Nolan Robinson is an actor, singer, dancer, writer, journalist and filmmaker. He is a graduate of Northwestern University (NU) and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, with honors, with a major in Theatre, a certificate in Music Theatre, and a minor in Political Science.

He grew up in Evanston, IL, where he performed in stage plays and musicals in grade school, middle school — a couple of which were NU productions — and high school. While in high school, Nolan studied dance at Dance Center Evanston as well as performed in the Evanston Dance Ensemble, originating the role of “Bottom” in the center’s 2018 Spring Production of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM.

Throughout his time at NU he has performed in Wirtz Center productions such as: the American Music Theatre Project: SEAN’S STORY PART 1: THE AWAKENING and PART 2: THE RECKONING (Sean) co-directed by Patrick Vassel and Tiffany Nichole Green, THE EXONERATED (Young Delbert) opposite actor Harry Lennix and directed by Tony Award® nominee Jordan Donica, LEGALLY BLONDE (Grand Master Chad), A CHORUS LINE (Richie Walters), GUYS & DOLLS (Hot Box Dancer), and THE WAA-MU SHOW: FOR THE RECORD (Tommy). On Chicago stages, Nolan has performed in BUDDY: THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY (u/s Apollo Performer, Jack Daw), and THE WIZARD OF OZ (U/S Scarecrow, Lion, Tin-man) at the Marriott Theatre, NEW FACES SING BROADWAY 1951, SPRING AWAKENING (Georg replacement), PASSING STRANGE (Youth), BLUES IN THE NIGHT (Dancing Man Standby), 1776 (The Courier), and THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS (U/S Willie, Eugene) at Porchlight Music Theatre. He also originated roles in the world premiere productions of Refracted Theatre Company’s ST. SEBASTIAN (Reuben) and Black Ensemble Theatre’s MY BROTHER LANGSTON (Gwyn/Ensemble). For his work in ST. SEBASTIAN and PASSING STRANGE, Nolan received nominations for a 2022 Non-Equity Jeff Award (Performer in a Supporting Role: Short Run) and a 2022 Black Theatre Alliance Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical, respectively. Nolan also performed at the Lyric Opera of Chicago as part of the ensembles of FIRE SHUT UP IN MY BONES and TOSCA. This winter he will be making his Drury Lane Theatre debut in RODGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN’S CINDERELLA (Ensemble). Additionally, he was a playwright in NU's BLACK LIVES, BLACK WORDS ten-minute play festival during his freshman and senior years in which he wrote THE LESSON and EULOGY, respectively.

As a student, Nolan created, starred in, and executive produced the web series WHERE’S NOAH? The six-episode series follows a young Black man navigating his personal and academic life at a predominantly white university and his relationship with his well-meaning but racist friends. In his junior year, Nolan began work on his short film musical, GRIEF NIGHT CLUB (GNC), which combined the talents of students and alumni from the School of Communication, Bienen School of Music, and the Medill School of Journalism — including Golden Globe® nominee Jennifer Grey (Dirty Dancing). He served as the director, principal performer, writer, producer, lyricist, editor, and choreographer. This film earned him a Student Production Award nomination at the Chicago/Midwest chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Emmy Awards®. GNC was also an official selection at the Bronzelens Film Festival, and the LA Student Film Festival, and was a semi-finalist at the Flicker’s Rhode Island International Film Festival. Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, he remotely led a team of over thirty performers through this herculean effort made possible through the support of the Evanston community. Nolan also served as the student commencement speaker for the 163rd Commencement of Northwestern in which he spread a message near and dear to his own life: you are loved, you are worthy, and you have nothing to prove, only to share. Recently, he assisted Tony-Award® winner Robert Horn in the development process of Broadway’s Tony-Award® winning comedy musical, SHUCKED, and has joined the co-producing team of the Broadway revival of the seven-time Tony® Award-winning musical, THE WIZ.