Awards
2016 Irma P. Hall Black Theatre Award - Best Lighting Design for a Play "Livin' Fat at Jubilee Theatre"
2008-2009 Live Theatre League of Tarrant County: Technical Theatre Excellence of the Year
Live Theatre League Awards 2009
May 11, 2009
Technical Award recipient Nikki DeShea Smith
2009-2010 Season Jubilee Mendie Awards: Best Light Design for Blues in the Night
2008-2009 Season Jubilee Mendie Awards: Best Light Design
Best Lighting Design for a Play - 2016
Live Theatre Technical
Award 2009
Mendie Award
2009-2010
Mendie Award
2008-2009
Reviews
Star Telegram By Mark Lowry Special to DFW.com Posted on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2014
...Garrett keeps the action moving in the small hotel room, without it ever feeling cramped or rushed. He has terrific support from Nikki DeShea Smith’s lighting (which really comes into play late in the show), David Lanza’s sound and Barbara O’Donoghue’s costumes.
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The Mountaintop | Jubilee Theatre By TheaterJones Performing Arts News Feb 10, 2014
...“In that historical-magical vein, Jubilee’s set, sound and lighting designers—Ellen Doyle Mizner, David Lanza and Nikki Deshea Smith—have devised some interesting stage effects that move the story from the piercingly authentic ‘60s motel room (the black Ma Bell dial phone says it all) and into a realm of stars and history.”
JUBILATION THE CHRISTMAS MUSICAL
A Collaboration by Tre Garrett, Geno Young and Jordan Cooper
Jubilee Theatre
Directed by Phyllis Cicero
Reviewed Performance 12/20/2013
Reviewed by Charlie Bowles, Associate Critic for John Garcia's THE COLUMN
“...Lighting by Nikki Deshea Smith gave us a bright space with projected decorations and effects.”
Theater review: Neat is an outstanding (and exhausting) solo performance
Reviewed Performance 10/18/2013
Reviewed by Scott W. Davis , Associate Critic for John Garcia's THE COLUMN
...“In the beginning of Act One I watched the lighting closely. There were templates that came up on curtains, and then disappeared. I couldn’t figure it out at first but then it set in. Lighting Designer Nikki Deshae Smith was differentiating time and place with very subtle light changes that not many would ever notice. Mrs. Smith’s use of isolation was effective in making you concentrate when it was important. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen templates and textures used this well but Mrs. Smith did one heck of a job with them. The lighting really made this show visually stunning.”
Review: Sam Shade: A Detective Musical | DVA Productions | Hardy and Betty Sanders Theatre. DVA Productions’ revival of Sam Shade: A Detective Musical
by Jan Farrington
published Monday, August 26, 2013
...“Nikki DeShea’s lighting design fares better, with clever use of both spotlighting and hand held flashlights as the ensemble roves this “shady” world.”
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Theater review: Dive into the urban Renaissance of Harlem in Knock Me A Kiss
by Charlie Bowles of John Garcia's The Column
...“Nikki DeShea Smith lit the room and actors well, but also included little touches of lighting effects such as the tree shadows on the floor in the street and a subtle set of shadows on the great man’s desk. Is this a subtle hint at the complexity in this man?”
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Theater Review: Jubilee Theatre’s Knock Me A Kiss Wonders If Duty Should Come Before Love
POSTED IN A, RATING, THEATER & DANCE. JUN 04, 2013 AT 9:31 AM
BY LIZ JOHNSTONE
...“Lights, by Nikki Deshae Smith, and the oneCroom set, by Michael Pettigrew,
function beautifully to reveal the essential bits of Harlem: Du Bois’s study,
the sidewalk, places where history was made and changed.”
Home Run!
At African American Repertory Theater, August Wilson's Fences gets the production this play deserves.
by David Novinski
published Tuesday, May 28, 2013
...“The backyard is realistically rendered in Bob Lavallee’s design and lit accordingly by Nikki DeShea Smith’s lights.”
Comedic, Creative and Quirky - Hip Pocket Theatre's Sheena, Queen of the Jungle is an exciting evening of theatre under the stars!
Friday, August 24, 2012
Theater review: Sheena, Queen of the Jungle at Hip Pocket Theatre in
White Settlement
by Richard Blake of John Garcia's The Column
...“Nikki DeShea Smith's lighting design is colorful eye candy in this production. Wonderful use of saturated primary colors with simple patterns and gobos accent every scene perfectly. It is not often a lighting designer can use such rich colors but Ms. DeShea Smith's 'comic book' style design does. Pulling colors right from the comic book pages themselves, which are projected on a large screen on the stage, her designs take you right into those pages and never detract from the action on stage.”
WARRIORS DON'T
CRY (Regional
Premiere)
by Melba Pattillo Beals
Adapted for the stage by Eisa Davis
African American Repertory Theater
Reviewed Performance 6/3/2012
Reviewed by Richard Blake, Associate Critic for John
Garcia's THE COLUMN
...“The lighting design by Nikki DeShea Smith is very well done. Ms. Smith's use of specials and rich color only
when necessary are a true testament to her skill. Template patterns and dramatic side lighting add to the
entire production.”
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WARRIORS DON'T CRY (Regional Premiere) by Melba Pattillo Beals
Adapted for the stage by Eisa Davis
African American Repertory Theater
Theater Review: A Play At African American Rep Asks A Question: Would You Be Strong Enough?
By M. LANCE LUSK
June 4th, 2012 8:54am
...Snatches of primary source audio (McGill), and effective lighting (Nikki DeShea Smith), and period appropriate costumes (Crickett Pettigrew) complete the picture.
PRETTY FIRE
by Charlayne Woodard
Jubilee Theatre
Reviewed Performance 2/19/2012
Reviewed by Charlie Bowles, Associate Critic for John Garcia's THE COLUMN
...“Lighting by Nikki DeShea Smith is so subtle you don't notice them lighting her perfectly as she glides around the stage while hinting at little lighting effects that emphasize parts of the story visually.”
Year in Review: Theater
Mark Lowry picks the 10 best and muses on a year that was made stronger thanks to everybody working together.
by Mark Lowry
published Wednesday, December 28, 2011
...3. Topdog/Underdog, Jubilee Theatre, Fort Worth (September)
“ Two dynamic performances (by Jeremiah and Gregory "Rico" Parker), insightful direction and an excellent design concept (set by Michael Pettigrew, sound by David Lanza, lighting by Nikki Deshea Smith) made it the best production of this play I've seen, and the best production of a play at Jubilee I've seen since I started attending there in the late '90s.”
Monday, November 14, 2011
Theater review: Billie’s Blues at Pantagleize Theatre in
Fort Worth
by Mary L. Clark of John Garcia's The Column
...“The lighting design by Nikki Deshea was also basic cabaret style – dim blue light, generic washes, and two spots was pretty much all that was needed.”
Town and Country
African American Repertory Theater closes its season on a high note with Woman From the Town.
by Perry Stewart
published Monday, May 30, 2011
...“Jennye James' kitchen and living room set is appropriately rustic, and Nikki DeShea Smith's lighting helps achieve a silhouette effect whenever deceased family members are recalled.”
*ETIQUETTE UNRAVELED
Written & directed by Lake Simons & Chad lynch
Hip Pocket Theatre
Through July 18,2010
Performed by Lake Simmons
Reviewed by Clyde Berry, Associate Theatre Critic for John Garcia's THE COLUMN
...“As an outdoor space, the few lights are needed for basic area illumination, and Nikki DeShea Smith's adeptness makes sure we can see everything well.”
African American Rep, In Its
Production of Master Harold... and the
Boys, Once Again Proves Why It’s The
Strongest Small Theater Company in
North Texas
By Elaine Liner Thursday, Oct 22 2009
...“Directed by Sharon Benge, AART's "Master Harold" looks
and sounds just right, with a detailed set by Brynn Bristol, period costumes by Regina
Washington, atmospheric sound design by Craig Wills and warm lighting by Nikki DeShea Smith.”
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Theater review: The Gospel Queen
BY CLYDE BERRY OF JOHN GARCIA'S THE COLUMN
...“His color palate is blues
and grays, which is beautifully lit by Nikki DeShea Smith.”
KMIRANDY AND
BROTHER WIND
by Patricia C. McKissack
Adapted by Michael J Bobbitt
Music and Lyrics by John L. Cornelius
Reviewed Performance 8/26/2013
Reviewed by Eric Bird, Associate Critic for John Garcia's THE COLUMN
“Nikki Deshae Smith’s lighting created a whole ambience which fit perfectly within the context of the show.
This was especially visible in the progression of time by the transition between day and night, the sun and
moon apparent within the set. The lighting was surprisingly used to show wind blowing across the stage
which was effective and enjoyable to see.”
Keyed In
Though long-winded, Jubilee’s interpretation of The Piano Lesson sings.
By JIMMY FOWLER
...“Light designer Nikki DeShea Smith and technical director Michael Pettigrew work small but potent wonders with flickering wall patterns and billowing curtains.”
"The Mountaintop"
"Jubilation The Christmas Musical"
"Neat"
"Sam Shade: A Detective Musical"
"Knock Me a Kiss"
"Fences"
"Sheena, Queen of the Jungle"
"Warriors Don't Cry"
"Pretty Fire"
"Top Dog/Under Dog"
"Billie's Blues"
"Woman from the Town"
"Etetiquette Unravelled"
"Master Harold and the Boys"
"The Gospel Queen"
"Mirandy and Brother Wind"
"The Piano Lesson"
Acknowledgments
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