DIRECTING
"Working with Roger Smart has been such a great experience. He’s made the rehearsal studio such a welcoming place to be. Roger had so many ideas for the performance but didn’t force them on us, instead he allowed us to work collaboratively to create an interesting and unique piece of work."
Ensemble Member, Richard II, May 2017
My directing experience spans some 28 years, working in both professional and academic settings. As a director, a central goal of mine is always to build a strong ensemble that works collaboratively. Actors and designers are empowered as autonomous, creative artists.
Professional
Our Country’s Good - Wertenbaker ❖ Shattered Globe Theatre — Chicago, IL
• Chicago Tribune - Recommended production
• Time Out, Chicago - Recommended production
• Chicago Theatre Review - Recommended production
Happy Now - Coxon ❖ Shattered Globe Theatre — Chicago, IL
• Time Out, Chicago - Recommended production
Her Naked Skin - Lenkiewicz ❖ Shattered Globe Theatre — Chicago, IL
• Joseph Jefferson Awards Committee Recommended Production
• Chicago on the Aisle - Highly Recommended production
Romeo & Juliet - Shakespeare (inspired by The Factory Theatre, London) ❖ Shattered Globe Theatre
A Map of the World - Hare ❖ Burning Coal Theatre — Raleigh, NC
Duet for One - Kempinski ❖ The Aqwherium — Greensboro, NC
subUrbia - Bogosian ❖ The Garage — Winston Salem, NC
Stopkiss - Son ❖ Elsewhere — Greensboro, NC
Dylan - Michaels ❖ Seanachai Theatre — Chicago, IL
+ Winner of 2002 Joseph Jefferson Award for Actor in a Principle Role
• Joseph Jefferson Awards Committee Recommended Production
• Included in Chicago Tribune ‘Rave’ section
• Chicago Sun-Times Recommended production
The Servant of Two Masters - Goldoni ❖ Summer Nites at The Theatre Building — Chicago, IL
The Life of Galileo - Brecht ❖ Open Fist Theatre — Los Angeles, CA
• LA Weekly Pick of the Week
A Raisin in the Sun - Hansberry ❖ Long Beach Playhouse Studio — Long Beach, CA
Our Town - Wilder ❖ South Coast Repertory — Costa Mesa, CA
(assistant director to Mark Rucker)
In a Pig’s Valise - Overmyer ❖ Shattered Globe Theatre — Chicago, IL
+ Awarded Joseph Jefferson Citation for Actress in a Supporting Role
• Joseph Jefferson Awards Committee Recommended Production
• Chicago Sun-Times Recommended production
The Trial - Kafka — adapted Berkoff ❖ National Pastime Theater — Chicago, IL
The Dresser - Harwood ❖ Hollywood Performing Arts — Hollywood, FL
• Carbonelle Awards: Actor in a Leading Role—Honorable Mention
Loot - Orton ❖ Shattered Globe Theatre — Chicago, IL
The Road to Mecca - Fugard ❖ Royal George Gallery Theater — Chicago, IL
+ Awarded Joseph Jefferson Citation for Actress in a Principle Role
• Two Joseph Jefferson Citation nominations for Actress in a Principle Role
• Joseph Jefferson Awards Committee Recommended Production
God’s Country - Dietz ❖ Shattered Globe Theatre — Chicago, IL
• Joseph Jefferson Awards Committee Recommended Production
• Nominated for Joseph Jefferson Citation for Production
• Nominated for Joseph Jefferson Citation for Ensemble
Saint Joan - Shaw ❖ Bailiwick Repertory — Chicago, IL
• Joseph Jefferson Awards Committee Recommended Production
The Dresser - Harwood ❖ Shattered Globe Theatre — Chicago, IL
+ Awarded Joseph Jefferson Citation for Actor in a Principle Role
• Nominated for Joseph Jefferson Citation for Direction
• Nominated for Joseph Jefferson Citation for Scenic Design
• Joseph Jefferson Awards Committee Recommended Production
Talk Radio - Bogosian ❖ Shattered Globe Theatre — Chicago, IL
+ Awarded Joseph Jefferson Citation for Actor in a Principle Role
+ Awarded Joseph Jefferson Citation for Actor in a Supporting Role
+ Awarded Joseph Jefferson Citation for Scenic Design
• Nominated for Joseph Jefferson Citation for Direction
• Nominated for Joseph Jefferson Citation for Production
• Joseph Jefferson Awards Committee Recommended Production
• Included in Chicago Tribune ‘Rave’ section
Academic
The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui - Brecht, trans Norris ❖ The Copenhagen International School of Performing Arts, Denmark
Trial - Devised by the Ensemble (inspired by Franz Kafka's The Trial & the work of Punchdrunk Theatre) ❖ University of Northampton, England
Macbeth - Shakespeare ❖ University of Northampton, England
Richard II - Shakespeare ❖ University of Northampton, England
Blood Wedding - Lorca ❖ West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV
Romeo & Juliet - Shakespeare ❖ Millikin University, Decatur, IL
Six Characters in Search of an Author - Pirandello ❖ Millikin University, Decatur, IL
Julius Caesar - Shakespeare ❖ Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK
The School for Wives - Molière ❖ Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK
Road - Cartwright ❖ University of North Carolina, Greensboro, NC
The Women - Boothe ❖ University of North Carolina, Greensboro, NC
Images of Love and Hate - Devised by the Ensemble ❖ Birmingham School of Speech & Drama, England
Scenes From An Execution - Barker ❖ University of California, Irvine, CA
Oedipus - Seneca, trans. Hughes ❖ University of California, Irvine, CA
Road - Cartwright ❖ University of California, Irvine, CA
Duet For One - Kempinski ❖ University of California, Irvine, CA