Nathan Shelton is a trained highly-skilled performing artist with over thirty years of experience.
Originally from southwest Missouri, Nathan started working professionally at the age of ten. He went on to attend Missouri State University, where he studied toward a BFA in Acting. He is a proud union member of both SAG-AFTRA and AEA.
Nathan continues to work across the country as an actor, writer, director, and designer. He also serves as a private coach, script doctor, and teaches acting, directing, & SFX Makeup Design (including instructing for over a decade with Northwestern University’s prestigious NHSI “Cherubs” Film Institute).
Nathan was honored to have joined the exciting table read of a new screenplay by writer/director, Beth Ashby. He performed, along with an outstanding group of industry professionals, in front of a live IFA/SAG-AFTRA audience at the Chicago office in February 2025. AT THE TABLE is a volunteer program that SAG-AFTRA Chicago partners with IFA Chicago in an effort to introduce SAG-AFTRA to up and coming filmmakers through the reading of their "soon-to-be" produced feature films.
In October 2024, Nathan returned to Missouri for a stage production of THE WOMAN IN BLACK at the historic Fox Theatre in downtown Springfield, MO. Nathan co-stars in this thrilling stage adaptation of the classic novel with longtime friend and fellow Arcane Production team member, Heath Hillhouse. This play had a limited two-week run from October 18th-27th 2024, and was well received by local audiences and the press.
Nathan is incredibly proud to be part of The CHICAGO FILM SQUAD as an industry professional advisor to some of the most talented young filmmakers he's been fortunate enough to work with. The CFS is a student-led film cooperative that aims to form a community of young filmmakers Chicago and beyond. By bringing together aspiring actors, directors, writers, cinematographers, and editors, CFS provides a collaborative space where students can share ideas, develop their craft, and produce original films.
Nathan had the honor of serving as a full time faculty member of Northwestern University's prestigious Cherubs NHSI Film Institute in 2024, where he had the opportunity to work alongside many outstanding filmmakers, teaching & mentoring immensely talented students from all over the world. Nathan has worked with the organization for over a decade, teaching workshops in SFX makeup. This past summer, he was asked come on full time and work with amazingly talented actors from across the globe. Nathan also had the opportunity to mentor young filmmakers in creating some outstanding short films throughout the five-week program. NHSI has a long history of helping develop talented individuals who have gone on to great success, such as Cloris Leachman, Noah Wyle, David Schwimmer, & Pedro Pascal.
Films, videos, & web series created by Nathan Shelton and the creatives of Arcane Productions.
Podcasts & Audio productions from Nathan Shelton and the devious minds at Arcane.
Stage productions directed and designed by Nathan Shelton with Arcane Productions
ARCANE Creations by SFX Makeup Designer & Monster-Maker, Nathan Shelton. *hand-made unique one-of-a-kind collectables.
YELLOW is an award-winning Sci-Fi short film from director, Ryan Piotrowski, and writer, Nathan Shelton. Winner of "BEST SCI-FI FILM" - SATO48 (2022)
Nathan's internationally acclaimed web series was honored to have been nominated for 7 awards in Italy's Bilbao Web Fest, including Best Web Series and Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Horror.
Nathan's internationally acclaimed web series was nominated for BEST HORROR in the Vancouver Web Fest, and won the Peoples Choice Award at Melbourne Web Fest in Australia.
Nathan's internationally acclaimed web series was honored to have been nominated for 4 awards in the Miami Web Fest, including Best Horror.
Nathan's short play, Tinker Toys, won the Critic's Choice Award at the 2005 Samuel French Short Play Festival in NYC.
