Nick Silverio first came to Philadelphia to study economics and commercial dance management. Fast forward six years and Silverio is returning to the city in the national tour of Disney’s Frozen. The UPenn graduate spoke to Phindie about his studies and shifting his focus full-time to the theatre.
[The Academy of Music, 240 S Broad St] March 21-April 7, 2024; ensembleartsphilly.org
Debra Danese: Tell us about your ties to Philadelphia.
Nick Silverio: I went to the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School for undergrad from 2013-2018! Philadelphia quickly became one of my favorite cities and still feels like a second home to me.
DD: What career were you looking to pursue while studying at the Wharton School?
NS: I graduated with a B.S. in Economics and an individualized concentration in Commercial Dance Management. For a while, I thought I might pursue consulting. Instead, I pursued performance and entrepreneurship, dancing professionally for 10 years, and founding the arts-tech startup artswrk.com with fellow Penn alum Ramita Ravi.
DD: How did you make your break into theatre?
NS: I took three gap semesters after my freshman year at Penn, and my very first theatre audition was for the Elf national tour. I booked the job and then joined the Actor’s Equity Association in 2015.
DD: What is your favorite moment in the show to be onstage for?
NS: My favorite moment in the show is the Whiteout, when the entire ensemble becomes the storm that Elsa is creating. I think it is the most spectacular combination of departments- music and sound, choreography, lighting, costuming, and set design. Every single aspect creates a masterpiece.
DD: What makes the stage production of Frozen so magical?
NS: Frozen is such a beloved story of sisterhood and becoming one’s authentic self. To tell that story onstage is a true honor. Our production stays true to the movies, while elevating the experience to a Broadway spectacle and bringing so much of that magic to life.