When I think of the first person I’d want to interview for AOTW, it would be Nico Johnson ’26. Having the chance to collaborate with him on two theater pieces, I’ve seen firsthand his infectious energy and remarkable ability to bring characters to life. Besides theater, Nico has also shined in his Lunch Hour Concerts. But beyond his performances, I was curious — what fuels his creativity? How does he balance both music and theater?
“I’ve always had an interest in acting, so that kind of maybe was my initial artistic interest. But I have been into both acting and music for a long time,” Nico responded.
From a young age, Nico’s passion for the arts was unmistakable. He started piano lessons at just five years old, a first step into what would become a lifelong creative journey. “I took saxophone lessons at some point. I played percussion in high school, which was a cool change of pace, and now, I’ve gotten into songwriting and music production and singing more for my songs.”
It’s clear that for Nico, music isn’t just an interest, but a constant companion. Whether it was picking up new instruments or experimenting with production, Nico has always been drawn to the challenge of learning something new. His musical curiosity perfectly complements his love for acting, making him a truly multi-dimensional artist.
“For music, the songs I hear on the radio are a big inspiration, all of them. I’m like, wow, someone actually came up with this thing, and it seems so cool to me that it doesn’t exist at first, and then it just is there, and it’s so joyous for people to hear.”
That sense of wonder and excitement is at the heart of Nico’s creative process. He sees music not just as an art form, but as something almost magical. It’s an idea transformed into sound, then into emotion, and finally into an experience shared with others.
“For acting, I’ve always thought it’s really cool that you can become someone completely unlike yourself or even someone similar to yourself. But when you’re on stage, I never feel like I’m myself, and it’s a good experience to be able to leave your life for a second and explore this other life.”
There’s something incredibly freeing about stepping into a role, and Nico embraces that fully. Acting gives him the space to explore new identities, push the boundaries of expression, and most importantly, tell stories that connect with people. This sentiment resonates with many performers, including me, who find a sense of liberation in stepping outside of their own identity, allowing them to explore characters that might be vastly different from their everyday selves.
“When I’m doing one, I try to bring in the other, basically. Our [32] Very Short Plays [About Letting Go] are theater, and then I was like, ‘how can I bring music into this?’”
For Nico, music and theater are inseparable and constantly influencing each other. His ability to think beyond traditional boundaries allows him to infuse music into acting and vice versa, forming even richer performances. “I wanted to bring music in somehow, more for personal practice too with music. I thought, ‘If we’re doing acting, I’m getting practice with acting, so how can I bring music into it?’”
His instinct to merge disciplines sets Nico apart. Whether he’s constructing original tunes for a theater piece or using his character-building skills to enhance the story-telling aspect of his music, he never ceases to find new ways to create. His willingness to experiment is what keeps his art fresh and exciting. In the future, however, he is looking for professional opportunities:
“My artistic career? I’m scared about getting a job when I graduate from Swarthmore at the end of next year,” Nico said. “But I want to keep doing theater and music to some extent.”
There’s an undeniable uncertainty that comes with pursuing a career in the arts, but Nico faces it with a mix of realism and optimism. He has a clear vision of where he wants to go, especially in the music industry. “I think I could envision myself being a songwriter for other artists. Becoming an artist yourself would be harder, like a well-known artist. But there are so many songwriters and producers in the world that these artists need, that I could do that. And then maybe work my way up to becoming an artist someday.”
His perspective is refreshing — he isn’t just dreaming big; he’s strategizing a way to make it practically happen. By starting as a songwriter and producer, Nico has a solid foundation that still allows room for personal artistry to grow. While he’s not sure where acting will fit into his career just yet, he knows he wants to keep it in his life, whether that’s participating in musicals or even creating one himself.
On top of everything else, Nico has an exciting new milestone approaching — his next song releases on Feb. 28.
“I wrote this song about a kind of sad phase of my life. It was before I transferred here. I was very much struggling at the old college, and it was a very dark time in my life, I shall say. So I wrote a song about that, which is actually coming out on Feb. 28, so I’m excited about that.”
The upcoming release isn’t an average song, but a deeply personal reflection of a challenging time in Nico’s life. Through music, he has turned his emotions into something tangible, something others can relate to and find comfort in. Simply put, that’s the beauty of his work. Whether through music or acting, Nico creates art that resonates with people on a deep level.
So, mark your calendars and give his new song a listen when it drops! With everything he’s already accomplished and yet to create, Nico Johnson is an artist to watch — on stage, in the studio, and beyond.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nicojohnsonmusic
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/ph/artist/nico-johnson/1715320469
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2W0wlfhfca10Vv1dKY1Kti?si=xaAG_jATQq-lB1AIiBuaAw
Posted to all of those sites.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nicojohnsonmusic
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/ph/artist/nico-johnson/1715320469
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2W0wlfhfca10Vv1dKY1Kti?si=xaAG_jATQq-lB1AIiBuaAw
