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.”