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Nathan Renner-Johnson

@itsnaterj

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New episode 🎙️ We got Nathan Renner-Johnson and Sasha Jin Schwartz to break down what actually makes a theater set happen. Nathan runs Philadelphia Scenic Works, the nation’s first nonprofit scene shop, essentially a shared resource pool so theaters don’t literally dumpster their sets after one run. Sasha’s a freelance set designer who once toured a show with every actor’s costume packed into their own suitcase to dodge shipping costs. Also, Nathan showed up with a gift bag of mini espresso martinis mid-recording, so this one ranks up there in terms of recording session fun. 🍸🎭

Follow @itsnaterj @phlscenicworks @salsaschwartz

#PhillyHasHeart #PhiladelphiaScenicWorks #PhillyTheater #SetDesign #PhillyPodcast taken in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania by @itsnaterj

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8 days ago

It's Fall Arts Fest day! taken in Kimmel Center by @itsnaterj

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a month ago

Congratulations to Philadelphia Scenic Works on their new PERMANENT home in Yeadon! ⚒️

@phlscenicworks taken in Philadelphia Scenic Works by @itsnaterj

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2 months ago

Back with our final days on the cruise - a rainy one in the Alaskan rainforest at a native Alaskan village and a lumberjack timber sports show, spending the afternoon of America’s 250th birthday in the Canadian sunshine and the evening in Victoria, BC, eating the best soft serve dip of our lives 😹😹😹 by @itsnaterj

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3 months ago

We lost someone today...someone so huge and who I'm compelled to write something about but who is impossible to sum up in words. An icon? A legend? A compassionate and loving friend? One-in-a-billion talent? Dito Van Reigersberg, also known to many as Martha Graham Cracker. Dito touched so many people and was so massive in the community (and not just in heels). I feel honored to be such a small part of his story. He was such a big part of mine. I keep trying to reflect on all the ways our lives intersected, all the projects we worked on, how foundational he was to my experience being a young gay theatre maker in a new city. He was a part of my first fulltime job in Philly, my first show here, and in New York, workshops, fundraisers, a tour to Poland.

One of my favorite experiences with Dito was the little gay campy show he made at Pig Iron with Jenn Kidwell called Fire Burns Hot. Born out a silly idea in a barn and way too many costumes, I had the district pleasure of experiencing the show on the upstage side of clothing rack at old Tabu as they ran around in circles throwing wigs and costumes at me racing from one character to the next. Pure joy, pure play, from two geniuses and I got to witness the whole thing from a foot away under 24" inches of blonde curls.

My photos of Dito are mostly grainy, blurry shots from an old phone in a dark theater, during a sound check or running from one cue to another during a performance. I am going to treasure them forever. I am going to treasure you forever.

I love you Dito. Rest in peace. by @itsnaterj

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4 months ago

Somehow I ended up designing scenery for seven (!) school musicals this semester... which feels absolutely bananas in highsight. There's something so satisfying in making the most of what resources we've got and helping students experience the joy of doing musical theater.

Also so many kudos to the geniuses I work with who turned my chicken scratches into some real, safe, and beautiful. And to the students and staff at our partner schools who did a lot of the finish work.

Any guesses on which shows these are? I'll bake you a cooke if you can guess either of the last two! taken in Philadelphia Scenic Works by @itsnaterj

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5 months ago

I'm feeling a little sad today. For many reasons...the state of the country not the least among them... but also because today would have been my mom's 65th birthday. She passed almost 10 years ago, so this isn't a fresh wound, but it still hurts everytime I have an urge to pick up the phone and call her. She would have loved this snow dump so she could go cross-country skiing. by @itsnaterj

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9 months ago

♥️🧡💛💚💙💜 by @itsnaterj

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9 months ago

Can't believe after 4 years, my baby is heading to his last day at daycare today. 😭😭 BRB JUST BAWLING MY EYES OUT. kindergarten next week by @itsnaterj

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a year ago

taken in Garden of the Gods by @itsnaterj

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a year ago

#nokings taken in Media Courthouse by @itsnaterj

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a year ago

taken in Media, Pennsylvania by @itsnaterj

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a year ago