austin nation

Some people live one life. Austin Nation lives several, and he does all of them out loud.

By day, Austin is an Administrative Resource Nurse (ARN) / House Supervisor at Providence St. Jude. By night (and whenever the stage calls), he is a drag performer, storyteller, and one of Southern California's most unforgettable solo theater artists.

Diagnosed with HIV/AIDS at the age of 26, Austin's story is one of a person coming face-to-face with their own mortality. What followed was a journey through addiction, survival, identity, and transformation that most people wouldn't survive, let alone turn into art.

He did both.

His autobiographical solo show, Becoming Austin Nation: From Crack to PhD, A Drag Queen's Story, was nominated by BroadwayWorld Los Angeles for Best Cabaret/Concert/Solo Performance and has performed Off-Broadway in New York City. The show has since toured Southern California stages, including the Long Beach Playhouse and the Curtis Theatre in Brea.

Austin doesn't separate his worlds; he lets them collide. The professor who teaches nurses how to save lives is the same person who gets on stage and tells the truth about nearly losing his own. That collision is exactly what makes him worth watching.

Austin Nation, Associate Professor of Nursing at Cal State Fullerton and solo theater performer, smiling portrait

The Actor

Before the solo shows. Before the drag. Before the PhD. Austin Nation has been acting, singing, and dancing his entire life — from community theater to Disneyland to Off-Broadway New York City.

Backstage
ACTORS ACCESS

For casting inquiries and full resume, visit Austin's professional profiles:

SELECTED THEATRE CREDITS

  • Self / A'Freeka Nature

    • Wayward Artist

    • Hollywood Fringe Festival

    • Edinburgh Fringe Festival

    • Curtis Theatre

    • Long Beach Playhouse

    • Maverick Theatre

    • Off-Broadway NYC

  • Self / A'Freeka Nature

    • Aurora Theatre

    • Long Beach Playhouse

    • Kraine Theatre NYC

  • Troy Maxson

    • Studio Two

  • The Lion

    • Millikan Theatre

  • Dave Moss

    • Dodson Theatre

  • Horse

    • Attic Theatre

    • Costa Mesa Playhouse

  • Judas Understudy

    • Belmont Players

  • Shave Contest / Quintet

    • Fullerton College

  • Dr. Grimwig ·

    • Southeast Civic Light Opera

  • Uncle Remus

    • Disneyland USA

Training

  • Acting — Don Richardson (UCLA) · Squire Fridell · Tony Reverditto

  • Dance — Ballet · Modern · Jazz with John Traub and Helen Daly

  • Musical Theatre & Voice — Gary Krinke · Jo Monteleone

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

  • BroadwayWorld Los Angeles — Best Cabaret, Concert & Solo Performance — 2nd Place 2022

  • Outstanding Young Men of America

SPECIAL SKILLS

Stage combat · Disco dancing · Horseback riding · Slapstick · Skating · Sewing · Drive any vehicle · CPR certified · Registered Nurse · Extensive international travel — Europe, South America, Mexico, South Africa

PERFORMANCE VIDEOS

Growing Up Gay

Austin sits down with LGBTQ Archives to share the story of growing up Black and gay in America. Honest, personal, and unforgettable.

Becoming Austin Nation

The show that started it all. Watch Austin perform his autobiographical solo piece live at the Wayward Artist.

Connect with Me

For booking, speaking engagements, or press inquiries related to Austin's academic work

Connect with Austin