Oliver smith set designer biography samples

BIO

Oliver Smith was a Tony Award-winning scenic designer who left an indelible mark on Broadway. Born in Waupun, Wisconsin in 1918, Smith attended the University of Wisconsin before moving to New York City in the early 1940s.

He began his career as a dancer and actor, performing in several Broadway shows before transitioning to set design.

Smith's first Broadway credit as a scenic designer was for the 1948 production of "High Button Shoes." He quickly became known for his innovative and visually stunning designs, collaborating with some of the biggest names in the theater world.

He worked on over 50 Broadway productions throughout his career, including "My Fair Lady," "West Side Story," and "Hello, Dolly!"

In addition to his work on Broadway, Smith also designed sets for opera productions at the Metropolitan Opera and the San Francisco Opera.

He was also a professor of scenic design at Yale University from 1956 to 1961.

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