NICHOLAS DEKKER
Bio
Nick was born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He graduated in 2001 from Calvin College with a double major in English and Communication Arts & Sciences (Theatre specialization). He and his wife Beth married later that year, then moved to Columbus to attend graduate school at The Ohio State University. Nick finished his M.A. in Theatre in 2004, writing on the dynamic of science and theatre; he completed his Ph.D. in Theatre in 2007. His dissertation is titled “The Modern Catalyst: German Influences on the British Stage, 1890-1918.” After graduating from Ohio State, he was hired by the Department of Theatre to lecture and administer their large Introduction to Theatre course. He lectures, manages the course materials, and oversees a dozen graduate teaching assistants for the course, which teaches 600-800 students per quarter. In summer 2008 he successfully launched the first online version of Intro to Theatre. He has also taught Playwriting, Script Analysis, Contemporary British Theatre, and Diversity and the American Stage. In addition to this coursework, Nick serves as a director and dramaturg for the Department, most recently dramaturging the new work Pangea.
Artistic Interests
Nick’s artistic interests are wide and varied. He has worked regularly in theatre as an actor, director, producer, playwright, and teacher. He’s written one full-length play, Haven, and several of his shorter pieces have been produced at Calvin College, Ohio State, and the Wild Goose Creative New Year’s Festival, including Naming the Band and Etymologically Yours. He is currently working on a play about the life of physician Edward Jenner, plus a book of sketch comedy and monologues. In addition to this, Nick takes an interest in improv comedy, having performed and taught workshops on improv with Wild Goose, Ohio State, and Calvin College. On top of all this, Nick is a percussionist and a blogger who writes about breakfast. His breakfast reviews have been featured on ColumbusUnderground and Fox 28.
Job Description
Nick is a founder and member of the Board of Directors for Wild Goose Creative. Within the organization, he is titled The Reference. In this capacity he serves as the historian and archivist of the company, maintaining all of the information and records. In addition to helping produce our myriad events, he also writes grants, serves as a judge for mediation purposes, and plays emcee for many of our public events.
Curriculum Vita
Click HERE to download.
Sample Scholarly Work
Publications
Radio Macbeth by SITI Company. Performance review. Theatre Journal 59.4.
Presentations
Sample Creative Work
Plays
COLLABORATIONS
Nick is currently collaborating with Beth as co-planners of the Columbus Comedy Festival, to be held February 25-27, 2010. He is also working with Amanda as a committee member in planning BeerCamp, set for March 28, 2010. Nick collaborates with Karl, Andy, Ryan, Jacqui, and Jessie to write and perform editions of Comedy Cabaret. He also occasionally works with Karl, Andy, and Ryan to form Moot Knacks, a jazz/spoken word quartet. Most importantly, he and his wife Beth are collaborating on raising their first child, William.
Outside the organization, Nick serves on the Board of Directors for the non-profit dance company Xclaim Dance. He also served as liaison and co-producer of Conor McPherson’s The Weir with Solstice Theatre Company.
PERSONAL LINKS
