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Niegel Smith

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Niegel Smith BIO

Niegel Smith is a director, writer, and performance artist known for his innovative and socially conscious work. He was born in the Bronx and raised in Maryland, and he holds a B.A. in directing from Howard University and an M.F.A. in playwriting from the Yale School of Drama.
Smith has directed a wide range of productions, from classic plays to experimental works. He is perhaps best known for his work with the theater company The Flea, where he served as artistic director from 2012-2017. During his tenure, he oversaw the development of numerous new plays and helped to establish The Flea as a leading venue for cutting-edge theater in New York City.
Smith's directing credits at The Flea include the world premiere of Thomas Bradshaw's "Burning," which was named a New York Times Critics' Pick, and the critically acclaimed production of "These Seven Sicknesses," a seven-hour adaptation of all of Sophocles' surviving plays. He also directed the world premiere of "Hatef**k" by Rehana Lew Mirza, which was a finalist for the 2019 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
In addition to his work at The Flea, Smith has directed productions at a number of other theaters in New York and beyond. He has worked with companies such as the Public Theater, the New York Theatre Workshop, and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and he has directed plays by playwrights such as Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, Suzan-Lori Parks, and Tarell Alvin McCraney.
In addition to his directing work, Smith is also a writer and performance artist. He has created a number of solo shows and performance pieces, including "Neighborhood Watch," which explores issues of race and gentrification in Brooklyn, and "F**king Up Everything," a rock musical that he co-wrote and directed.
Outside of the theater world, Smith has also worked in film and television. He served as a writer and director on the HBO series "Room 104," and he has directed music videos for artists such as Janelle Monáe and Hercules and Love Affair.
Most recently, Smith directed the world premiere of "Anatomy of a Suicide" by Alice Birch at Atlantic Theater Company. The play, which explores three generations of women struggling with mental illness, was praised by critics for its innovative structure and emotional depth.

Niegel Smith Photos

Niegel Smith Productions

 
[Off-Off-Broadway, 2020]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2015]
Director
 
[West End, 2010]
Associate Director
 
[Broadway, 2009]
Associate Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2008]
Assistant Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2008]
Assistant Director
 
[Broadway, 2004]
Assistant to the Director

Niegel Smith Awards and Nominations

Drama League Awards - 2022 - Outstanding Direction of a Musical

Niegel SmithThe Hang

Niegel Smith News


Alley Theatre to Host Open Auditions for Houston Actors for Its 2024-2025 Season


2024-25 Seasonal Auditions for Houston actors will be at Alley Theatre. Learn more about the season and see how to audition!

Alley Theatre Unveils 2024-25 Season Featuring World Premieres & More


The Alley Theatre has unveiled its 2024-25 season, including classic works, world premiere plays, a murder mystery, and lots of laughter. See full programming and learn how to purchase tickets.

Tickets Now On Sale For The World Premiere Production Of Jesús I. Valles' BATHHOUSE.PPTX At The Flea


Tickets are now on sale for the world-premiere production BATHHOUSE.PPTX, written by Jesús I. Valles and directed by Obie Award winner Chay Yew. BATHHOUSE.PPTX will run at The Flea Theater (20 Thomas Street) from Tuesday, March 19 through Monday, April 22, with opening night set for Saturday, March 23.

BATHHOUSE.PPTX World Premiere to be Presented at The Flea in March


The Flea will present the world-premiere production BATHHOUSE.PPTX, by Jesús I. Valles, directed by Obie Award-winnerChay Yew.

BARK OF MILLIONS New Rock Opera From Taylor Mac, Matt Ray, And Machine Dazzle Makes US Premiere At BAM, February 5- 10


'Bark of Millions, a new rock opera from Taylor Mac, Matt Ray, and Machine Dazzle, makes its US premiere at BAM from Feb 5—10. Don't miss this landmark exhibition celebrating LGBTQ artists in downtown NYC, opening on Feb 1.'

BAM Sets 2024 Winter/Spring Season Featuring New Rock Opera From Taylor Mac & More


BAM ushers in 2024 by presenting a season that honors the power of artistic community. See program details and learn how to purchase tickets!

The Flea Theater Appoints Dr. Lauren Britt-Elmore as New Executive Director


The Flea has appointed Dr. Lauren Britt-Elmore as Executive Director to co-lead the Tribeca theater dedicated to the works of Black, brown, and queer artists.

The Flea to Present Staged Reading of BATHHOUSE.PPTX by Jesús Valles


Don't miss the staged reading and presentation of the Yale Drama Series Prize-winning play, 'Bathhouse.pptx,' at The Flea Theatre on Monday, October 30. Find out more about this exciting event and be a part of the theater community's buzzing conversation.

The Flea to Hold Third Annual Juneteenth Public Performances & Symposium This Summer


The Flea has commissioned Jack Fuller, Shelley, Nicole, and Trebien Pollard to stage public performances, along with Flea Artistic Director, Niegel Smith, as part of the theater company’s third annual Juneteenth Public Performances & Symposium.

Video: Watch Suzan-Lori Parks Talk PLAYS FOR THE PLAGUE YEAR on PBS NEWSHOUR


Watch Suzan-Lori Parks discuss Plays for the Plague Year at the Public Theater on PBS Newshour.

Review Roundup: PLAYS FOR THE PLAGUE YEAR Return Engagement at The Public Theater


Read the reviews for Plays for the Plague Year's return engagement at The Public Theater.

Photos: Go Inside PLAYS FOR THE PLAGUE YEAR's Return Engagement at The Public Theater


See photos from the return engagement of Suzan-Lori Parks' PLAYS FOR THE PLAGUE YEAR at The Public Theater.

SHADOW/LAND World Premiere to Begin Performances at The Public Theater Next Week


The Public Theater will begin performances for the staged world premiere play shadow/land written by Erika Dickerson-Despenza and directed by Lilly Award winner Candis C. Jones. See how to purchase tickets!

Photos: First Look at The Public's PLAYS FOR THE PLAGUE YEAR Remounted Production


Get a first look at photos of The Public Theater's remounted production of Suzan-Lori Parks’ PLAYS FOR THE PLAGUE YEAR.

Immersive MURDER IN THE FIRST to Premiere Off-Broadway at SoHo Playhouse This Month


Broadway Murder Mysteries, an immersive live entertainment murder mystery company, is set to premiere their first public performance of MURDER IN THE FIRST, an interactive madcap murder mystery, at SoHo Playhouse.

Suzan-Lori Parks' PLAYS FOR THE PLAGUE YEAR to Return to The Public Theater in April


The Public Theater has announced complete casting for the remount of the theatrical concert PLAYS FOR THE PLAGUE YEAR. See performance dates and learn how to purchase tickets!

Joniece Abbott-Pratt, Lizan Mitchell & More to Star in SHADOW/LAND World Premiere at The Public Theater


The Public Theater has announced the complete cast for the staged world premiere play shadow/land, written by Erika Dickerson-Despenza and directed by Candis C. Jones.

Tickets On Sale Now For HANG TIME World Premiere at The Flea; Complete Cast Announced


The Flea has announced the complete cast and design team for the world-premiere production of HANG TIME, the new play written and directed by Pulitzer Prize finalist Zora Howard.

50th Anniversary Exhibition of Jamaican Artists Inspired By THE HARDER THEY COME to be Featured at The Public Theater


Beginning on Thursday, February 16, theatergoers will be able to visit Wheel and Come Again: The 50th Anniversary Art Exhibition of The Harder They Come on The Public Theater’s Levin Mezzanine, an exhibition of art inspired by the original film.

The Flea to Launch New Leadership Model & Community Building Projects With $1.2M Grant From The Mellon Foundation


The Mellon Foundation has gifted The Flea a $1.2M grant to be dispersed over 36 months to support the launch of a new shared leadership structure with resident theater makers and the establishment of a new community building project.

Niegel Smith FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What awards has Niegel Smith been nominated for?

Niegel Smith has been nominated for Outstanding Direction of a Musical at the Drama League Awards for "The Hang."

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