Growing up, triple-threat Nico Oliveri spent countless hours at COCA. With his mother, Sheila, a COCA staff member for many years, he took classes after school while she worked.
While Nico’s true love was musical theatre, he started with dance classes at COCA. He enjoyed tap, taught by Maria Majors, and jazz with Lee Nolting.
“Lee taught a lot more than just dance. She taught about professionalism and showmanship. Her dance classes were kind of like an acting class, a performance class,” says Oliveri.
In 2003, COCA received the Coming Up Taller Award from the White House for the Pre-Professional Division Dance Program. Nico, alongside fellow students, traveled to Washington, D.C., to receive the award on COCA’s behalf. They sang at the White House Gala for Laura Bush and Debbie Allen, and at the Capitol for senators and representatives.
For Nico, COCA represents community: “COCA taught me so much. I was so lucky to grow up there in a creative environment with people who genuinely cared a lot about me.”
Nico went on to study musical theatre at Oklahoma City University. After graduating, he moved to New York City, where he spent the next five years performing as a multi-talented professional and working in musical theatre development.
He honed his acting chops by workshopping different characters in new works, including Fly More Than You Fall starring Tony-nominee, Keala Settle.
“I love doing that kind of stuff because you’re getting to create the final product that will end up on Broadway,” says Oliveri.
Nico booked a leading role in the film Boarding School and continued to book more roles in film, prompting his plan to move to Los Angeles. The cross-country move fell mere weeks before the global COVID-19 pandemic, shutting down most artistic projects. After a short hiatus in St. Louis, he relocated back to New York in 2024.
“I’ve been lucky enough to work my way up to where I have a really tight-knit community. That’s really how you find success in the city. It’s pretty much who knows who, and who can recommend you when an opportunity arises,” says Oliveri.
He spent this past year “really hustling,” singing the National Anthem at Madison Square Garden before Knicks games, doing readings, and workshopping several shows that are in development to premiere on Broadway.
“If I could do one thing forever, it would be to work on the early stages of productions. It’s the most creative, most artistic part of the process for an actor,” says Oliveri.
On top of following his passion for developing new works, Nico is also starting another new endeavor––writing music. He is partnering with writer Joriah Kwamé, and together are working on an EP.
Nico encourages young artists who pursue an artistic career, that despite its challenges, to do it for the love of the craft.
“It’s a very difficult career, full of no’s, and there is a lot you don’t have control over. You must remember that you’re doing it because it brings you joy,” says Oliveri. “The best artistry comes when you’re letting go, and you’re trusting yourself and your gift and all the work you’ve done up to that point.”
Nico is glad that the COCA community is still nearby; as many COCA alumni live and work in New York. He looks forward to continuing to connect with his fellow New York-based alumni.
“Knowing other people in the industry and connecting with people that you have common interests and history with is very important,” says Oliveri.
More Photos of Nico at COCA:
