Oliver Smith Headshot

Oliver Smith

Date of Death: January 23, 1994

Birth Place: Wisconsin, USA

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Oliver Smith BIO

Oliver Smith was a Tony Award-winning scenic designer who left an indelible mark on Broadway. Born in Waupun, Wisconsin in 1918, Smith attended the University of Wisconsin before moving to New York City in the early 1940s. He began his career as a dancer and actor, performing in several Broadway shows before transitioning to set design.

Smith's first Broadway credit as a scenic designer was for the 1948 production of "High Button Shoes." He quickly became known for his innovative and visually stunning designs, collaborating with some of the biggest names in the theater world. He worked on over 50 Broadway productions throughout his career, including "My Fair Lady," "West Side Story," and "Hello, Dolly!"

In addition to his work on Broadway, Smith also designed sets for opera productions at the Metropolitan Opera and the San Francisco Opera. He was also a professor of scenic design at Yale University from 1956 to 1961.

Smith won two Tony Awards for his scenic design work, for "My Fair Lady" in 1957 and "West Side Story" in 1958. He was also nominated for several other Tony Awards throughout his career. In 1990, he was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame.

Smith's influence on the world of theater was not limited to his work as a scenic designer. He was also a mentor to many young designers, including Tony Walton and William Ivey Long. He was known for his generosity and his willingness to share his knowledge and experience with others.

Smith passed away in 1994 at the age of 75. His legacy lives on through his designs, which continue to inspire and awe audiences on Broadway and beyond. His most recent work was the 1993 Broadway revival of "My Fair Lady," which featured a recreation of his original set design.

Oliver Smith Productions

 
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[Broadway, 1949]
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[Broadway, 1942]
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[Broadway, 1966]
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Oliver Smith Movies

Doing Time
[ 1979 ] McMillan
Riding High
[ 1981 ] Burt Ganja
Hellraiser
[ 1987 ] Frank the Monster
Hellbound: Hellraiser II
[ 1988 ] Browning
Tale of a Vampire
[ 1992 ] Bum
Dark Ditties Presents 'the Offer'
[ 2017 ] The Butler Andrew Barnabus
Dark Ditties Presents 'Finders Keepers'
[ 2018 ] Barry Smiley

Oliver Smith TV Shows

Boon
Smudger
Softly Softly: Task Force
Young, Terry Vincent, Neil Fisher
The Bill
Billy Clarke, Angus Swanton, Ratcliffe

Oliver Smith Awards and Nominations

Tony Awards - 1974 - Best Scenic Design

Oliver Smith, Gigi

Tony Awards - 1970 - Best Play

Oliver Smith, Indians

Tony Awards - 1969 - Best Scenic Design

Oliver Smith, Dear World

Tony Awards - 1967 - Best Scenic Design

Oliver Smith, I Do! I Do!


winner
Tony Awards - 1965 - Best Scenic Design

Oliver Smith, The Odd Couple


winner
Tony Awards - 1965 - Best Scenic Design

Oliver Smith, Luv


winner
Tony Awards - 1965 - Best Scenic Design

Oliver Smith , Baker Street


winner
Tony Awards - 1965 - Special Tony Award

Oliver Smith


winner
Tony Awards - 1964 - Best Scenic Design

Oliver Smith, Hello, Dolly!

Tony Awards - 1962 - Best Scenic Design

Oliver Smith, The Gay Life


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1961 - Outstanding Set Design

Oliver Smith, Camelot


winner
Tony Awards - 1961 - Best Scenic Design of a Musical

Oliver Smith, Camelot


winner
Tony Awards - 1961 - Best Scenic Design of a Play

Oliver Smith, Becket


winner
Tony Awards - 1960 - Best Scenic Design of a Musical

Oliver Smith, The Sound of Music


winner
Tony Awards - 1958 - Best Scenic Design

Oliver Smith, West Side Story

Tony Awards - 1958 - Best Scenic Design

Oliver Smith, Brigadoon

Tony Awards - 1958 - Best Scenic Design

Oliver Smith, Time Remembered

Tony Awards - 1958 - Best Scenic Design

Oliver Smith, Time Remembered

Tony Awards - 1958 - Best Scenic Design

Oliver Smith, Nude with Violin

Tony Awards - 1958 - Best Scenic Design

Oliver Smith, Jamaica

Tony Awards - 1958 - Best Scenic Design

Oliver Smith, Carousel


winner
Tony Awards - 1957 - Best Scenic Design

Oliver Smith, My Fair Lady

Tony Awards - 1957 - Best Scenic Design

Oliver Smith, Auntie Mame

Tony Awards - 1957 - Best Scenic Design

Oliver Smith, Candide

Tony Awards - 1957 - Best Scenic Design

Oliver Smith, Eugenia

Tony Awards - 1957 - Best Scenic Design

Oliver Smith, A Visit to A Small Planet

Tony Awards - 1957 - Best Scenic Design

Oliver Smith, My Fair Lady

Tony Awards - 1957 - Best Scenic Design

Oliver Smith, A Clearing in the Woods

Oliver Smith News


P.O.S. (Above & Beyond's Paavo Siljamäki) Collaborates With Spencer Brown And MARIEME on 'It's Me'


Above & Beyond's Paavo Siljamäki follows up the release of his debut album P.O.S. Deeper Tales with a new single “It’s Me,” a collaboration with Spencer Browne and Senegalese-American artist Marieme. The culmination of a personal journey, the album sees Paavo reconnect with club culture and rediscover himself on this solo release.

The De Mille Working Group Announces 80th Anniversary Celebration Of Agnes De Mille's RODEO


Bringing the Western frontier to the ballet stage, Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo premiered Agnes de Mille's groundbreaking work, Rodeo (The Courting at Burnt Ranch), at New York City's Metropolitan Opera House on October 16, 1942.

New Orleans Ballet Association Presents American Ballet Theatre For The First Time In Almost 50 Years


New Orleans Ballet Association brings one of the world's greatest dance companies, American Ballet Theatre, to the Mahalia Jackson Theater for two performances of the beloved, comedic ballet, Don Quixote, accompanied by the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra on Saturday, May 14, 2022, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, May 15, 2022, at 2 p.m.

Online Exhibit Will Include Pieces From HELLO, DOLLY!, CABARET, MY FAIR LADY, and More!


You’ll Be Swell! You’ll Be Great! The Fine Art of Performance is the new exhibition from Helicline Fine Art beginning May 2 through August 31, 2022. About three dozen works of art depicting theatre, film, dance, music and circus, will be available online and in person.

A CABARET OF GOLDEN AGE MUSICALS Comes to Roleystone Theatre at Armadale District Hall


Take a trip back in time and get ready to swing to the sounds of yesteryear in A Cabaret of Golden Age Musicals. 

BWW Review: A Sumptuous MY FAIR LADY at Shea's Buffalo


How to turn a classic play into a classic musical? Find the best of the best, of course. But even the powerhouse duo of Rodger's and Hammerstein couldn't figure out to to turn George Bernard Shaw's comic masterpiece PYGMALION into a musical. They attempted but ultimately passed. Happily another talented pair, Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Lowe, decided to take a stab, and the result was the brilliant MY FAIR LADY. Beloved by many thanks to an Academy Award winning motion picture, the most recent Broadway revival at Lincoln Center has landed on the Shea's Buffalo stage and the sumptuous production is a knockout.

Highlighting Iconic Set Designers from Broadway Past


Who are some of Broadway's greatest set designers? Which scenic designers have won the most Tony Awards? Read more about some of the greatest behind the scenes employees of Broadway and study up on ten iconic set designers from Broadway history.

ABT Studio Company Makes Their Popejoy Debut Next Month


The American Ballet Theatre Studio Company glissades into Popejoy Hall on Saturday, November 13 at 7:30pm, bringing a performance bursting with the power and vibrance of youth.

Kevin McKenzie to Retire as Artistic Director of American Ballet Theatre at the Conclusion of 2022 Season


Kevin McKenzie today announced his retirement as Artistic Director of American Ballet Theatre at the end of 2022, following three decades of leadership. He will oversee ABT’s creation of new works and performances throughout 2021 and 2022, ensuring ABT’s vitality and artistic integrity, while working with the Board of Governing Trustees to provide a seamless transition to the Company’s next Artistic Director.

Kevin McKenzie to Retire as Artistic Director of American Ballet Theatre at the Conclusion of 2022 Season


Kevin McKenzie today announced his retirement as Artistic Director of American Ballet Theatre at the end of 2022, following three decades of leadership. He will oversee ABT’s creation of new works and performances throughout 2021 and 2022, ensuring ABT’s vitality and artistic integrity, while working with the Board of Governing Trustees to provide a seamless transition to the Company’s next Artistic Director.

Arthur P. Siccardi, Broadway Production Supervisor, Dies at 89


Beloved Broadway production supervisor Arthur P. Siccardi has passed away at 89. Arthur P., II was one of the best-loved figures in the American theater, with a distinguished career as a production supervisor that spanned five decades working with the biggest stars, directors and producers on some of the best-known shows in Broadway history.

Major Exhibition Of Noel Coward's Life and Work Comes to Guildhall Art Gallery


The visual impact of Noël Coward's life and work will be celebrated in a major exhibition at the City of London Corporation's Guildhall Art Gallery later this year.

PLAY OF THE DAY! Today's Play: THE ODD COUPLE by Neil Simon


During this time when productions all over the world have been put on pause, we are coming together to celebrate plays that have left their mark on theater history. This week we will be focusing on the plays of Neil Simon.

Creamfields 2020 Announces Full Lineup And Arena Breakdown 


Over the past few months Creamfields have been dropping name after name for their 2020 lineup, and with festival season just around the corner it turns out they were only just getting started, as the full lineup and arena breakdown now drops for the 4-day August Bank Holiday spectacular.

Tales from the West Side: An In-Depth Look at the Evolution of WEST SIDE STORY


Go inside the creation and 63-year evolution of the musical theatre masterpiece, West Side Story.

The NYC LGBT Historic Sites Project Announces 'Broadway Theater District' Theme


The NYC LGBT Historic Sites Project has announced the digital publication of its new curated theme, 'Broadway Theater District.' This new collection of over 40 sites celebrates the many LGBT individuals who have contributed their talents to New York City's theater history -- whether as a star with name in flashing lights on the marquee, or a member of the chorus line.

'The World To Come: Art In The Age Of The Anthropocene' Opening At U-M Museum Of Art


A new exhibition at the U-M Museum of Art is inspired by the impact of climate change around the world.  

Sunset Music Festival Announces Phase Two Lineup


Sunset Music Festival announces the second phase of its spectacular lineup for its eighth consecutive celebration in Tampa, Florida on Memorial Day weekend, May 25-26. The lineup showcases styles across electronic music, from groundbreaking bass music to euphoric tech-house, giving Sunset Music Festival fans a sonic experience unlike any other on the circuit. Added to the lineup in phase two are: 4B, Blunts & Blondes, Decadon, Dion Timmer, DNMO,Droeloe, GG Magree, Holly, Illenium, Oliver Smith, Phantoms, Tchami, Yael, Zedd, and Zeds Dead.

Spring Awakening Music Festival Announces Full 2019 Artist Lineup


React Presents is thrilled to announce the full artist lineup for Spring Awakening Music Festival (SAMF) 2019!  Following this week's headliner announce, over 60 incredible artists have been revealed to perform at the Midwest's largest all-electronic music festival, which will return to the Chicagoland area for its eighth year on June 7th through 9th at Poplar Creek at 59-90 Entertainment District in Hoffman Estates, a Northwest Chicago suburb.

Northrop Presents American Ballet Theatre Program Featuring SONGS of BUKOVINA and More


Five years after celebrating Northrop's grand reopening, American Ballet Theatre will return to Northrop on Tue, Apr 2, with a vibrant program featuring Alexei Ratmansky's Songs of Bukovina, Jerome Robbins' Other Dances, and Twyla Tharp's In the Upper Room.

Oliver Smith FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What awards has Oliver Smith been nominated for?

Oliver Smith has been nominated for several awards throughout his career. Some of his nominations include Best Scenic Design (Tony Awards) for shows like Gigi, Indians, Dear World, I Do! I Do!, The Odd Couple, Luv, Baker Street, Hello, Dolly!, The Gay Life, West Side Story, Brigadoon, Time Remembered, Nude with Violin, Jamaica, Carousel, My Fair Lady, Auntie Mame, Candide, Eugenia, A Visit to A Small Planet, and A Clearing in the Woods. He has also received a Special Tony Award and an Outstanding Set Design award from the Outer Critics Circle Awards for his work on Camelot.

What awards has Oliver Smith won?

Oliver Smith has won several awards for his scenic design work. He has received the Best Scenic Design Tony Award for shows such as Baker Street, Luv, The Odd Couple, Hello, Dolly!, West Side Story, and My Fair Lady. He also received a Special Tony Award. In addition to the Tony Awards, Smith won the Outstanding Set Design award from the Outer Critics Circle for Camelot. He was also recognized with the Best Scenic Design of a Musical Tony Award for Camelot and The Sound of Music, as well as the Best Scenic Design of a Play Tony Award for Becket.

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