About
About
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Nicholas J. Taboni (he/him) is a scenic and media designer based in Chicago, IL.
Nicholas is a recent graduate from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with his MFA in Scenic Design. He attended the University at Buffalo where he received a BA in Theatre, a BS in Exercise Science, and a Doctorate in Physical Therapy.
Nicholas has been designing regionally across the Midwest and Northeast for the past 5 years. He has also served as the Production Manager of Hope Repertory Theatre for the 2025 and 2026 seasons.
In 2026, he was a presenting member of the USITT Emerging Artist Showcase. His thesis project, Creating a Universal Audience Experiences, Advancing Accessible Theatre for Blind / Low Vision Audiences, will be part of the 2027 US PQ exhibit.
Nicholas is excited to continue to bring impactful design and experiences to regional audiences.
PRESS
Elephant in the Womb – Black Cat Theatre Company, 2026
"In their vast theatrical arena (scenic designer Nicholas J. Taboni brilliantly delivers on the promise of whatever the hell "a big-top tent but inside a uterus" might look like)" (Ben Kaye, Ben Kaye Words)
Anastasia - Lyric Theatre at Illinois, 2025
"This Anastasia is a visually spectacular production. The scenic and media work, both designed by Nicholas J. Taboni, transforms the Tryon stage into something cinematic in scope. A slanted false proscenium, a series of receding forced-perspective portals, and massive tracking side panels all work together to create depth and fluidity. These elements weave seamlessly with Taboni’s projections so the entire stage appears to breathe. Snow floats across the world, propaganda melts into a glittering ballroom, and the environment reshapes itself in ways that feel magical." (Kendall Jeonson, Smile Politely)
Everybody - Illinois Theatre, 2026
"The stage, with set design by Nicholas J. Taboni, is arranged in the round, framed by oversized doorways like thresholds waiting to be crossed. Greenery spills through the space. Light, designed by Paige Vick, filters down through the vine-wrapped framework above. Even the visible spike marks feel intentional, promising movement. Nothing about the design is static. Everything feels poised to shift." (Kendall Jeonson, Smile Politely)
Orlando - Illinois Theatre, 2024
This scenic deisgn is a "3-Dimensional Poem" (Sarah Ruhl, playwright)
Taboni_Resume.pdfTaboni_CV.pdfPage updated
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