Hailed as “thrillingly powerful” by The New York Times and “a major talent” by The Toronto Star, Marcus Nance is one of North America's most versatile performers, moving seamlessly between opera, musical theatre, film, and cabaret. A two-time Dora Award winner (2024, 2025) and 2025 Toronto Critics’ Award recipient, he was named My Entertainment World’s 2023 Performer of the Year, celebrated as “one of Canada’s greatest musical theatre talents.”
Stage and Musical Theatre
Recent highlights include Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 (Mirvish, Crow’s/Musical Stage), A Strange Loop(Soulpepper), The Little Prince (Pacific Opera Victoria), Cymbeline, Frankenstein Revived, and Richard II (Stratford Festival), and H.M.S. Pinafore (Vancouver Opera).
On Broadway, Marcus appeared in Jesus Christ Superstar and Baz Luhrmann’s Tony-winning La Bohème.
A longtime member of the Stratford Festival, Marcus has spent twelve seasons in leading roles including the monster (Frankenstein Revived), Caiaphas (Jesus Christ Superstar), Jupiter (Cymbeline), Queequeg (Moby Dick), and Reverend J.D. Montgomery (My One and Only). His acclaimed solo show Voice of a Preacher’s Son premiered on Stratfest@Home, the Festival’s digital streaming platform.
Opera
Marcus has earned international acclaim for his commanding voice and dramatic presence. He originated the role of Moses in the world premiere of Beatrice Chancy (Queen of Puddings Music Theatre) and received a Dora Award nomination for his performance as the original Malcolm in the world premiere of Atom Egoyan’s Elsewhereless (Tapestry New Opera Works).
Other notable credits include Sparafucile in Rigoletto (Tacoma Opera), the Compère in Four Saints in Three Acts (Chicago Opera Theatre), Basilio in The Barber of Seville (Monterey Opera Association), and Ali in L’Italiana in Algeri (Hawaii Opera Theatre). He also appeared as Bass soloist in the Juno-nominated Dark Star Requiem (Tapestry Opera).
Film and Television
Marcus made his film debut in Mel Brooks’ The Producers and has appeared in Queen Tut, Murdoch Mysteries, Good Sam, Departure, and Mayday.
Teaching and Leadership
A dedicated educator, Marcus teaches voice at Wilfrid Laurier University, Stratford Summer Music Vocal Academy, and Sheridan College. He has led masterclasses and adjudicated festivals across Canada and the U.S., and served on the International Congress of Voice Teachers (ICVT) 2025 Program Committee.
Marcus is a proud member of CAEA, ACTRA, and NATS.
