I start most Saturdays making this face as I exit my dreams (dreams of doing my own One-Man Off Broadway Musicalé) and rejoin the real world. Seriously. This is what I look like when I fake sleep and take a selfie. Who needs headshots?
Nate Miller
Pre-Show shave to get the “Orphan Look” really going. Oxford shirt unbuttoned, cuz, y’know. Orphan. Never had a mother to teach buttoning.
Nate Miller
The next series of photos involve my pre-show routine Jason Ralph is a big part of this. He is my Warm Up Partner and Orphan Coach. Here is step 1: Sugar Rush!/Pre-Show Cake! Should be noted for those who look carefully… Nip Slip!
Nate Miller
Step 2: Dental Exam/ Expression Stretches
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Step 3: Skull Pilates/ Daily Affirmations
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Step 4: Dual Face Massages/ Soul Sharing
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Step 5: Mirror Training/ Acting/Vocal/Physical Warm-Up/ Horizontal Stripe Womb Therapy
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Time to Dirt Up!!! No Orphan is complete without his dirt. It’s the essence of my whole character. Again for the close lookers… Nicole Lowrance is trapped sideways in a rolled up poster. . If her name was Waldo, we all would have won.
Nate Miller
5 Minutes to Places! I help Matt D’Amico put his belt on (He never learned belts at Juilliard.)
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1 Minute to Places! Matt D’Amico reads me the weekly news. (I never learned to read at Juilliard.)
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Places! One more cupcake (made by the illustrious Karli Brae) to keep my resolve/Tubbiness up and now we hit the stage for Act 1 of Show #1!!!
Nate Miller
Intermission! I reset my microphone as Andrew Mueller does some tongue strengthening exercises. He’s a linguist. Yes, I’m aware my chest hair resembles the Bat Signal. It’s a blessing and a curse.
Nate Miller
The lovely Joanna Howard helps me with my bra before Act 2. She’s a saint to do it. And though it can be painful… It’s my favorite part of every show. Beautiful. Talented. Vivacious. And Vicious! And so is Joanna.
Nate Miller
5 Minutes to places for Act 2! I contemplate life as a mermaid for a brief moment. In this one my chest hair looks like a death eater. “Very versatile in the chest" That’s what all my directors have told me.
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It's good to keep yourself informed. That’s why Smee and I look at the pictures in “The New Yorker” before the 2nd Act…. PLACES!
Nate Miller
Show # 1 is over. So, now its time to run some errands and grab a quick bite. I don’t take my dirt off between shows. I like to stay in the “Orphan Zone.” This is me at the post office where I was told twice I had something on my face.
Nate Miller
After my snack and errand running, I take a quick “Einstein” Nap. 30 minutes in my travel hammock in the depths of New World Stages. Don’t knock the travel Hammy. I can sleep anywhere. And I swing while I do it. Take that, Boxcar Hobos!
Nate Miller
I’m awake now and almost ready for show # 2 but there is one more stop before we do it all again! (and yes, I sleep next to a firehose. My dad was a firefighter… we don’t need to delve into it but fire safety calms me.)
Nate Miller
Physical Therapy with the lovely Carolyn Chamberlain! Deeply relaxing! It’s my Stress Yoga/meditation/Pain time.
Nate Miller
Back down in the gallows of NWS we celebrate our two-show Saturdays by playing “Dollar Saturday” The incomparable Captain Kate Wallace collects the cash. And no… I don’t ever button this particular shirt. I see kids do it in Wiliamsburg all the time.
Nate Miller
To prep for show #2! I like to perform Feats of Strength. This particular Saturday I decide to arm-wrestle our own personal Hercules, Alex Hernandez
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I let him win, because I’m a gentleman and I don’t like to show off my strength and power… especially when there are cameras around. Plus, I’m saving my energy so I can pull as much focus as possible during the evening performance.
Nate Miller
Alex rubs some Icy Hot on my arm. Previous injury. Totally unrelated to the arm wrestling. Don’t worry about it.
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At 5 minutes to places for show #2, our newest addition, Evan Johnson (Understudy Extraordinaire) gives me notes on the first show. NFL Athletes watch tape, I get Evan telling me to stop mugging to the audience. He’s right. But I won’t stop.
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At intermission it is announced that our darling Nicole Lowrance has won Dollar Saturday. We all know she cheated but we’re happy for her anyway.
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She’s nice enough to give me money to tip my dresser. It’s strange and terrifying but when money is being stuffed in my bra I just bite my tongue and say thank you. PLACES for Act 2 of Show #2!
Nate Miller
After the show (once we’re all out of costume) I have Rick Holmes look over my contract. Apparently I’m not allowed to hug him in public. It’s been a point of contention.
Nate Miller
After the second show I treat myself to a nutritious candle lit dinner. Teddy is Tubby and Nate Miller is classy. Cuz, you know… candles.
Nate Miller
Finally a night cap. The 2-show day is almost over. Expired diner Bud light with a cooler label? Or non-expired Diner Bud light with a normal label? Decisions….
Nate Miller
And finally home! I end my 2-show day like any other Off-Broadway actor: drifting into slumber on a pile of cash. I don’t act for the money. But I do sleep on it. Seriously you guys, you don’t even need a mattress if you’ve got greenbacks. Jay-Z does it.
Nate Miller
Thanks for joining me on this 2-show day, friends! Follow your dreams and keep at it! One day you too can do 2 shows a day in a basement and have chest hair that resembles the "Assassin’s Creed" symbol and rock hard abs like me!
Nate Miller
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