Nick and Rebecca Spear shine on stage

William Shakespeare once wrote: “All the world’s a stage,/And all the men and women merely players…”

Nick and Rebecca Spear love being players on the stage. The couple has been gracing stages around the Flathead Valley with performances since they moved to Whitefish in 2007, but each of their journeys began much earlier.

Rebecca was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. She attended the University of Missouri — Columbia, originally in pursuit of a degree in education. Her love for performance art eventually won out, and she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in theater.

After graduation, she auditioned, applied and was accepted to San Diego State University’s theater program. In 1998 she moved to San Diego.

That’s where her path collided with Nick’s.

Nick was born and raised in San Diego. He was drawn at a young age to music, theater and performing arts, so it made sense to pursue a theater degree at San Diego State University.

Rebecca recalled the first time she saw him, at a rehearsal for a production of “Opal.” Nick’s character was a guitar player with a funny line that made her laugh.

Nick remembered hearing her laugh, and was startled because he didn’t think anyone was watching the rehearsal.

The two became fast friends.

“I was in a new place, trying to make friends and see everything,” Rebecca said.

“And I was like, ‘settle down, kid,’” Nick said, laughing.

After their first year in grad school, the pair found themselves ready to transition into something more serious than friendship.

“You know, summer lovin’,” Rebecca said. “It was a super easy transition.”

“Friendship is still our modus operandi,” Nick added.

Both graduated with master’s degrees in theatre from San Diego State University and were married in 2001. They moved to New York City to chase their dreams of performing.

“Going into the arts isn’t a career choice; it’s a way of life,” Nick said.

The couple moved into their apartment in New York on Sept. 1, 2001. A week and a half later, everything changed.

The Sept. 11, 2001, attacks left behind a permanently changed nation, but nowhere were the effects more deeply felt than in New York City.

“I was on 40th and Broadway when it happened,” Nick said. “We were both OK — out of harm’s way — but it was surreal.

“People took a huge stop. In the aftermath, it was such a beautiful place to be,” with everyone coming together as a united city.

Nick and Rebecca lived in New York City for about two and a half years. The couple worked a variety of odd jobs to make ends meet, but also continued to perform, audition and hone their artistic skills.

In 2004 the couple was cast in the same San Diego production, which brought them back to the West Coast. They returned to San Diego and continued to perform.

During that time, Nick’s mother and stepfather had relocated to Bigfork. During one of Nick and Rebecca’s trips to the Flathead to visit, the couple decided it was a good place to put down roots.

“I grew up [in San Diego], but it never felt like home,” Nick said. “Neither did New York. Looking in the rear-view, it felt like we got out of jail.”

The pair moved to Whitefish in 2007, and have since become involved in performing arts in every corner of the valley.

“We’re constantly inspired by the natural beauty and people here,” Rebecca said. “It’s a good balance for us. It really is a magical community.”

Rebecca has performed, directed and taught with the Alpine Theatre Project, Whitefish Theatre Co. and the Flathead Valley Community College Theatre Arts Department. Both Rebecca and Nick are adjunct faculty members at the college. She said that having the opportunity to teach at various levels and work with young actors has been particularly fulfilling.

“It’s totally my jam,” she said.

Nick has also appeared in, written and directed a variety of theater productions around town, including a few of his own original shows. He teaches theater classes at the college, does voice acting work and writes music for television shows and ads. He is also a singer, songwriter and guitarist. He has a variety of solo projects, including playing live shows and an album in the works, but is probably best known as the front man of the New Wave Time Trippers.

Rebecca said one of the biggest challenges they face is finding child care in the evenings, because many times their performance schedules overlap.

The couple’s daughter, Madeline, just started kindergarten this year.

“She’s our peanut,” Rebecca said. “Kids in theory are so much more scary than actually. It’s awesome.”

Madeline is a nut that didn’t fall far from the trees — some of her favorite things orbit around the arts. She loves to dance, draw and dress up. The whole family enjoys watching movies together.

Which may explain why Madeline does a great Christopher Walken impression.

Rebecca said that even with all their projects and individual interests, the family still makes time to enjoy the outdoors, too. They like to hike and ski especially.

Nick said that Madeline is a Montana kid through and through.

“Not even kidding; her first word was ‘moose,’” Nick said. “Her favorite food is steak. If that’s not Montana, I don’t know what is.”

Nick said that juggling all of their work and projects can be challenging, but it’s nothing that can’t be overcome with good communication and respect for each other’s time and talents.

“If the other needs help, we’ll jump on the bandwagon,” he said.

Rebecca agreed. She said they are masters of supporting each other.

“I got the better deal,” Rebecca said of Nick.

“I think that’s the secret,” Nick added. “Always thinking you got the better deal.”

Entertainment editor Stefanie Thompson can be reached at 758-4439 or ThisWeek@dailyinterlake.com.