Nikki Crawford

Nikki Crawford
Born	Washington, D.C., U.S.
Alma mater	Carnegie Mellon University (M.F.A.)
Occupation	Actress

Nikki Crawford is an American stage, film, and television actress. Crawford is best known for her Tony-nominated portrayal of Tedra in James Ijames' 2022 Pulitzer Prize-winning play Fat Ham , first at the Public and then at the American Airlines Theatre.

Career

Crawford was born and raised in Washington, D.C. ^[1] After graduating from Carnegie Mellon University's drama program with her MFA, Crawford was offered a leading role in the European Tour of Bubbling Brown Sugar, which launched her career. ^[1]

In the theater world, Crawford starred opposite Leslie Uggams in Stormy Weather ^[2] at the Pasadena Playhouse, playing the young Lena Horne and winning the NAACP Theatre Award. She also received a Helen Hayes Award Best Supporting Actress nomination for Play On!. ^[3]

Between the Public and Broadway iterations of Fat Ham, Crawford starred in James Ijames' The Most Spectacularly Lamentable Trial of Miz Martha Washington ^[4] at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre.

In late 2025, Crawford recently wrapped on the pilot Very Young Frankenstein starring Zack Galifianakis and directed by Taika Waititi for FX/Hulu. ^[5]

Theatre credits

Year(s)	Production	Role	Location	Category	Ref
1999	Play On!	Lady Liv	Pasadena Playhouse	Regional	[6] [7]
2002	A Class Act	Felicia	Pasadena Playhouse	Regional	[8]
2004	The Ten Commandments	Ensemble			[9]
2007	Spamalot	Lady of the Lake	Wynn Las Vegas		[10]
2008	Respect: The Girl Em-Powered Musical		El Portal Forum Theatre		[11]
2009	Stormy Weather	Young Lena	Pasadena Playhouse	Regional	[12]
2013	Show Boat	Julie	Wells Fargo Pavilion		[13]
2017	Man of La Mancha	Aldonza/Dulcinea	La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts		[14]
2019	Fairview	Beverly	Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company		[15]
2020	The Most Spectacularly Lamentable Trial of Miz Martha Washington	Ann Dandrige	Steppenwolf Theatre Company		[16]
2022	Fat Ham	Tedra	The Public Theater	Off-Broadway	[17]
2023			American Airlines Theatre	Broadway
2024			Geffen Playhouse	Regional	[18]

Awards and nominations

Year	Award	Category	Role	Show	Result	Ref
2001	Helen Hayes Awards [19]	Outstanding Supporting Performer, Resident Musical	Lady Liv	Play On!	Nominated
2010	NAACP Theatre Awards	Best Lead Actress-Equity	Young Lena	Stormy Weather	Won	[20] [21]
2023	Tony Awards	Best Featured Actress in a Play	Tedra	Fat Ham	Nominated	[22]
2024	Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards	Featured Performance				[23]

Filmography

Film

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2022	A Country Christmas Harmony	Carole Dukes	TV film	[24]
2020	How to Deter a Robber	Officer Martin	Feature film
2019	Desperate Waters	District Attorney Grace	Feature film
2016	Dance Night Obsession	Detective Brecht	Feature film
2016	96 Souls	Nina Orleans	Feature film
2012	Contradictions of the Heart	Patrice	DTV
2009	Applause for Miss E	Sista Burns	Feature film
2005	Duck	Bus Driver	Feature film
2000	Retiring Tatiana	Tatiana	Feature film
1997	Wag the Dog	Mom	Feature film

Television

Year	Title	Role	Notes	Ref
2025	Very Young Frankenstein	Recurring Character	TV series	[25]
2026	Days of Our Lives	Lexie Carver	TV series
2024	Tracker	Miggy	TV series
2024	Elsbeth	Solani Mani	Episode 7	[26]
2024	Cruel Intentions	Mrs. Grover	TV series
2022	United States of Al	Barbara	Guest appearance
2021	Selena: The Series	Tina Knowles	Recurring role
2020	Two Degrees	Nikki	Guest appearance
2019	Crown Lake	Valerie St. Martin	Recurring role
2019	9-1-1	Leticia Barry	Guest appearance
2017	Criminal Minds	Marla Grace	Guest appearance
2016	Pretty Little Liars	Agent Leigh	Guest appearance
2015	Switched at Birth	Kendall Booth	Guest appearance
2014	Legit	Dr. Pollitt	Guest appearance
2013	Happily Divorced	Monica	Guest appearance
2006	Numb3rs	ER Doctor	Guest appearance
2004	Malcolm in the Middle	Nell	Guest appearance
2001	The District	Reporter #2	Guest appearance
1996	Homeboys in Outer Space	Heather	Guest appearance
1996	Martin	Woman #3	Guest appearance
1995	Dream On	Colette Perry	Guest appearance
1994	Living Single	Renatta	Guest appearance
1991	A Different World	Girl	Guest appearance

Web

Year(s)	Title	Role	Notes
2012–2013	H+	Julie Martin	10 episodes (web series)	[27]

References

1. "Broadway Actress, Nikki Crawford, Competes for Highest Honor Tonight at Tony Awards". Los Angeles Sentinel. 2023-06-11. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
2. "Stormy Weather, Musical of Horne's Life, Starring Uggams, Begins West…". Playbill. 2012-09-06. Archived from the original on 2024-12-11. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
3. "Nikki Crawford". Broadway.com. 2025-08-21. Retrieved 2025-08-21.
4. "The Most Spectacularly Lamentable Trial of Miz Martha Washington (Regional, Steppenwolf -- Upstairs Theatre, 2022)". Playbill. Archived from the original on 2025-06-21. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
5. Otterson, Joe (2025-09-30). "'Very Young Frankenstein' Lands FX Pilot Order, Zach Galifianakis, Kumail Nanjiani, Dolly Wells Among Cast". Variety. Retrieved 2026-03-03.
6. Manus, Willard (8 July 1999). "Pasadena Playhouse Celebrates Duke Ellington's 100th Birthday". Playbill. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
7. Jones, Kenneth (21 June 2000). "Play On! Finds Its Way to Small Screen, on PBS, June 21". Playbill. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
8. Jones, Kenneth (3 May 2002). "A Class Act Has Post-Bway Bow in CA May 3-June 16; Price Directs Picardo, Bullock". Playbill. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
9. Hernandez, Ernio (27 September 2004). ""Let My People Go...": Kilmer Is Moses as The Ten Commandments Musical Opens, Sept. 27". Playbill. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
10. "Spamalot, Starring O'Hurley, Opens in Vegas March 31". BroadwayWorld.com. 30 March 2007. Retrieved 2023-05-02.
11. Gans, Andrew (26 June 2008). "Crawford, George, Seiden and Taylor to Star in Respect: The Girl Em-Powered Musical". Playbill. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
12. "Stormy Weather, Powerhouse Evening in Pasadena". BroadwayWorld.com. 3 February 2009. Retrieved 2023-05-02.
13. Mancuso, Christina. "Photos: First Look at Ron Bohmer, Jennifer Hope Wills, Nikki Crawford and More in SHOW BOAT at Music Circus". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2023-05-02.
14. Grigware, Don (5 June 2017). "Review: Davis Gaines Steals MAN OF LA MANCHA at La Mirada". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2023-05-02.
15. Smith, Paul (17 September 2019). "Review Roundup: What Did Critics Think of FAIRVIEW at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company?". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2023-05-02.
16. Cristi, A. A. "Steppenwolf Announces Complete Casting for The Most Spectacularly Lamentable Trial of Miz Martha Washington and Catch As Catch Can". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2023-05-02.
17. Rabinowitz, Chloe (19 May 2022). "Photos: First Look at the Pulitzer Prize-Winning Fat Ham at The Public Theater". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2023-05-02.
18. Henerson, Evan. "Review: FAT HAM at Geffen Playhouse". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2025-08-23.
19. Jones, Kenneth (8 May 2001). "Judith Light, Side Show, The Dead Among D.C. Helen Hayes Winners". Playbill. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
20. Sierra, Gabrielle (27 July 2010). "Kim Coles, Quinton Aaron Annouce[sic] Nominees For 20th Annual Naacp Theatre Awards". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2023-05-02.
21. "Obba Babatunde, Levar Burton, Nikki Crawford, et al. Win NAACP Theatre Awards". 2010-09-02. Retrieved 2023-05-02.
22. Sherman, Rachel; Cohn, Gabe (2023-05-02). "Tony Awards Nominations 2023: The Complete List". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2023-05-02.
23. Rabinowitz, Chloe. "The Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Reveals 2024 Season Award Finalists and Special Award Honorees". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2025-08-23.
24. "A Country Christmas Harmony - Full Cast & Crew". TVguide.com. 22 November 2022. Retrieved 2025-08-21.
25. Otterson, Joe. "Very Young Frankenstein' Lands FX Pilot Order, Zach Galifianakis, Kumail Nanjiani, Dolly Wells Among Cast". Variety.com. Retrieved 2025-09-30.
26. Sharpe, Josh. "Comprehensive Guide to Broadway Actors in CBS's Hit Series ELSBETH". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2025-08-23.
27. "In "H+" a possible blueprint for digital series". Deseret News. September 4, 2012. Retrieved August 21, 2025.

External links

• Nikki Crawford at the IBDb