Nick Doetsch is honored to be invited on this journey. Already an actor in the Dream for the Stars DVD, the bike trip seems like an exciting bonus and great opportunity. Growing up, Nick did not experience much in the way of abuse, but through some trying grade school years of seizures and health problems, he learned how important a supportive family can be and, ultimately, how damaging it can be to not have a nurturing home.
Acting and performing served as an outlet and therapy for Nick’s feelings of being the odd man out, as a young boy. He participated in school plays and performed stage magic shows with his brother, Joshua (who is also participating in the bike ride to New York) and they still occasionally perform their show as adults. Acting grew from an outlet into a career path for Nick. It is his continuing way to dream for the stars. Looking back, Nick sees that Joshua was not only his older brother, but his closest friend, who was always there for him. In life you can’t always go it alone and Nick hopes that going on the bicycle trip with his brother will help illustrate the importance of supportive family.
Nick continues acting in the Chicago area. He received a nomination for the Irene Ryan Award in college. He has performed in numerous independent and feature films. Currently, he is developing a comedy skit show with his brother and friends. Nick also earns money as a school portrait photographer—and enjoys the energy and enthusiasm of working with children.
“We’re doing this for the children” can sound cliche, but Nick believes that we join causes like this because we were, all of us, children at one time or another. We know what it was like, what caring, support, and cultivation we would want to receive, either from the example of the nurturing we have received or, conversely, the nurturing we did not.
