Meet Jim Nieb | Actor, improvisor, and acting coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jim Nieb and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jim, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I was born in Ohio but raised by a widowed mother in the Virginia suburbs outside of Washington, D.C. Although I had three older half-siblings I had to spend a lot of time alone using my imagination for entertainment. For the first three years of my life I was in and out of the Walter Reed hospital quite a bit. Often in more than out. So I really had to get comfortable being alone and entertaining myself. I also think that was a contributing factor to becoming a performer. The more entertaining I was the more attention I would get from the nurses. That is only my speculation of course. haha

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have been described before as a puppy. I love people to like me. And that is actually something I’ve had to really work on in my life. Not trying to be a people pleaser all the time without losing my kindness and empathy. Having been given the great privilege of being an acting coach over the years may be something I am most appreciative of. When I was at Playhouse West, a Meisner-based school of acting, I was allowed to begin a comedy program there mainly focused on teaching improvisation. Since the Meisner technique is so grounded in improvisation it seemed like a very natural thing to do. However, it wasn’t anything that had ever been offered at that well-established school before in its nearly 30 year history. I’m quite proud that I was able to start it, grow it, and successfully continue it for 8 years with so many talented actors going through the program over the years. Adapting my teaching style to incorporate and merge my improv comedy experience with my Meisner training. It wasn’t easy. My acting career was put on a back-burner for a while. However, I wouldn’t have had it any other way. There was some resistance over the years even with the support I was receiving. Yet the program still thrived. Being at Margie Haber’s studio the last 7 years has helped me to become a better coach and teacher. Learning to come from a place of patience and empathy. And I’ve learned better how to let go of my ego and forgive myself for being human and making mistakes as long as I can learn from them. And to pass that on to my students to help empower them.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
What I love about living in the Los Angeles area, well southern California as a whole, is all the options. If I had a week off I would absolutely want to explore the live performance options in town from live theater (maybe at the Broadwater in Hollywood) and comedy (UCB and Groundlings are great options) to live music options. We would most certainly be making our way to Joshua Tree National park for, at least, a day trip. It’s one of my most favorite places nearby L.A. County. We would walk along the Santa Monica boardwalk to see some of the iconic views at sunset and interesting characters. The Farmers Market in Hollywood as well would be on the list. A dusk drive along Mulholland Drive or hike on one of the millions of trails in the area. A visit to Griffith Park as well. The trains at Travel Town comes to mind as well as the Autry Museum. Depending on the time of year a show at the Hollywood Bowl or a movie at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery would be fun. Maybe even a Disneyland trip would be on that list as well. Then we might even head up to Big Bear Lake for a night or two. I’m not big on bars so probably places where we could people watch and talk.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I am where I am because of so many kind, generous, and amazingly talented human beings. Friends, family, mentors. However, my mom has always been my number 1 supporter in so many ways. Always leaving me space to explore and make my own mistakes and trying to be there when I tripped. Honestly too many people have contributed to where and who I am today for me to attempt to mention them all. I will most certainly leave someone out. However, if you and I met and worked together, created together, had meaningful conversation(s) or interactions I am certain I took a part of that with me into the rest of my life. For all those who had my back while I was on my journey of growth and learning I thank you! For those who gave me the opportunity to have a place to perform and teach, ComedySportz DC, Patrick Walsh, Robert Carnegie at Playhouse West and currently Margie Haber at the Margie Haber Studio I cannot thank you enough. Truly. The folks at Cast of Thousands, Tomfoolery, the Maryland Renaissance Festival who gave me more opportunities than I can cover to play and explore myself creatively and personally I thank you. My agents and manager at Commercial Talent, The Library Agency and A.D.S. Management a heartfelt thank you for believing in me. And to my students over the years. THANK YOU. You have given me more than I can ever say. Thank you for giving me your trust over the decades. I have tried to honor you and learn from you so I can be better than before.

Website: www.jimnieb.com

Instagram: @jimniebhere

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JimNiebActor

Youtube: @jimnieb

Other: You can also find me at www.margiehaber.com My IMDb page https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0630573/?fbclid=IwAR32-ZDRHpuAT9GhTsqUWzdReddXnxih_iLQVfutVKDOuGz6sZmDex01KGs

Image Credits
Steven Busby