We recently connected with Nick Morrett and have shared our conversation below.

Nick, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s one of the most important lessons you learned in school?

Being a music major and a musical theater major in college you had to learn anything and everything about the business that you could. When I was a junior, I had the opportunity to go to New York and audition for the national tour of Jesus Christ superstar. I ended up making it all the way through to the final callback. Define a callback was causing me to stay an extra day in New York. At that time I was involved in a show at my college and I had called My professor/director to let them know that I was in final round of callbacks for one of the supporting characters and that I would need to miss one of the last dress run-throughs of the musical I was currently in. My Director had given me an ultimatum that said either come home and I’m in the shower or if I decide to stay up in New York and attend the final callback, I would be replaced. At the time I was extremely frustrated because I thought isn’t this what we were in college for?! So after an hour or two of pondering I made the decision to come home. Months later, I ended up seeing that national tour of Jesus Christ superstar and was honestly thankful I did not get the part as the show was not the quality I thought it was supposed to be. When I graduated my professor pulled me aside and told me why he gave me that ultimatum. He had the same situation happened to him in college and it took him 25 years to go back and get his degree. He knew with my talent I would book the role and thought I would never go back to college and get a degree and stress how important it was to have that college degree and that piece of paper and was so proud of my graduating. At the time I was really angry and frustrated because I felt he was imposing his life upon mine but today I stand here as a college graduate with so many amazing opportunities and so thankful he made me get that piece of paper

Nick, 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?

First and foremost, I am And actor. I have been performing in musical theater since I was 16 years old. I have almost 20 years of being a professional actor, professional meeting I get paid for it hee hee. But not only am I an actor, I’m also a teacher. I firmly believe in being able to spread my love and joy of performing to all of my vocal, piano, and acting students. I started teaching in 2008 and have had the opportunity to teach over 300 kids and adults. I have and do private lessons as well as musical direct and direct different shows around the area. I’ve been so fortunate to have been in some amazing productions as well as taught some amazing people! Not only do I have my private studio, I am also the Director of music at Impact Dance of Atlanta located off Highway 41 in Kennesaw. I am in the middle of my eighth year there as the Director of music and I am in charge of all of the vocal, piano, and acting programs we have there. I was asked to start the program back in 2015 and I’ve grown in the studio from six students to over 60 a week!

We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.

While I was in college, I was looking for a way to make some money. I didn’t want to be a typical actor and college student who would become a waiter to supplement their income. I wanted something more. I knew I loved to educate and I knew I love to help guide children. I had many influences in my life they kept telling me you need to be a teacher, you need to be a teacher. I knew I had the bass knowledge to at least guide the younger generation in a way that would make them excited about music and theater. So I began my private studio. From there I was able to work at a few music locations and gain more knowledge about being a teacher. I had some fantastic mentors at these locations and was so happy to have all those experiences. Now looking at where I am now I know I’m still not finished. Even though I have taught at multiple locations as a contract employee, I still have goals of wanting to own my own studio one day!

We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.

The big thing that I have to promote is communication. Making sure you communicate effectively to any and all students, potential students, and anyone that ever asks advice about musical theater. My firm belief is that communication is key! My philosophy has always been that if we as a Society communicated better the world would be a much better place.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @NMorrett03

Image Credits
Jillian Melko