This article was originally published by The Tuscola County Advertiser.
CASS CITY — She has been described as a woman who “bursts with adolescent girl power” and “a quirky girl with a whole lot of spunk, energy, and dedication.” But to her Cass City friends and family, she is Brittany Nicol — the girl with big personality and gobs of talent. Nicol says she always has had an interest in music and theatre. She largely credits her grandmother with taking the time to help her and her sister, Alyssa, learn to play musical instruments and to sing when they were growing up. The impressive list of instruments she plays includes the oboe, piano, guitar, ukulele, and hammer dulcimer, as well as various percussion instruments. As a student at Cass City Middle School, and a member of the Academic Track team, Nicol says her interest developed into a passion. “Academic Track helped my interest in musical theatre flourish into something I could do for a career,” she says. “It was by far my favorite part of middle school.” Nicol, the daughter of Jim and Jeanne Nicol of Cass City, started preparing for her future career early. In the fall of 2007, she enrolled in Interlochen Center for the Arts, an institution whose stated purpose is to “[engage] and [inspire] people worldwide through excellence in educational, artistic and cultural programs, enhancing the quality of life through the universal language of the arts”. For Nicol, her time spent at the center was life-changing. “Everyone always laughs, but I describe it as a ‘magical place’,” she says. “Interlochen is my favorite place in the whole world. I really came into my own at Interlochen and was surrounded by people who were as passionate about the arts as I was… Interlochen (and my parents) taught me what good work ethic and focus is and that I can do anything I set my mind to.” That combination of passion, work ethic, and focus have served Nicol well, as she continues her education at Michigan State University. The decision to become a Spartan, however, was not part of the original plan. “It’s actually a funny story,” she says of her decision. “I applied many places for my undergraduate degree, but they were all Musical Theatre programs. After some thinking (and almost going to college in Oklahoma) I realized I would rather be closer to home and go to a program that was centered around acting instead of singing and dancing. Also, since I had such a different experience for high school, I wanted to go to a public university.” Today, Nicol is pursuing her Bachelor in Fine Arts in Theatre, with an emphasis in acting – a pursuit she is, by all appearances, both enjoying and excelling at. “It’s a program that I had to audition into and I have about 15 other people in my class receiving that same degree,” she says. Nicol has received rave reviews for her performances in 14 different productions at Michigan State University and in the Lansing community. The Lansing State Journal says that Nicol’s scenes “are passionate and forceful, revealing a fragility in even the most intelligent and outgoing of souls.” While her participation in an eclectic array of productions has been a thrill, Nicol says she does have her favorites. “Pump Up the Volume was a great experience because I really connected with the guest director that came from New York. I also just finished Xanadu where I did the whole show on roller skates. That was definitely a learning experience!” For Nicol, the end is in sight, as far as her time at Michigan State University goes. After graduating in May of 2014, she plans to take her career to the next level. “I’m planning to move to New York City to pursue Musical Theatre. I’m very excited to make the big move!” While the excitement of big-city life looms on the horizon, Nicol isn’t quick to forget where her roots are. “I think of how great it was to grow up in a small town community,” she says. “I loved going to football games and being involved in my church.” Nicol credits the members of her support network with helping her achieve her goals. “I have an extremely supportive family, some great friends, a very supportive boyfriend, and I have had some amazing opportunities,” she says. “I wouldn’t be able to do any of the things I’ve done without the unending supports of my parents. So many thanks to them. My mom always jokes that I have to thank her first when I get a Tony. If I ever get so blessed to have such a high honor, you bet I will! “ For more information about Brittany Nicol, her career, and background, visit her website, www.brittanyannnicol.com. Comments are closed.
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