Another Colonial Star on the Rise?

Nicholas_300J Paul Nicholas, CCAS MFA ‘03, never wanted to leave DC, but under the advice of a New York City casting director, he moved to NYC by the summer of 2005.

A graduate of GW’s Academy for Classical Acting, Nicholas made the move after performing in the DC area for years.

A transplant from Miami, Nicholas moved to DC in 2001 to accept an acting fellowship from the Shakespeare Theatre Company and earned an MFA from GW in 2003. The classical acting program features a partnership between the Shakespeare Theatre and GW, bringing together world-class artists/teachers, a comprehensive training program, resources and connections.

After school, Nicholas found his first big job with the Seattle Repertory Theatre in spring 2004, performing in “Beauty of The Father” by Pulitzer Prize winner Nilo Cruz. Following this stint, Nicholas was on the bus from DC to New York two or three times a month for auditions and callbacks in the Big Apple.

Like many actors, Nicholas has had both successes and struggles during his career. But his passion for his craft and his dream keeps him dedicated. And others are starting to notice.

In Oct. 2012, Nicholas directed a revival of the Wendy MacLeod play “The Water Children” at Shetler Studios in NYC, which was favorably reviewed by numerous publications and critics, including The New York Times and Backstage.

Nicholas (foreground) in "The English Bride"with Damon Bonetti as Dov.
Nicholas (foreground) in “The English Bride”
with Damon Bonetti as Dov.

In Nov. 2012, Nicholas was in Philadelphia, PA performing in the world premiere of Lucile Lichtblau’s “The English Bride” at Theater Exile.

Of the play, Philadelphia Weekly said, “A searing performance: J Paul Nicholas is undeniably enigmatic.” Nicholas also received praise from Stage Magazine.org and the Philadelphia City Paper.

Nicholas is currently working with playwright John Anastasi to develop his latest (as yet untitled) play, with hopes of an Off-Broadway production. In Dec. 2012, he also directed a 3 day workshop of the piece, which culminated in a private reading at Manhattan Theatre Club.

You can also find Nicholas on screen; he continues to appear in the long running NBC series, Law & Order: SVU as the public defender, Mr. Linden Delroy. This is his eighth season on the show.

Nicholas as Attorney Linden Delroy in NBC’s Law & Order: SVU
Nicholas as Attorney Linden Delroy
in NBC’s Law & Order: SVU

“Someday, I would love to return to my favorite city and rejoin the DC theatre community,” says Nicholas.

Nicholas also has a passion for the development of young actors, and dreams of teaching, too. Maybe even in the classrooms of GW!

To learn more about J Paul Nicholas’s career, visit his web site.

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