this for love. I beg of you to never forget that. Thank you for taking the time to read my story, I’ll leave you now with one of the most famous quotes in musical theatre history! “Kiss today goodbye, and point me toward tomorrow… We did what we had to do, won’t forget, cant regret, what I did for love.”

Contact Info:

• Website: https://nathanlubeck.wixsite.com/website
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_nayton_/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nathan.t.lubeck
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUHPcSegkZKkv_yhcgtGYhQ

Image Credits
Photographer: Fuquan Ferrell Company:Forfuqssake
Photographer: Kevin Harry Company: Kevin Harry Photography
Photographer: Jeffery Erhunse Company: Jerry Erhunse Photography