Oliver Smith

Prolific and accomplished set designer of theater, dance, opera and film who contributed to our cultural atmosphere over four decades. Smith added color to the 50s in particular by designing some of the decade's most beloved artifacts of performance. He created the Broadway sets of "My Fair Lady", "Auntie Mame", "West Side Story", "Camelot" and "Hello, Dolly!", among many others. For the Metropolitan Opera, he designed "La Traviata" and, in the sphere of modern dance, he crafted the look and space of Agnes de Mille's "Fall River Legend" and Jerome Robbins' "Fancy Free". His film work included the primary-colored confection that was the set of Joseph Mankiewicz's "Guys and Dolls" (1955), "Porgy and Bess" (1959), and even the provincial glories of the film musical "The Sound of Music" (1965). His final film set design was for "Giselle" (1968).

• Born:
  February 13, 1918 in Waupaun, Wisconsin
• Died:
  January 23, 1994.
• Job Titles:
  Production designer, Ballet producer, Set designer, Art consultant

Education

• Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania

Milestones

• 1942 Designed first Broadway set, "Rosalinda"
• 1945 Became co-director of American Ballet Theater
• 1955 Debut as film production designer "Guys and Dolls"
• 1977 Last film credit, art consultant on "The Turning Point"
• 1992 Named director emeritus of American Ballet Theater