“You’re always going to be exactly where you’re supposed to be. Trust the timing and trust that you’re always planting seeds.” – Nella Cole
The roots of performing always have to begin somewhere. For performer Nella Cole, her roots trace back to her foundation in dance.
“I knew that I was interested in performing at a young age, but I was more drawn to acting,” Cole said. “My parents put me into dancing school, and I got really into dance as I spent my entire childhood as a competitive dancer.”
Following Cole’s high school graduation, she immediately began to work in the performing industry.
“I actually opted out of college, and as soon as I graduated high school, I started working right away,” Cole said. “I started auditioning, and began working as a commercial dancer. I wasn’t doing theatre, but I was always a singer as I did voice lessons in high school and was pursuing my own original music.”
In 2018, Cole had the opportunity to audition for an off-Broadway show which sparked her interest in a career in the theatre industry.
“After I auditioned for an off-Broadway show called “This Ain’t No Disco,” and I realized I loved the process and got really into acting. I started taking acting lessons and I’ve been doing theatre ever since,” Cole said.
Later, in Atlanta, she starred in “Becoming Nancy” which was a world premiere musical that was supposed to go to Broadway, but unfortunately never happened due to COVID-19. Following ‘Becoming Nancy,’ Cole performed in numerous shows and tours.
“[After my first show,] I went on to do “Pretty Woman” and “& Juliet” national tours, and now I’m doing “SIX,” Cole said.
Currently, Cole stars as Anne Boleyn on the national tour of “SIX the Musical,” a journey that took years of auditions, callbacks and rejections.
“In the spring of 2025, I got called in to audition to be an alternate on Broadway for “SIX the Musical,” Cole said. “I didn’t get the alternate role on Broadway, but they called and told me that they would love to have me play Boleyn on the national tour.”
In addition to regional theater and “SIX the Musical,” Cole has also been a part of the national tour of “& Juliet”
“I loved my experience with ‘& Juliet’ and I loved the people I got to work with,” Cole said. “It’s very inspiring to look out every night and see 1000s of people, and realize you’re living your dream.”
Moving around from tour to tour can be emotionally and mentally exhausting. Cole finds ways to prioritize her well being through various activities, including her creative shop, Vanella.
“I have to be really diligent about eating, sleeping and resting my voice, but I also have to find time to go see my friends or hang out with the cast,” Cole said. “I also love to make accessories or artwork. I started a TikTok shop this year, and I’m going to be expanding and building when I get home to New York.”
As the national tour of “SIX the Musical,” approaches its closing date, Cole plans to continue auditioning in hopes of booking jobs on Broadway, TV and film.
“I’m definitely wanting to go back to New York, and would love to be in a show on Broadway,” Cole said. “I’m going to be auditioning and seeing what comes next, but I would also love to do TV and film. That’s a huge goal of mine that I want to start to work towards.”
