Associate Artistic Director

Nick was the founding Artistic Director of TimeLine Theatre Company in 1997 and is now TimeLine’s Associate Artistic Director and a Company Member. He cites his interest in antiques and understanding their history as a force that helped shaped TimeLine’s mission. He fondly recalls directing TimeLine’s first show, SUMMIT CONFERENCE: “The best part about the show was that we all played a significant role in its creation and success.”  Nick considers TimeLine his second family.

He is the recipient of eight Jeff Awards for Outstanding Direction (THE HISTORY BOYS, THE NORMAL HEART, FIORELLO!, THIS HAPPY BREED and THE CRUCIBLE at TimeLine, RAGTIME at Marriott Theatre, SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM at Porchlight Music Theatre, and ANOTHER PART OF THE FOREST at Eclipse Theatre) and also received Jeff Award nominations for BLOOD AND GIFTS, THE FARNSWORTH INVENTION, HAUPTMANN and THE LION IN WINTER at TimeLine; CLOSER THAN EVER at Porchlight Music Theatre; and CITY OF ANGELS, THE KING AND I and MAN OF LA MANCHA at Marriott Theatre. Other recent credits at TimeLine include MASTER CLASS, THE AUDIENCE, A DISAPPEARING NUMBER, THE LAST WIFE, DANNY CASOLARO DIED FOR YOU, JUNO, and BLOOD AND GIFTS. Other Chicago credits include OLIVER! and THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY (Marriott), A CHRISTMAS STORY (Paramount), GUYS AND DOLLS and CABARET (Northwestern University), A CATERED AFFAIR (Porchlight), BACH AT LEIPZIG (Writers) and TIME OF THE CUCKOO and FROZEN ASSETS (Shattered Globe).

Raised in Sumner, Iowa, Nick earned a BM degree in Musical Theatre from Catholic University of America, and an MFA degree in Theatre Directing from DePaul University.

Member of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society


Contact Nick Bowling:

773-281-8463 x 129

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In conversation with Nick Bowling and Vanessa Stalling

Right before the start of performances for The Lehman Trilogy, co-directors Nick Bowling (NB) and Vanessa Stalling (VS) sat down with dramaturgs Carol Ann Tan (CAT) and DeRon S. Williams (DSW) to unpack the play, …

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