Fring Hit A MILE IN MY SHOES Returns Sunday

In 2007, Kathryn Taylor Smith created a very well-received "homeless angel" character for a stage production. That led to her first short film featuring the same character, which would earn Smith acting awards in film festivals around the country. Smith soon became actively aware of the homeless epidemic; researching the problem, volunteering for organizations, becoming an advocate, and talking with those who experienced it...all culminating in her hit show A Mile in My Shoes, which made its premiere at this past Hollywood Fringe Festival. While a great start, Smith knew she wanted to reach more people with her message of the power of "small change."

As such, A Mile in My Shoes is about to embark on a multi-city national tour, but not before a full run on Sundays from November 4 to December 9 at the Hudson Backstage Theatre in Los Angeles.

In A Mile in My Shoes, we meet Ester, an omniscient "shoe whisperer," as she walks us through a day in her life on Skid Row. We meet a variety of characters: a transgender teen, a young mom, a mentally ill substance abuser, a high school valedictorian, a police officer, concerned citizens at a city council meeting and others as they put a face on the homeless epidemic. Truly theatre with a conscience, Smith blends drama, comedy and poetry in her portrayal of 16 characters inspired by research and personal interviews with past and present members of the homeless community in L.A. as well as those who advocate for them. Helmed by accomplished director Zadia Ife, this socially relevant piece speaks to the audience from a raw, uncensored, unapologetic perspective, compelling us to do more, to be better and to act kinder to our homeless brethren, not because they are homeless, but because we are all human.

A true multi-hyphenate (actor, model, host, voice over artist, writer, motivational speaker) Smith was a Hollywood Fringe 2018 Scholarship winner and her show received an ENCORE! Producers' Award. But for Smith, Fringe was just the first step in getting the message of her show out there. She knew she wanted to open the show up to a wider audience both locally and across the country. After the L.A. run, Smith is taking A Mile in My Shoes on a 2019 national tour to Memphis (her home town), Kansas City, Phoenix, Atlanta, Chicago, San Francisco and New York.

In each city, Smith will be partnering with a nonprofit to help raise awareness to the homeless problem. In L.A., some of the proceeds from her show will toward the nonprofit My Friends House as well as others. Smith will also be collecting toiletries and shoes for the homeless at her performances.

"I hope my audience leaves believing in the power of 'small change,'" Smith says. "I hope they all leave knowing everyone can do something to help end homelessness, no matter how big or small. A kind word, a donation, volunteering, organizing, political action. There is a ripple effect to kindness and love. As I say in my show, 'When you change your mind, a life, and a policy, changing the world happens automatically.' Every shoe has a story, and I believe and hope that experiencing these true stories of homelessness will inspire that small change."

http://www.kathryntaylorsmith.com/

plays411.com/mileinmyshoes

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