Founding The National Broadway Theatre
Performing arts have been Jacob’s passion since he was very young. Graduating from Fryeburg Academy in Fryeburg, Maine, Jacob grew up involved in professional theater, film, and dance productions. When the time came, it only made sense for him to study theater at the collegiate level, earning a degree in Directing from Temple University.
​
Jacob then relocated to New York City, where he worked within the theater scene, growing his career in the arts through productions on Broadway, Off-Broadway, National Tours, Regional Houses, Opera, and Film. His work earned accolades such as Josephine New York Theatre Award nominations, as well as regional awards for excellence in choreography and directing.
After six years in New York City, the Covid-19 Pandemic forced a pivot in his life. The pandemic’s impact on New York was enormous, with Broadway productions and smaller regional theaters alike closing their doors—some never to reopen. Soon after, Jacob relocated to the beautiful city of Grand Rapids, MI. While settling into this new city, he became involved with local community theaters, beginning by teaching and directing at The Grand Rapids Civic Theatre and Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids.
​
While working in the generous and welcoming Grand Rapids theater community, Jacob began to notice that something was missing. The city of Grand Rapids is vibrant with a professional ballet, opera, and symphony, but as far as paying professional theatre, that creative outlet was left sparce. The area is fortunate to have tremendous community theater productions, but these actors were missing one thing—a paycheck for their work. It was in that moment that Jacob set out to create a non-profit, professional theater company, and The National Broadway Theatre was born.
​
As a professional, non-profit theater company in Grand Rapids, our mission is to enrich lives through the magic of theater, community engagement, and cultural enrichment. NBT gives back to the community through the creation of sustainable jobs for our diverse population, enhancing the arts offerings, and providing educational opportunities for local talent and talent that has yet to be discovered. We offer innovative works that explore diverse themes, perspectives, and styles, appealing to a wide variety of audiences. Not only does NBT hire locally, but it also provides employment to artists from across the nation, hosting auditions in NYC, Chicago, and Boston, bringing Broadway talent to Grand Rapids, and housing guest artists in our local hospitality—helping to leave a positive mark on the Metro-Grand Rapids arts landscape.
