It’s already been quite a year for Nolan White, and this promising young performer is just getting started. White grew up in Franklin, attending Poplar Grove Middle School and graduating from Ensworth High School in 2024. He recently completed his first year in the University of Michigan’s prestigious Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre program before making his national tour debut with the Tony Award winner for Best Musical, The Outsiders: A New Musical.
Based on S.E. Hinton’s groundbreaking 1967 novel and Francis Ford Coppola’s 1983 film, The Outsiders takes audiences back to 1960s Tulsa, where Ponyboy Curtis and his chosen family of greasers “dream about who they want to become in a world that may never accept them.” The musical features a book by Adam Rapp and Justin Levine, with music and lyrics by Jonathan Clay and Zach Chance (from the folk duo Jamestown Revival), alongside Levine. Following tryout stops in Buffalo, N.Y., and Omaha, Neb., the tour officially opened at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center on Oct. 7.
With The Outsiders arriving at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center this week, White — who celebrates his 20th birthday later this month — spoke with Scene sister publication the Williamson Scene about growing up in the area, how he landed the coveted role of Ponyboy and where to get the best poke bowl in Franklin.
When did you first get interested in music and theater, and do you have any specific memories of seeing shows as a kid?
I got started in theater in the sixth grade, when I decided to audition for my middle school’s production of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. I somehow got the part of Schroeder, and just had a blast. That was my first time on the acting side of things, but I’ve always loved music. I’ve grown up around music my whole life, and really enjoy playing guitar and piano.
I also grew up doing competitive gymnastics, which has really helped me with all the stunts and fight choreo in the show. We have a big fight scene — the rumble — in Act II, so some of the training and discipline that I learned in the gym have helped me adapt to stage falls and fake punches and things like that.
Growing up, I definitely went to the [Nashville] Children’s Theatre for a couple of school trips. But the very first show I remember is when my mom took me to see The 101 Dalmatians at TPAC, when I was maybe 5 or 6 years old. I really did not like Cruella de Vil, and I guess I yelled something out and made one of the performers break onstage. Which is so funny because the other night, during one of the final scenes, I ask the actor who plays my brother Sodapop, "Is that OK with you?" And this little girl in the audience yells "YES!" It was the cutest thing ever, but it made me think back to when I did the same thing as a kid — I guess that came back to haunt me.
How was the audition process for The Outsiders, and what’s it been like touring with such a huge hit musical?
Honestly, it’s been quite a ride. They had an open call for the roles of Ponyboy Curtis and Johnny Cade in New York City, which is sort of interesting. I mean, open calls are kind of notorious for being like a big marketing stunt — having a bunch of people show up, and then not actually casting anyone. But my mom sent me the link and asked if I wanted to go. I was like, "Are you serious?" I felt like it was sort of her excuse to see me, and get together for a fun weekend after winter break, so I said, "Why not? Let’s do it." And it was just fantastic. I got to see the show the night before the open call. I showed up at 5:30 in the morning, waiting in line for like three hours. Then I got my chance to go in there and sing for one of the casting directors for like three minutes or so. I sang "Broken Halos" by Chris Stapleton, and that was it.
It was an amazing experience, and ever since I got the call, everyone has been so supportive. I’m really lucky to have such an awesome group of people around me, who’ve helped me navigate this whole situation. My parents have been incredible, and my professors and the head of the program, Cynthia Kortman Westphal, have helped me figure everything out. I’m on a leave of absence right now, and the door is open for me to come back to school, if I like. And that’s the plan, as of now, but who knows what the future will hold?
I’m still learning a lot about life on the road, and how to pace myself and stay healthy. As a student, the run of a show is like a weekend. You do three shows, and you’re done. So to be doing six shows a week feels kind of crazy. But it’s all been so exciting. [White’s alternate, Jordan DeAndre Williams, plays Ponyboy at certain performances.]
How familiar were you with The Outsiders prior to your audition, and what’s it been like to take on the role of Ponyboy Curtis?
I was familiar with the film, but hadn’t seen it in its entirety. But I read the book in middle school, and just remember really relating to the character of Ponyboy. I mean, I think everyone feels like a little bit of an outsider at that age. But being a guy who was into sports, but also very into the arts, it was hard to know where you fit in sometimes. I just remember thinking that Ponyboy was a little different than the other greasers, and having him own that really made an impression on me.
I feel so honored getting to play such an iconic character, and it was important to me to portray Ponyboy with authenticity — to really put myself back in the shoes of a 14-year-old. Even though that’s only like five years ago for me, it still can feel so far away. But our director, Danya Taymor, has definitely helped all of us to get into that mindset — that sense of play you have as an adolescent, of not knowing exactly who you are, but yearning to find out.
And because it’s a memory play, I also act as the show’s narrator. So there are times when I’m present in the moment as Ponyboy, bringing his story to life. And then I also need to be able to turn to the audience and explain what’s happening. It’s an interesting challenge, but I think it brings the audience into the story in such a unique way.
Is there a particular song or scene that you look forward to performing each night?
I love singing “Far Away From Tulsa.” That’s probably my favorite song, and the connection that I get to share with Bonale Fambrini — our Johnny Cade — is so special. And being up on that jungle gym is so freeing. I get to sing my heart out up there, and it brings me to tears almost every night. I just love it.
And, of course, the rumble is so amazing. It’s dirty, it’s bloody, it’s brutal, and it’s so much fun. It’s also fun to see how different audiences react to it. You can hear people yell and gasp, and have like a real reaction to someone getting sucker punched in the face, or blood flying up in the air. The lighting, the sound design is all just next level. I can’t wait for Nashville to see it — it’s going to blow your mind.
How does it feel to be bringing The Outsiders to your hometown crowd at TPAC? And what do you hope audiences will take away from the show?
Oh man, I’m so excited to be coming home, and just to see everyone. The first place I’m going is T-op Poke Bowl in Franklin. That’s my favorite poke spot. I’m a huge sushi, ramen and poke guy — so much so that I actually mention it in my playbill bio. But I really love that place, and can’t wait to stop by.
As far as the show goes, I’m just so proud to be part of it. It’s such a powerful story, such a beautiful message, and I’m excited to share that with everyone. In the show, I recite the poem "Nothing Gold Can Stay" by Robert Frost. So I think that my hope is that audiences will leave the theater thinking about what it means to "stay gold." I feel like those two words are so simple, but they can mean so much. I just hope that message will really resonate with Nashville audiences.
This article was first published by our sister publication, the Williamson Scene.
