Missouri State University alum Chance Nichols, a 2017 graduate of the Department of Theatre and Dance, has been appointed Director of Network Creative and Strategy for the production company All Things Comedy (ATC).

Nichols, who graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting, will oversee creative development and produce new podcasts, digital series, television shows, movies and other productions for ATC.

Many of Nichols’ duties involve both creativity and management. He helps comedians, writers and producers develop new show ideas. These include podcasts, television and live events. He also reviews launch and release strategies.

At the same time, he also advises the network regarding its current productions.

“I give notes on shows currently on our network that we either originally produced or acquired to provide creative feedback and consulting,” he explained. He also advises on best practices to optimize packaging for YouTube algorithms.

“I’m really excited to help other comedians and creative people get the projects they’re passionate about made exactly how they want to make them,” Nichols said. “ATC was founded under the motto ‘by comedians, for comedians.’ I just want to honor that legacy while looking to innovate and build upon it.”

Owes career success to Missouri State experience

Nichols said he owes “just about everything” about his career to his time at Missouri State. “I genuinely mean that.”

In particular, he emphasized the support and encouragement he received from his professors. He singled out theatre and dance professors Dr. Kurt Heinlein, Sarah Wiggin and Dr. Telory Arendell for special recognition. “[They] really let me feel comfortable exploring all aspects of creativity during my time in the acting program,” he said.

Nichols described how his professors encouraged him to write his own material and produce his own shows and content. “That fell way outside of the standard issue performing degree,” he noted.

“Chance is a talented and generous artist,” Heinlein said. “He brings passion and levity into every creative space he enters.”

More than a specific class, however, Nichols said the relationships he formed and the people he met at Missouri State have had the greatest impact on his career. One example is his work with the Missouri State Improv team.

“Helping to revamp and run the Missouri State Improv team with my pal Caleb Doyle and my still creative collaborator and friend Caleb Hearon was one of the most important and best experiences of my life,” he said.

“I guess I would say that my time at MSU was a great study of flexibility, creative collaboration and personal taste,” Nichols continued. “I carry [that] with me every day, whether I’m on stage performing stand up, in a studio recording a podcast, or in a meeting trying to crack a story beat of a new sitcom or title of a new show.”

“As a MSU student, he gave 110% without fail, and he’s carried that output into his professional encounters,” Heinlein said. “We’re so happy for him and proud of his accomplishments!”

“Work very hard and be kind to people”

Nichols keeps his advice to current and future theatre and dance Bears simple.

“Work very hard and be kind to people,” he said. “People your age already know the power and freedom that comes from the ability to create your own content and opportunities. Lean into that, and you’ll be just fine.”

“Just know that a college theatre program is exactly what you make of it,” Nichols continued. “The only real difference between you and someone sitting in a classroom at Yale or Carnegie Mellon…is geography and the amount of tuition they’re paying.”

“If you want to ‘make it,’ then go and make it. No one is stopping you, but also no one is begging you to do it either, so you really have to want it for yourself.”

Explore opportunities in theatre and dance

Photo provided by Chance Nichols.