REELS

Nikki Mirza is a director and choreographer who has been racking up credits across the DMV. She discusses breaking into directing, setting a vision for a production, and embracing opportunities to grow with TBTS Dramaturg Lindsey R. Barr. 2:00: What Makes Nikki the Artist She Is? 6:15: What is Your Job as a Director? 10:59: Where Does Your Directing Process Start? 14:37: When Do You Start to Visualize the World of a Play? 17:06: How Does Choreography Inform Your Directing Practice and Vice Versa? 20:31: Does Your Directing Process Change Based on the Play You’re Working On? 22:49: Is There a Part of the Directing Process You Find Most Fulfilling? Or One You Don’t? 25:33: What is It Like Watching Your Show in Previews? 30:38: What’s the Difference Between Working on a New Play vs. Working on a Published Play? 33:09: What Does an Assistant Director Do? 38:10: What Skills Does a Director Need to Have? 48:21 Embrace Opportunities to Grow Nikki Mirza (she/her) is a South Asian American multi-disciplinary artist originally from California and now based in the DC area. Nikki has collaborated regionally with La Jolla Playhouse, Signature Theatre, Olney Theatre Center, Round House Theatre, Theater J, Imagination Stage, Goodspeed Opera House, and more! She has a passion for youth and the arts, having worked many TYA contracts as well as in the Entertainment Department at Legoland California. She is currently an Adjunct Dance Faculty member at The Catholic University of America and American University. She was selected as a 2024 Local Theatre Artist in Residence at The Kennedy Center for her play, this play isn't about brian, where she had the opportunity to workshop and present the piece. She is currently an inaugural member of 1st Stage’s Directors’ Residency and Commission program. Teens Behind the Scenes is a program of The National Theatre Foundation. Visit www.nationaltheatre.org/teens-behind-the-scenes to learn more.

Choreography by Nikki Mirza Show: Shakespeare's King John Theatre: Shakespeare Theatre Company Academy

UCSD Muir Musical - Spring 2017 This reel contains clips of the Spring Awakening production I directed my senior year of college. I reimagined the world of the musical by adding a lyrical dance ensemble to mirror and convey the subconscious of the characters. Through this experience, I was given a space to take artistic risks while also discovering how to be a leader and collaborator in a theatrical space. This is one of my favorite pieces I have ever worked on and I would love to further discuss my style and approach.

Experience 75 beautiful, larger-than-life puppets and original music as “Brown Bear, Brown Bear,” “The Very Lonely Firefly,” “10 Little Rubber Ducks,” and, of course, “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” come to life on stage. This extra special event returns by popular demand, following a sold-out run in 2023. Featuring Carl L. Williams, Cristina Sanchez, and Mollie Greenberg Tickets: imaginationstage.org/on-our-stages/the-very-hungry-caterpillar-show/

Play: INK by James Graham Theatre: Round House Theatre and Olney Theatre Center CoPro Director: Jason Loewith Choreographer/Associate Director: Nikki Mirza Scenic: Tony Cisek Props: Anna Cable, Jason Deering Sound: Matthew M. Nielson Projections: Mike Tutaj Lighting: Minjoo Kim Costumes: Debra Kim Sivigny PSM: Che Wernsman

Clare Barron’s explosive off-Broadway smash kicks off Olney Theatre Center’s 2022-23 season! In this Pulitzer Prize finalist, about a tweenage dance team from Liverpool, Ohio, more is at stake than a first-place trophy. It's a play about the puberty years, but leave the kids at home — adult actors of all ages portray the adolescent girls (and one boy) amidst their tween confusion, as well as their future adult selves. As the competition heats up, literal fangs come out, and the blood, sweat, and tears get very real in a drama about friendship, rivalry, and girls becoming women. For more info visit: https://olneytheatre.org

Tickets and information at https://olneytheatre.org/beautiful Running through August 25.

Director/Choreographer: Nikki Mirza Asst Dir / Asst. Choreo: Payten Romig Music Director: Kevin Wines