NICK SANDYS: DIRECTOR
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​Nick Sandys: 
Fight Direction
​​                                                                                                     MACBETH @ Lyric Opera of Chicago, 2022

             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


nick_sandys_short_fight_resume_10.22.pdf
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Professional Fight Choreography includes:               
​
Lyric Opera of Chicago - over 70 productions since 1995
​including  Carmen, Tosca, Macbeth, Faust, 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)                         


Canadian Opera Company- 
Macbeth (dir. Sir David McVicar)                           
Goodman Theatre - over 30 productions including
Swing State     (world premiere, dir. Robert Falls 2022)                                              
The Iceman Cometh   (dir. Robert Falls; 
also BAM 2016)       
Stage Kiss       (world premiere, dir. Jessica Thebus)              
Ruined          (world premiere, dir. Kate Whoriskey)                   

Gem Of The Ocean (world premiere Marion McLinton 2003)  

​Steppenwolf Theatre                                                             
​
Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? 
           (dir. Pam MacKinnon; 
also Broadway; Tony Award 2012 - Best Revival)     
The Seafarer        (dir. Randall Arney)
Hot L Baltimore    (dir. Tina Landau)
 
                   
CARMEN @ LyricOpera of Chicago, 2023 photo: Todd Rosenberg
RED SUMMER @ MPAACT, 2022. photo: Reginald Lawrence
ZORRO THE MUSICAL @ Music Theater Works, 2022
GEM OF THE OCEAN @ Goodman, January 2022 photo: Liz Lauren
MACBETH @ Lyric Opera Of Chicago, Sept. 2021 photo: Ken Howard
PAGLIACCI @ Lyric Opera Of Chicago, August 2021 Photo: Kyle Flubacker
CAPTAIN BLOOD @ First Folio, Feb 2017 photo: David Rice
PIRANDELLO'S HENRY IV @ Remy Bumppo 2016 photo: Johnny Knight
KING LEAR @ Elements Theatre Co., Cape Cod, August 2016
Don Giovanni @ Lyric Opera of Chicago, 2014
Our Class @ Remy Bumppo, 2014
Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf? @ Steppenwolf, 2012
Immediate Family @ Goodman Theatre, 2012
Romeo & Juliet @ First Folio Theatre, 2011 -- Joseph Jefferson Nomination -- Fight Choreography
Lieutenant of Inishmore @ Northlight, 2009
The Defiant Muse @ Victory Gardens, 2008 Joseph Jefferson Nomination -- Fight Choreography
Around The World In 80 Days @ Lookingglass Theatre, 2008

                                        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

"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

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
"...th
e 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

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." Cape Cod Chronicle

Bel Canto @ Lyric Opera of Chicago, December 2015
"Nick Sandys' fight direction is also excellent. T
he physical reactions of the shooting victims are shockingly realistic." parterre.com

TEACHING
The Theatre School at DePaul University, Chicago -- 1994 to present        Excellence in Teaching Award (Adjunct) 2019
Picture
Teaching @ The Theatre School @ DePaul University (2018). photo: Joe Mazza/bravelux
Picture
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."

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  • Welcome
    • Bio >
      • Awards
  • ACTING: Headshot & Resumes
    • ACTING: Production Photos & Reviews
  • Directing
    • SHAW vs TUNNEY
    • FUTURE PERFECT
    • HOWARDS END
    • Strauss' ELEKTRA
    • PUFF: Believe It Or Not
    • GREAT EXPECTATIONS
    • Pirandello's HENRY IV
    • THE LIFE OF GALILEO
    • TRAVESTIES
    • MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR
    • OUR CLASS
    • SEASCAPE
    • ROMEO & JULIET
    • MACBETH
    • thinkTank: American Ethnic
    • FICTION
    • TWELFTH NIGHT
    • HAMLET
  • Fight Directing
  • Voiceover & Audiobook Narration
  • Contact