Brad Nies shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Brad, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
I feel especially proud of the work our students, faculty, and staff have done to make our theatre arts program one of the best in Texas. To prove my point, our program was granted the School of Distinction Award (Exemplary Status) by the Texas Educational Theatre Association in 2024-25.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Brad Nies, and I am Director and Professor of Theatre Arts/Communication Studies at Blinn College – Brenham Campus in Brenham, Texas. While at Blinn, I have directed over 250 theatrical productions, and I have completed postgraduate studies in communications, directing, script analysis, and playwriting. I am also a published playwright, having had 6 plays published.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
The person who to see my potential was my high school theatre director. Her name is Lydia Fowlkes, and I ending up in her speech class my freshman year. Because of her, I graduated from high school and studied theatre arts on a higher educational level.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Keep the faith! Everything’s going to be okay!
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
There are a few people in my life I admire for various reasons:
*My mother-For teaching me the importance of family.
*My father-For teaching me good business sense.
*My high school theatre director-For teaching me the importance of spirituality.
*My community college theatre arts director-For teaching me the ability to laugh.
*My university theatre arts director-For teaching me professionalism.
*My wife-For teaching me to accept others, no matter how different they are from me.
*My son-For teaching me wisdom. (The kid is smarter than I am!)
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Have you ever gotten what you wanted, and found it did not satisfy you?
When I was in college, I wanted to be a professional actor and director. (I wanted to live in New York, work as a stage actor, and eventually direct shows on Broadway.) But my life did not go in that direction. Instead, my career opportunities led me into educational theatre.
After working at Blinn College-Brenham for about 10 years, I had an opportunity to do some professional acting in Houston, Texas during one summer. It was good experience for me, but I didn’t like it. Why? Because something was missing: The excitement of the students. I missed the ability to see a student actor “get” what the director wants, as well as the opportunity to make lasting friendships with the other actors. After having that experience, I realized that I had been led in the right direction.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bradleyniesplaywright.blogspot.com/
- Facebook: https://bradleyniesplaywright.blogspot.com/
Image Credits
Pic #1: Me as the Monster in Young Frankenstein. (Theatre Arts Faculty Showcase)
Pic #2: Me in a high school production.
Pic #3: Me and some of my students in a publicity shot for our theatre arts program.
