Our guest for this month's Feature Friday is Nathan Simmons.

Nathan is an actor of compelling presence and range, best known for his role as Elgin Williams on the supernatural horror-mystery series FROM.

Hailing from the historical Black communities of East and North Preston in Nova Scotia, Simmons brings both authenticity and nuance to his craft.

He graduated from the acting program at the Fountain School of the Arts in 2017, laying a solid foundation in theatre before making the transition to screen. Early in his career, Simmons distinguished himself in Canadian theatre, earning recognition and accolades for his stage work in Halifax and beyond.

His screen credits include appearances in the legal drama Diggstown, the sketch comedy series This Hour Has 22 Minutes, and independent films like Black Cop.

In FROM, Simmons' character Elgin arrives in the enigmatic township after having premonitions that forewarn the arrival of the town's grim dangers. His portrayal combines youthful urgency with an underlying sense of dread, capturing the show's tension between the ordinary and the unfathomable.

Off-screen, Simmons is also a musician, often performing live in Halifax venues — a testament to his multi-dimensional artistic instincts. With a bright future ahead, he continues to cultivate roles that challenge him and expand his profile across North American productions.

It was a pleasure to host this month's Feature Friday episode with the muti-talented Nathan Simmons!

Stay tuned for part 2 coming November 13th!!

Show notes:

00:00 - Introduction to Nathan Simmons

01:57 - Grade-3 heartbreak: skipping the Annie audition & sensing the calling

06:15 - University pivot: sciences → theatre

13:17 - Imagination as a superpower

16:13 - Presence & prep work

18:22 - Nathan's acting technique

27:10 - A teacher's nudge

40:32 — "Marble in honey": Philip Akin's metaphor for truth in performance

45:41 — On FROM: good people, taking your space, humility vs. knowing your worth