Nate Bertone

BFA SCENIC DESIGN, 2016

Nate’s concentration in the School of Drama was scenic design, and that training has helped him create a multifaceted career in the arts. 

As a director, writer, set designer, and producer, Nate has built an internationally acclaimed career bringing stories to the stage. In 2024, he directed and designed the Australian tour of a brand-new “Alice in Wonderland” adaptation, and a production of the new musical “Finding Nemo” for The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati. His work has been seen on world premieres of new musicals such as “Mystic Pizza,” based on the MGM film and Florida Georgia Line’s “May We All.” He works with companies including Disney Theatrical, Sony Masterworks and Google and on stages across the country.

On Broadway, he recently produced “How to Dance in Ohio,” a story of seven young adults with autism navigating adulthood. He is also a longtime collaborator of Tony Award-winning scenic designer Beowulf Boritt, serving as his associate on “Be More Chill” (West End/Japan), “Crazy for You” (LCT), “Superhero” (2ST), and assistant for “New York, New York,” “Freestyle Love Supreme,” and “A Bronx Tale,” all on Broadway. 

He has also written a new children’s book “Nana, Nana” which aims to help families open a dialogue about aging, Alzheimer’s disease, and loss through the lens of a child’s imagination. 

Nate’s new play, “The SeaView Nursing Home for the Newly Deceased,” is in development with Broadway producers attached ahead of an upcoming out-of-town tryout. His musical “Letters from War,” which began at Carnegie Mellon in Playground, will receive an industry presentation in New York City this year.

Nate was celebrated by CMU as one of the 2024 Tartans on the Rise.