Nikki Crawford is a Tony-nominated and Obie Award-winning actress known for her iconic portrayal of Tedra in James Ijames' celebrated 2022 Pulitzer Prize-winning play Fat Ham [1] , first at the Public and then at the American Airlines Theatre. Between the Public and Broadway iterations of Fat Ham, Crawford starred in James Ijames' The Most Spectacularly Lamentable Trial of Miz Martha Washington [2] at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre. Guest star roles [3] include recurring role on Sony's Cruel Intentions, Tracker, NCIS: LA, 9-1-1, NCIS, United States of Al, Selena: The Series, and a starring role in Lifetime's A Country Christmas Harmony. In the theater world, Crawford was handpicked by the legendary Mike Nichols to open the Vegas company of Spamalot for which she was named Vegas Showstopper of the Year. [4] She also starred opposite Leslie Uggams in Stormy Weather [5] at the Pasadena Playhouse, playing the young Lena Horne and winning the NAACP Theatre Award. She also received the Helen Hayes Award Best Supporting Actress nominee for Play On!. [6] Crawford hopscotches between film, TV and theater; equally versed in comedy, drama, musical and dramatic theater, and sings like a bird. She's a DC native and holds a degree from Carnegie Mellon, BFA Dramais. [7]
After graduating from Carnegie Mellon University's drama program, Crawford was offered a leading role in the European Tour of Bubbling Brown Sugar, which launched her career. [8]
Her career has taken her from Los Angeles, to New York, to Europe and Canada, and regional theatres all across America.
Year(s) | Production | Role | Location | Category | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1999 | Play On! | Lady Liv | Pasadena Playhouse | Regional | [9] [10] |
2002 | A Class Act | Felicia | Pasadena Playhouse | Regional | [11] |
2004 | The Ten Commandments | Ensemble | [12] | ||
2007 | Spamalot | Lady of the Lake | Wynn Las Vegas | [13] | |
2008 | Respect: The Girl Em-Powered Musical | El Portal Forum Theatre | [14] | ||
2009 | Stormy Weather | Young Lena | Pasadena Playhouse | Regional | [15] |
2013 | Show Boat | Julie | Wells Fargo Pavilion | [16] | |
2017 | Man of La Mancha | Aldonza/Dulcinea | La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts | [17] | |
2019 | Fairview | Beverly | Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company | [18] | |
2020 | The Most Spectacularly Lamentable Trial of Miz Martha Washington | Ann Dandrige | Steppenwolf Theatre Company | [19] | |
2022 | Fat Ham | Tedra | The Public Theater | Off-Broadway | [20] |
2023 | American Airlines Theatre | Broadway | |||
2024 | Geffen Playhouse | Regional | [21] |
Year | Award | Category | Role | Show | Result | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2001 | Helen Hayes Awards [22] | Outstanding Supporting Performer, Resident Musical | Lady Liv | Play On! | Nominated | |
2010 | NAACP Theatre Awards | Best Lead Actress-Equity | Young Lena | Stormy Weather | Won | [23] [24] |
2023 | Tony Awards | Best Featured Actress in a Play | Tedra | Fat Ham | Nominated | [1] |
2024 | Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards | Featured Performance | [25] |
Year | Title | Role | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|
2022 | A Country Christmas Harmony | Carole Dukes | TV film | [26] |
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 |
Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|
2024 | Tracker | Miggy | TV series | |
2024 | Elsbeth | Solani Mani | Episode 7 | [27] |
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 |
Year(s) | Title | Role | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|
2012–2013 | H+ | Julie Martin | 10 episodes (web series) | [28] |