Nathan Hartswick

Career Highlights:
I started VermontComedyClub.com as a simple calendar of events for people to find comedy shows in Vermont. Now it has grown into a legitimate booking agency, and we’re producing shows, including the Green Mountain Comedy Festival. Plus my wife Natalie Miller and I founded Spark Arts last year, which offers classes and workshops in comedy, theater and music to students of all ages. And I have several bestselling children’s plays published through Pioneer Drama, the largest publisher of children’s drama in the country.  It’s been an exciting couple years! A few other accolades:

Community Involvement:
– Mentoring for Champlain Valley Union High School’s “Grad Challenge”
– Working with interns from South Burlington High School’s Big Picture program. 
– Coach the Connecting Youth (CY) improv team at CVU High School 
– Frequent mentor, theater consultant and accompanist at Camels Hump Middle School
– Co-chair of the performing arts committee for the South End Business Association.
– Produced free improv workshops for kids/teens during the Green Mountain Comedy Festival

Favorite part of job? I think my favorite is teaching my comedy students.

Most inspiring mentor? I grew up in a family of musicians and theater educators, and my parents and grandparents all had a huge impact on me. They were supportive and encouraging of my creative pursuits, and each taught me different lessons, leading by example.
I also had a phenomenal music teacher in high school, John Padden – he’s retired now. He was a jazz educator with a tough exterior who cared deeply for his students.

Who is your living hero? I’m not easily star-struck, but put me in a room with Steve Martin or Stephen Colbert and I’d act like a teenage girl at a Bieber concert.

Favorite downtime activity? My wife and I love going to see local theater productions, films and live music. A nice dinner out is a rare treat. And a good book is always enjoyable.

Favorite Vermont Escape? My family owns 300 acres in the Northeast Kingdom, where they run Oregon Brook Camping, a well-kept secret where campers can get away and connect with nature.

Favorite social network? Just as a carpenter uses different tools for different tasks and with different frequency, I use Facebook, Twitter and Foursquare to different ends. My favorite social network is the human race.

Favorite website? Probably www.npr.org. A close second is www.onion.com.

Vermont Business Person you would most want to network with? Ben & Jerry. Plus their brand (and I assume their founders) have a great sense of humor.