Meet Our Choreographer!

South Pacific Profile: Nickel Hays joins an experienced and talented artistic production team

Choreographer Nickel Hays was last seen by Summer Place Theatre patrons in last summer’s production of Footloose, where she served as the Dance Captain. Nickel earned a Bachelor of Arts in Musical Theater Performance from Columbia College, and is currently working toward a Master of Arts in Teaching at Northeastern Illinois University. She also works as a long-term substitute teacher for Chicago Public Schools,

Nickel joins an experienced and talented artistic production staff in the 70th anniversary celebration of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s South Pacific. She shared some thoughts on her musical theater history and goals,

South Pacific opens on June 7!

Get your tickets here

QUESTION: Who or what inspired you to start doing theater?
NICKEL HAYS: It was an alternative to sports!

Q: What is the favorite role(s) you've ever played?
NH: Brooke in Noises Off or the ensemble of The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

Q: What is the dream role you still want to play and dream show you want to choreograph?
NH: Dream roles: Roxie in Chicago, Elle or Margot in Legally Blonde, Patsy in Spamalot
Dream shows to choreograph: Thoroughly Modern Millie, Cabaret, West Side Story, Peter Pan

Q: If someone was going to make your life into a movie, who would you want to play you?
NH: Hillary Duff.

Q: What do you do when you’re not doing theater?
NH: I'm in grad school, so if I'm not at rehearsal I'm probably doing homework.

Q: What is something people who work with you would be surprised to find out about you?
NH: I have never seen nor listened to the entirety of Phantom of the Opera.

South Pacific opens on June 7.

Learn more about our production here   Get your tickets here