“Nicki, an Illinois native with a bachelor's degree from
Milliken University, first came to know about Missoula and UM
through the Missoula Children's Theatre. She toured with the
productions of The Wiz of the West and Treasure Island from 1999
to 2001. That’s when she met her husband, Brad, a UM
graduate student in directing. Nicki plays the title role in
Evita, produced by UM’s drama/dance department. It opens
April 5 at the Montana Theatre.
Why are you at UM? To study theatre in a place like no
other on Earth.
What book would you take with you into your “next
life?” Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli.
What is your favorite spot on campus? On stage in the
Montana Theatre when it is empty. It is a powerful place.
What’s the best advice you ever got? Fall flat on
your face at least twice a day. Keith Hitchcock, the director of
Evita, told one of our classes that at the beginning of the year.
If everything is perfect, what is there to learn?
What interests you outside of the classroom? Knitting.
Friends. Family. Wine. Music. Exercise. Not necessarily in that
order!
What is your favorite bumper sticker? America needs an
oil change.
Who has influenced you most since you came here? My
students. I teach Acting for Non-Majors. They keep me connected
to the campus at large. They teach me as much as I hope I teach
them. They remind me that I am teacher and student always.
If you could light anything on fire right now, what would
it be? Any document that doesn’t give help to those who
need help most.
What is your favorite guilty pleasure? Playing bingo at
the Bingo Palace!
If your life were made into a movie, what genre would it
be? Who would portray you? It would probably be a
musical—like the old movie musicals. I would want someone
unknown to play me.
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