Performer Ryan Hayes in tan-colored vest, brown brimmed hat and yellow-striped shirt sits on the floor next to an audience member in a dark pullover top while holding a metal wine glass.

Theatre

Nicole understands theatre-why it works, why it doesn’t, and what audiences who keep coming back are looking for in this shared experience.

–Gabe Meline, editor, KQED Arts

I’ve been working in independent theatre and underground events production for 20+ years as a lighting designer/technician, stage manager, producer, publicist, Fringe Festival tour support, dramaturg, and critic. I’m drawn to new works, iterative development, immersive experiences, and multi-disciplinary productions. A consummate collaborator, my skill set is focused on supporting artists and their creation process from multiple angles. Over the years I’ve self-produced over 100 underground events, prioritizing artist well-being and audience engagement.

As a freelance technician, stage manager, lighting designer, producer, and publicist, I’ve worked in many independent venues including EXIT Theatre, the Phoenix Theatre, the Shelton, Venue 9, the Off-Market Theatre, the Marsh, CounterPulse, Noh Space, The Lost Church, and my own living room. My first professional gig was as a lighting tech and stage manager for the then newly-opened Bas Bleu Theatre in Colorado. In 2019, I was the company manager for Eye Zen Presents’ production of OUT of Site: SOMA–a performance driven, queer history walking tour. From 2017-2020 I co-curated showcases and a monthly development series of political and socially-engaged works as IncivilitySF, with Nathaniel Justiniano and Sabrina Wenske of Naked Empire Bouffon Company, and L.M. Bogad of the Center for Tactical Performance.

Read about some of my Fringe Festival tours here, here, and here. See some of my work as Voter’s Bloc Theatre, Salon San Carlos, IncivilitySF, Bikes to Books, and on the Fringe Festival circuit here.