Nana Coleman, a 2013 graduate of Drake University, works as a Financial Analyst for Principal Financial Group. He has previously performed with the Des Moines Metro Opera as a member of the auxiliary chorus in their 2014 production of Jake Heggie’s Dead Man Walking and appeared as Private Louis Henson in the Des Moines Social Club and Ken-Matt Martin's production of Charles Fuller's A Soldier's Play. He is happy to be working behind the scenes with PTC.

Meet Nana(Interview conducted December 2015):

Where you were born: Milwaukee, WI

Favorite Play/Musical: I’m a sucker for musicals, having grown up playing the piano and being a band guy in high school.  The first time I ever heard parts of the ten-year anniversary concert for Les Miserables, I was hooked, finding Colm Wilkinson and Lea Salonga to be absolutely fantastic singers.  Currently though, I’ve got a crush on the show Hamilton.  The score seamlessly weaves in an out of various genres in genius ways, character identities are brilliantly developed in multiple ways and the lyrics are masterfully crafted. 

First Play/Musical: My grade school in Milwaukee actually had students put together their own productions, so all students would have different parts in the production.  Some would help write the script, some would help write music, some would help with making props and pieces for the set.  Looking back, I think it was actually an incredible way to introduce students to the arts and a fantastic exercise in intellectual and social development to give them agency in building an entire production.  I just remember that in third grade, I was a nerd named Melvin, some guy was the Pope and we time-traveled in the show.  Shout out to Woodlands School in Milwaukee!

Show you hope Pyramid does one day: I leave that to our talented artistic personnel.  You don’t want me picking shows.

Current non-Pyramid related Project: I co-ordinate a mentoring program for the Zeta Kappa Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc at Des Moines North High School for young men focused on preparation for the future and college in particular.  I learn new slang every week.

What does Pyramid mean to you: To me, Pyramid’s not about the art.  It’s about using something that people can connect with and that can so eloquently speak to human experience, to encourage people to challenge their own assumptions and re-think the paradigms within which they operate.  It also means a further opportunity for me to apply my passion for building processes and concepts, so I’m really grateful for the opportunity