Nicholas Miles. Photo courtesy of Iron Crow Theatre.
“An Act of God,” presented by Iron Crow Theatre, is playing at Baltimore’s Theatre Project to rave reviews. Written by David Javerbaum, it is directed by Sean Elias, Iron Crow’s artistic director. “In our production, the power of God is truly in your hands! Each night, the audience decides, through a mysterious vote, which actor will embody the Almighty, setting off a full rotation of roles for the entire cast. This means every performance is a leap of faith and a completely unique, hilarious experience. Come back to see how each actor brings their own twist to God—no two performances will be the same!”
The cast includes Nicholas Miles, Rachael Small, Jack Taylor, and Darsen Durant. MD Theatre Guide’s review by Emily Hofstaedter says, “…Iron Crow resident actor Nicholas Miles could probably make you laugh just by reading out the phone book. Miles, who has graced the stage on Preston Street for years now, manages to take a character that could be unbearable and turns Them into one who is empathetic, vulnerable, bold, and most often, hilarious. Thanks Goddess for great actors!” (Full review here.)
Nicholas Miles, an Iron Crow Theatre Resident, is delighted to return after previously starring in Iron Crow Theatre’s award-winning and critically acclaimed productions of “Rent” (Angel), “Mankind” (OBGYN), “A New Brain” (Nurse), “The Laramie Project” (Various), and the theatre’s annual production of “The Rocky Horror Show” (3x Dr. Frank ‘N’ Furter, 1x Narrator). Previous other credits include “Beehive,” “Mr. Burns: A Post Electric Play,” “The Secret Garden,” and “Titanic.” Nicholas is a 2016 graduate of the Honors Acting Conservatory at the esteemed Theatre Lab in Washington, D.C., and is a proud member of Iron Crow Theatre’s Board of Directors.
Tell us a bit about your background and how and when you knew you wanted to be an actor.
My journey into acting began in childhood. I was a quiet child and my Mom thought acting would be a good way to bring out my personality. As I grew older, my interest in acting grew because my fascination with storytelling grew. Storytelling has the power to challenge norms and amplify marginalized voices—a passion that aligns seamlessly with Iron Crow Theatre’s mission. I must mention that I trained at the Theatre Lab in Washington, DC, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a place to fine-tune their skills.
My journey into acting began in childhood. I was a quiet child and my Mom thought acting would be a good way to bring out my personality. As I grew older, my interest in acting grew because my fascination with storytelling grew. Storytelling has the power to challenge norms and amplify marginalized voices—a passion that aligns seamlessly with Iron Crow Theatre’s mission. I must mention that I trained at the Theatre Lab in Washington, DC, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a place to fine-tune their skills.
You are a critically acclaimed member of Iron Crow not only as an actor but you are also on the board. Tell us what you do as a board member and why it is so important to be involved with the company in this way.
Iron Crow isn’t just a theater company—it’s Baltimore’s only professional LGBTQ+ theater, dedicated to “exploring the queer experience through bold, unapologetic storytelling.” As a board member, I help steer initiatives that align with this vision, from fundraising for boundary-pushing works (like “An Act of God”) to fostering partnerships that amplify underrepresented voices. My activism against systemic inequities, such as housing discrimination and corruption, informs this work; both require dismantling oppressive structures. By bridging art and advocacy, Iron Crow doesn’t just entertain—it ignites dialogue, much like how the DC Theater Arts review praised our production for its “audacious humor that challenges earthly and divine authority.”
Iron Crow isn’t just a theater company—it’s Baltimore’s only professional LGBTQ+ theater, dedicated to “exploring the queer experience through bold, unapologetic storytelling.” As a board member, I help steer initiatives that align with this vision, from fundraising for boundary-pushing works (like “An Act of God”) to fostering partnerships that amplify underrepresented voices. My activism against systemic inequities, such as housing discrimination and corruption, informs this work; both require dismantling oppressive structures. By bridging art and advocacy, Iron Crow doesn’t just entertain—it ignites dialogue, much like how the DC Theater Arts review praised our production for its “audacious humor that challenges earthly and divine authority.”
How challenging has it been changing roles for each performance based on the audience each evening. Are you enjoying the improvisation of it all and have there been any surprises?
This show is a wild ride! As the MD Theatre Guide noted, the script’s “razor-sharp wit” thrives on audience interaction. When I’m selected to play God, I get the chance to adapt my newly minted commandments nightly based on the crowd’s energy. One night, a spectator’s slight retort to being heckled by God after returning from the bathroom (mid-show, no less! lol) sparked a hilarious debate about divine hypocrisy. On another night, the audience’s quiet introspection led to a touching moment about human vulnerability. The improvisation, though, keeps us on our toes, but it’s a thrill to collaborate with the audience in real-time. As WYPR highlighted in their review, the show’s blend of “existential questions and laugh-out-loud humor” feels fresh every night.
This show is a wild ride! As the MD Theatre Guide noted, the script’s “razor-sharp wit” thrives on audience interaction. When I’m selected to play God, I get the chance to adapt my newly minted commandments nightly based on the crowd’s energy. One night, a spectator’s slight retort to being heckled by God after returning from the bathroom (mid-show, no less! lol) sparked a hilarious debate about divine hypocrisy. On another night, the audience’s quiet introspection led to a touching moment about human vulnerability. The improvisation, though, keeps us on our toes, but it’s a thrill to collaborate with the audience in real-time. As WYPR highlighted in their review, the show’s blend of “existential questions and laugh-out-loud humor” feels fresh every night.
Besides the fun, what important messages do you hope the production delivers?
While “An Act of God” is riotously funny, it’s also a Trojan horse for deeper questions. The play interrogates who gets to define morality—a theme that resonates with my housing justice work. Just as I challenge nonprofits to address exploitative housing development practices in East Baltimore, the show satirizes divine authoritarianism, asking, “What if God is just…bad at their job?” The DC Theater Arts review nailed it: beneath the “divine comedy” lies a call to embrace ambiguity and hold power accountable. We want audiences to leave questioning not just scripture, but the systems that dictate their lives.
While “An Act of God” is riotously funny, it’s also a Trojan horse for deeper questions. The play interrogates who gets to define morality—a theme that resonates with my housing justice work. Just as I challenge nonprofits to address exploitative housing development practices in East Baltimore, the show satirizes divine authoritarianism, asking, “What if God is just…bad at their job?” The DC Theater Arts review nailed it: beneath the “divine comedy” lies a call to embrace ambiguity and hold power accountable. We want audiences to leave questioning not just scripture, but the systems that dictate their lives.
What other projects do you have coming up? Is there a role or roles you would like to tackle in the future that you have not yet done?
Post-God, I’m eager to dive into roles that merge art and activism. Iron Crow’s upcoming season includes works that dissect queer identity and systemic oppression—themes close to my heart. With that said, you can see me as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in “The Rocky Horror Show” this summer. Long-term, I’d love to write new plays that, like “An Act of God,” use humor as a weapon against complacency. Offstage, I’ll continue my housing advocacy in Baltimore (more information available here: stationeastlighthouse.com) because theater and activism are two sides of the same coin: both demand we imagine a better world—and then fight for it!
Post-God, I’m eager to dive into roles that merge art and activism. Iron Crow’s upcoming season includes works that dissect queer identity and systemic oppression—themes close to my heart. With that said, you can see me as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in “The Rocky Horror Show” this summer. Long-term, I’d love to write new plays that, like “An Act of God,” use humor as a weapon against complacency. Offstage, I’ll continue my housing advocacy in Baltimore (more information available here: stationeastlighthouse.com) because theater and activism are two sides of the same coin: both demand we imagine a better world—and then fight for it!
“An Act of God” runs through January 26, 2025 at the Baltimore Theatre Project, 45 West Preston Street, Baltimore MD 21201. For more information and to purchase tickets, please go online.
