The Road to Broadway: Charlie Niccolini ’17

5/28/2026

For Charlie Niccolini ’17, the road to Broadway began with a love of performance that started at Calvert. From Lower School class plays to Middle School musicals, these early experiences built the foundation. The cornerstone was a pivotal moment in Fifth Grade when Charlie played Baloo in The Jungle Book. This was the first time he received such genuine and positive feedback, which helped him realize he had found something special.

Charlie’s interest in acting grew throughout Middle School as he played roles like Will Parker in Oklahoma! and Danny Zuko in Grease. Theater soon became his favorite after-school activity. Looking back, Charlie credits these experiences with building confidence and a lasting passion for performance.

A defining moment came in 2019, when Charlie landed his first professional role in Richard the Third at the Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, D.C. Charlie says it was the first time he realized that acting could be more than an academic interest and could be a real career path. This led him to Northwestern University, where he studied theater and creative writing.

“I started in musical theater and got away from it a bit in college,” Charlie says. He turned more to plays and shares, “I got focused on living in the moment on stage.”

Now, Charlie makes his Broadway debut in Death of a Salesman, starring Nathan Lane and Laurie Metcalf. His role as an understudy for Young Biff and Young Happy marks an exciting milestone in a journey across stage and screen. His on-camera work includes appearances on Chicago Med, the Coca-Cola America250 campaign, two Samsung projects filmed in Asia, and a role in season 2 of the Hulu series Deli Boys.

While Charlie enjoys both film and theater, he appreciates their distinct energies. “Film has a set arc for characters,” he explains. “With live theater, you can use what you get back from your scene partners on any given night.” That connection continues to draw him to the stage, but he values both worlds.

Charlie embraces his first foray onto Broadway and views it as an opportunity for growth. “Being an understudy is an amazing chance to be part of something incredible while getting to learn,” he shares. “It’s truly like a masterclass every day.”

Charlie says a career in acting requires patience and perspective. “It’s important not to rush it. In this business, success is not linear,” he says.

The significance of surrounding oneself with good people cannot be overstated. “Build your team,” Charlie says, noting the value of mentors and acting coaches. He credits his family with being his biggest supporters, particularly his parents, Michael and Cristina. They were his first managers, helping him navigate auditions and bookings and pursuing his dream.

Perhaps his biggest takeaway: “You’re only as good an actor as you are a person with lived experiences that you can imbue your performances with.”

From Baloo on the Calvert stage to Broadway, Charlie’s story reminds us that many journeys begin with the simple joy of discovering what you love.

Death of a Salesman will run through August 9 at the Winter Garden Theatre.

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