Nathan Tysen


Nathan Tysen is an American songwriter and Broadway lyricist. He has collaborated with composer Chris Miller for many years. Their musicals include Revival, Dreamland, Tuck Everlasting, The Burnt Part Boys, Fugitive Songs, and The Mysteries of Harris Burdick. He has also collaborated with songwriter Dan Messé of the band Hem on lyrics for the Broadway musical Amélie starring Philippa Soo. Television work includes songs for Sesame Street, Elmo's World, and the Electric Company.

Biography

Tysen was born in Kingston, New York and spent his infancy in Woodstock, New York. He moved to Salina, Kansas when he was three. He graduated from Salina High School South, to study at Missouri State University with a BFA in musical theatre. While attending MSU, he wrote his first musical, Noah’s Art with composer Ryan McCall. In 1999, Tysen moved to New York City and received his MFA at New York University’s Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program. It was at NYU that Tysen started collaborating with Miller. Their thesis musical, The Burnt Part Boys, was given a world premiere at Barrington Stage Company, and a subsequent Off-Broadway run at Playwrights Horizons. Tysen has written five other musicals with Miller.
He is also an accomplished writer and performer of children’s music, penning tunes for Sesame Street, The Electric Company, Storytime By Design, and Little Maestros. He has worked for over two decades writing and directing for the Lovewell Institute for the Creative Arts, helping to create numerous new musicals with young adults. He plays in the band Joe’s Pet Project.
Tysen is married to lyricist and playwright Kait Kerrigan. The couple has one child.

Works