Teaching @ The Theatre School @ DePaul University (2018).
photo: Joe Mazza/bravelux
NICK SANDYS
• A.E.A. • S.A.G./A.F.T.R.A. • A.G.M.A. •
Fight Director and Certified Teacher -- The Society of American Fight Directors (SAFD), 1995-present
First Aid & CPR Certification (renewed 2023)
Joseph Jefferson Award 2008--Outstanding Fight Choreography
Joseph Jefferson Nominations 2008, 2010, & 2011—Outstanding Fight Choreography
• A.E.A. • S.A.G./A.F.T.R.A. • A.G.M.A. •
Fight Director and Certified Teacher -- The Society of American Fight Directors (SAFD), 1995-present
First Aid & CPR Certification (renewed 2023)
Joseph Jefferson Award 2008--Outstanding Fight Choreography
Joseph Jefferson Nominations 2008, 2010, & 2011—Outstanding Fight Choreography
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Professional Fight Choreography includes:
Lyric Opera of Chicago - over 50 productions since 1995 including Carmen, Tosca, Macbeth, Faust, West Side Story, Don Giovanni, Bel Canto, Wozzeck, Il Trovatore, Otello, Tristan Und Isolde, Billy Budd, A View From The Bridge The Metropolitan Opera, NYC - Prince Igor (+ HD) (dir. Dmitri Tcherniakov) Giulio Cesare (+ HD) (dir. Sir David McVicar) Il trovatore (dir. Sir David McVicar) The Dallas Opera - Don Giovanni (dir. Robert Falls) |
Goodman Theatre - over 25 productions including Swing State (dir. Robert Falls 2022) Gem Of The Ocean (dir. Chuck Smith 2022; Marion McLinton 2003) The Iceman Cometh (dir. Robert Falls; also BAM 2016) Stage Kiss (world premiere, dir. Jessica Thebus) Ruined (world premiere, dir. Kate Whoriskey) Steppenwolf Theatre Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (dir. Pam MacKinnon; also Broadway; Tony Award 2012 - Best Revival) |
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TEACHING
The Theatre School at DePaul University, Chicago -- 1995 to 2023 Excellence in Teaching Award (Adjunct) 2019 |
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Recent Reviews:
Carmen @ Lyric Opera of Chicago, 2023
“A lot of credit must also go to Fight Director Nick Sandys for helping the actors develop high stakes; these versions of Carmen and José are very human, and very dangerous.” aroundthetownchicago.com
Camelot @ Music Theater Works, 2022
"The fight choreography (Nick Sandys is the best) is one of the highlights of the production..." aroundthetownchicago.com
"Their excellent combat skills and swordplay is violent and believable, thanks to the guidance of fight choreographer, Nick Sandys" chicagotheaterreview.com
Zorro The Musical @ Music Theater Works, 2022
"Nick Sandys fight choreography is full of derring-do." WTTW.com
"The real strength and highlight of this production is its music beautifully sung and danced with fire and forcefulness by an excellent cast, as well as some vibrant swordplay and fight choreography, created by Nick Sandys." The Epoch Times
"And nod out to Nick Sandys' fight choreography. The dueling between Lopez [Diego] and the ensemble has an Inigo Montoya impressive skill and fun chase aspect." thefourthwalsh.com
Macbeth @ Lyric Opera of Chicago, 2021
"The lively and realistic swordplay in the final act ignited sparks, handled expertly by fight director Nick Sandys." Chicago Classical Review
West Side Story @ Lyric Opera of Chicago, 2019
"... and fight choreographer Nick Sandys’ vivid rumble action...." WTTW.com
"...the explosive combat choreography that's one of the show's principal glories. " Chicago Reader
"The physical action is ... orchestrated with ferocious realism by fight director Nick Sandys..." Chicagolandtheaterreviews.com
"... some superb fight choreography by Chicago’s own Nick Sandys..." ChicagoTheatreReview.com
Jesus Christ Superstar @ Lyric Opera of Chicago, 2018
"The onstage violence is worthy of notation as well... Fight director Nick Sandys toes the line of brutality and an almost beauty with how he creates these events. It does not shy away from the ferocity by any means but represents it with compassion." Picture This Post
Captain Blood @ First Folio Theatre, January 2017
"Sandys also gets credit for "movement direction," including the thoroughly satisfying fight sequences." Chicago Tribune
"The fight choreography by Nick Sandys is also remarkably good. The movement in this play is some of the best I’ve seen in Chicagoland and kudos for making foil fencing look dangerous and interesting." Edge Media
What Of The Night @ Stage Left/Cor Theatre, Jan 2017
" Violence choreography by Nick Sandys is convincing (and wince-inducing)." ChicagoTheaterBeat.com
King Lear @ Elements Theatre, Aug 2016
"The realistic sword fights are the best I have seen on stage, with the imposing metal swords quickly flashing in the light." Cape Cod Chronicle
"There is some terrific swordplay and stage-fighting in the show, but also violence too dire for the very young." Cape Cod Times
"The costumes are perfect, the fight choreography is not only impressive but also has people worrying what would happen should an actor forget to duck..." broadwayworld.com/boston
Bel Canto @ Lyric Opera of Chicago, December 2015
"Nick Sandys' fight direction is also excellent. The physical reactions of the shooting victims are shockingly realistic." parterre.com
Carmen @ Lyric Opera of Chicago, 2023
“A lot of credit must also go to Fight Director Nick Sandys for helping the actors develop high stakes; these versions of Carmen and José are very human, and very dangerous.” aroundthetownchicago.com
Camelot @ Music Theater Works, 2022
"The fight choreography (Nick Sandys is the best) is one of the highlights of the production..." aroundthetownchicago.com
"Their excellent combat skills and swordplay is violent and believable, thanks to the guidance of fight choreographer, Nick Sandys" chicagotheaterreview.com
Zorro The Musical @ Music Theater Works, 2022
"Nick Sandys fight choreography is full of derring-do." WTTW.com
"The real strength and highlight of this production is its music beautifully sung and danced with fire and forcefulness by an excellent cast, as well as some vibrant swordplay and fight choreography, created by Nick Sandys." The Epoch Times
"And nod out to Nick Sandys' fight choreography. The dueling between Lopez [Diego] and the ensemble has an Inigo Montoya impressive skill and fun chase aspect." thefourthwalsh.com
Macbeth @ Lyric Opera of Chicago, 2021
"The lively and realistic swordplay in the final act ignited sparks, handled expertly by fight director Nick Sandys." Chicago Classical Review
West Side Story @ Lyric Opera of Chicago, 2019
"... and fight choreographer Nick Sandys’ vivid rumble action...." WTTW.com
"...the explosive combat choreography that's one of the show's principal glories. " Chicago Reader
"The physical action is ... orchestrated with ferocious realism by fight director Nick Sandys..." Chicagolandtheaterreviews.com
"... some superb fight choreography by Chicago’s own Nick Sandys..." ChicagoTheatreReview.com
Jesus Christ Superstar @ Lyric Opera of Chicago, 2018
"The onstage violence is worthy of notation as well... Fight director Nick Sandys toes the line of brutality and an almost beauty with how he creates these events. It does not shy away from the ferocity by any means but represents it with compassion." Picture This Post
Captain Blood @ First Folio Theatre, January 2017
"Sandys also gets credit for "movement direction," including the thoroughly satisfying fight sequences." Chicago Tribune
"The fight choreography by Nick Sandys is also remarkably good. The movement in this play is some of the best I’ve seen in Chicagoland and kudos for making foil fencing look dangerous and interesting." Edge Media
What Of The Night @ Stage Left/Cor Theatre, Jan 2017
" Violence choreography by Nick Sandys is convincing (and wince-inducing)." ChicagoTheaterBeat.com
King Lear @ Elements Theatre, Aug 2016
"The realistic sword fights are the best I have seen on stage, with the imposing metal swords quickly flashing in the light." Cape Cod Chronicle
"There is some terrific swordplay and stage-fighting in the show, but also violence too dire for the very young." Cape Cod Times
"The costumes are perfect, the fight choreography is not only impressive but also has people worrying what would happen should an actor forget to duck..." broadwayworld.com/boston
Bel Canto @ Lyric Opera of Chicago, December 2015
"Nick Sandys' fight direction is also excellent. The physical reactions of the shooting victims are shockingly realistic." parterre.com
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Podcast Interview:
The Creative Muscle
@ LowRes Studios, 6/28/2019
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lyric-opera-fight-choreographer-nick-sandys-makes-violence/id1220676318?i=1000443049452
"Lyric Opera Fight choreographer Makes Violence Look Real... for the good of the World."
The Creative Muscle
@ LowRes Studios, 6/28/2019
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lyric-opera-fight-choreographer-nick-sandys-makes-violence/id1220676318?i=1000443049452
"Lyric Opera Fight choreographer Makes Violence Look Real... for the good of the World."