The Why
After years of hearing the complaints of her peers & experiencing her own hair-horror stories, in theater and on television sets, Nikiya created ActTRESSES Hair by Nikiya also known as Our Black TRESSES, which specializes in wig design and styling for actors of color.
Nikiya Mathis
Provides workshops called "HAIRversations"
For Actors of color, which are geared toward providing solutions to the "hair" question in auditioning, casting, working in theater and on set.
Wig Design for TV
and film actresses
Including Phylicia Rashad, Danai Gurira, Anika Noni Rose, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Carra Patterson, Kara Young, and others.
Her recent work can be seen on this season of THE GILDED AGE.
Teaches hair/wig design
Masterclasses for universities & organizations, including NYU Tisch Graduate Costume Design, Yale, and Princeton universities, among others.
Nikiya made Broadway history as the first wig designer to ever receive a special Tony Award
for her design of the Broadway show, “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding” by Jocelyn Bioh.
Nikiya Mathis is a classically trained actress, who holds an MFA from NYU Tisch School of the Arts
She recently recurred in the role of N’kiyah Franklin in
POWER BOOK 3 RAISING KANAN on STARZ.
Her other TV credits include
THE BLACKLIST, CHICAGO MED, BRAINDEAD, NEW AMSTERDAM, BLUE BLOODS, THE NIGHT OF, and others.
As an actor, she has originated roles in world-premiere off Broadway plays
including:
Oscar-winner Tarell Alvin McCraney's
THE BROTHER/SISTER PLAYS, at the Public Theatre
Olivier Award-winner Dominique Morrisseau's SKELETON CREW at Atlantic Theatre
Kirsten Greenidge's MILK LIKE SUGAR at Playwrights Horizon's
Pulitzer-Prize winner Lynn Nottage's NY revival of FABULATION; OR THE RE-EDUCATION OF UNDINE at the Signature Theater
and others
Nikiya 's
Wig Design Credits
PURPOSE
HOME
The Heart of Rock & Roll
Once Upon A One More Time
Death of A Salesman
Top Dog/Underdog & Chicken & Biscuits
Off Broadway credits:
“Goddess: the Musical” at the Public Theatre
“Lights Out” at New York Theatre Workshop,
“LIberation” at the Roundabout Theatre
“Goddess: the Musical” at the Public Theatre
The reimagining of “Cats, the Jellicle Ball” at the Perelman Performing Arts Center
“Primary Trust” at the Roundabout Theater
“This Land Was Made” at the Vineyard Theater
“A Raisin in the Sun” at The Public Theatre
“Nollywood Dreams” at MCC, “Primary Trust” at Roundabout Theatre
“The Cotillion” at the Movement Theatre Co
“Stew” at Soho Rep/Page 73
“Crowndation” at National Black Theater
“This Land Was Made” at Vineyard Theatre
“Stew” at Soho Rep/Page 73, and more