ABOUT
Nickolas Vaughan is a multi-hyphenate creative artist, filmmaker, actor and producer from Mobile, Alabama. At an early age, Nickolas expressed a love for filmmaking and performing, which prompted his parents to purchase a camcorder for him to create his own films. After receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Howard University, he began his professional acting career in Washington, DC, where he performed extensively at prominent theaters including: The John F. Kennedy Center, Ford’s Theatre, Signature Theatre and Studio Theatre.
Nickolas later moved to New York where he co-created Show:UP!, an immersive, interactive, theatrical dining experience. As Show:UP!’s co-creative director, Nickolas was able to utilize his skills in photo manipulation, video editing, art direction, music composition, and world building.
In Los Angeles, Nickolas received a scholarship to the Groundlings school. In 2019, Nickolas wrote, produced and starred in ’Til You Make It, a one-man show presented in both Los Angeles and New York. ’Til You Make It, was selected into the TAG Solo Festival at The Actors’ Group in Burbank, CA.
As a producer, Nickolas has worked on the Emmy Award winning series We're Here for HBO and the Kevin Hart mini-series: Hart Of It All. He is a Co-Producer for MAX's documentary series: Swiping America.
Nickolas wrote, directed, and filmed Ajani: Volume 1. A short film celebrating the complexities of black gay identity. In 2022, Nickolas presented Project: Nick Vaughan, a one-man show in development at The Flea Theater, which featured his short dance film, Do You Understand?
Nickolas's original immersive project, "Let Me Check In The Back," has been selected for WACO Theater Center's 2024 Artistic Program: We the People, and has received the Franklin Furnace Grant for Performance Art.
In his free time, Nickolas enjoys sewing, crafting and building furniture.
GALLERY
The Nickolas Vaughan Show'Til You Make It Thymele Arts Los Angeles, CA | Pizza Boy - Short Film |
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Intoxicated (Music Video)Artist: Aaryan Shah Director of Photography: Elias Ginsberg Directors: Cody Remillard, Christian Korpi & Aaryan Shah | Project: Nick VaughanThe Flea Theater New York, NY Photo: Louisiana Kreutz |
Project: Nick VaughanThe Flea Theater New York, NY Photo: Louisiana Kreutz | We're Here (HBO)Photo: Justin Machnik |
Marcus; Or The Secret Of SweetStudio Theatre Washington, DC | Our TownFord's Theatre Washington, DC Photo by T. Charles Erickson |
The Piano LessonThe Hangar Theatre Ithaca, NY Thomas Hoebbel Photography | Our TownFord's Theatre Washington, DC Photo by T. Charles Erickson |
ShadowboxerKay Theatre College Park, MD | Helen Hayes Awards 2013 |
Piano Lesson, Hangar TheatreThomas Hoebbel Photography | 25th Annual Putname County Spelling Bee |
Locomotion, John F. Kennedy Center | Dreamgirls, Signature Theatre |
Shadowboxer | Piano Lesson+Thomas Hoebbel Photography |
RECENT
"Let Me Check In The Back" throws out the rulebook for performance. A pop-up concept store becomes the stage for a mind-bending solo performance. Through a blend of performance art, sketch comedy, and multimedia elements, the lines between reality and narrative blur. This immersive experience delves into Black gay identity and the power of self-love, offering a unique and potentially surprising experience.
"Let Me Check In The Back," garnered a prestigious Franklin Furnace performance art grant. This innovative work premiered at WACO Theater Center in Los Angeles as part of their We The People Festival. The show was later presented at the Bed-Stuy Art House in New York City.
Photos: Adrian Javon & J'Quan Jarrel
*This work was made possible, in part, by the Franklin Furnace FUND 2023-24, supported by SHS Foundation, Silicon Valley Community Foundation, the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, and the members and friends of Franklin Furnace Archive.