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Lauren Marissa Smith

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BIO

Lauren Marissa Smith is an artist, actor and writer colliding movement, language and imagery to celebrate Black womanhood. She studied acting at the Susan Batson Studio in New York City and is a phi beta kappa graduate of Spelman College receiving a BA in English. Her favorite roles include Janie Mae Crawford in Their Eyes, Charlie in the award­-winning film Charlie and Daniel, and Tillie Petunia in the AUDELCO recognized production of On Striver's Row. She is one of the creative producers for Brown Girls Burlesque and its newly formed subsidiary Brown Girls Theater, which focuses on live entertainment experiences centering the lives of Black women. She is also served as the board co-chair of The WOW Cafe Theater, a women’s and transwomen’s space dedicated to artistic freedom. She is also the co-founder of create, inc., a non profit initiative which aides in the development of African-American artists.

News


National Black Theatre Opens Applications for 2024-2026 SOUL SERIES L.A.B. PROGRAMS

NATIONAL BLACK THEATRE is now accepting applications for the 2024-2026 SOUL SERIES L.A.B. PROGRAMS. Learn how to apply!
National Black Theatre Selects Five Artists for 2023 Soul Series Lab Residency Program

Learn about the five talented artists selected for National Black Theatre's 2023 Soul Series Lab Residency Program. Discover their unique work and get an inside look at this exciting opportunity for emerging artists.
Thanksgiving Double Feature Breaks The Mold At Metropolitan Virtual Playhouse

The video will be available starting November 28 and will be available to stream through December 2 on the Playhouse webpage, the Metropolitan Playhouse YouTube channel, and the Metropolitan Playhouse Facebook page.
Negro Ensemble Presents A Virtual 10 Minute Play Competition in October

On Friday, October 9 at 8:00 PM, The Negro Ensemble Company, Inc. (NEC) will live stream the second installment of its NEC Zoom Short Play Series, 'This World Was Made for All Men--And Women,' a ten-minute play competition to be live streamed from Contra Studios, 122 W. 26th Street, Manhattan. 
National Black Theatre Expands Program and Selects Five Artists for the SOUL Series LAB Residency Program

Dr. Barbara Ann Teera??s National Black Theatre has expanded its SOUL Series LAB Residency Programs to select five artists. Due to the impact of the pandemic on freelance artists, NBT wanted to deepen its investment in Black artists and support the professional development of key stakeholders of creative production within American Theatre.
This Alien Nation, Tony Trischka and More Are Coming to Joe's Pub Feb 12-22

Joe's Pub has released its schedule for Feb 12-22! Brown Girls Burlesque: Love Got Game - Valentine's Edition (Feb. 12), Isaac Oliver Is Your Valentine (Feb. 13), and Lea DeLaria: f**k Love and more will take to the stage!
Morgan James, Lea DeLaria and More Are Heading to Joe's Pub

Love is in the air at Joe's Pub! Excited for Valentine's Day? Check out Stew & Heidi of The Negro Problem: Black History Valentine's Day Month (Feb. 5), Brown Girls Burlesque: Love Got Game - Valentine's Edition (Feb. 12), and Isaac Oliver Is Your Valentine (Feb. 13). Hate Valentine's Day? Then, Lea DeLaria: f**k Love is your ticket (Feb. 14). Indifferent to Valentine's Day? See Barb Jungr: Bob, Brel and Me (Feb. 14 & 15). Also, for the love of music and performance, don't miss Southern Avenue's soul/blues/R&B fusion (Feb. 5), The Loser's Lounge: The Rat Pack - Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., and More (Feb. 6-8), Celtic legends Genticorum (Feb. 9), renown soul singer Morgan James (Feb. 9), celebrated feminist comic Jaime Loftus (Feb. 10), game changing singer-songwriter-guitarist FLAX (Feb. 11), an exploration of early Dolly Parton with Nath Ann Carrera (Feb. 12), mesmerizing soul performances at Xavier and Friends: Ladies Of Soul Tribute - Special Chaka Khan Edition (Feb. 13), and raucous live music with rib-tickling storytelling from the award winning MESHELLE (Feb. 15).
Columbia University School Of The Arts Presents THE WOMAN / THE MAN Directed By Jeffrey Page

Columbia University School of the Arts is proud to present Jeffrey Page's  (Columbia MFA Directing Candidate 2019) production of The Woman / The Man.
Translab Theater Presents Staged Reading of SHATTERED REFLECTIONS (THE DEEP PLAY)

Translab Theater with support by the WP Theater & the Public Theater is honored to present a staged reading of Camille Suazo-Harris new play Shattered Reflections (The Deep Play) .
Columbia University School Of The Arts Presents LORDES Directed By Katherine Wilkinson

Columbia University School of the Arts is proud to present Katherine Wilkinson's (Columbia MFA Directing Candidate 2019) production of LORDES.
Photo Flash: ONE DROP Brings to Life the Struggles of the Civil War

'One Drop,' a family drama with music by Andrea J. Fulton, brings to life the politics of a young mixed-race man's 'passing' for white in post-Civil War Louisiana, illustrating the risks taken by those not afraid to love despite bigotry. The piece, inspired by the playwright's actual family history, tells the story of a family torn apart by racism but ultimately reunited. It debuted in Theater for the New City's Dream Up Festival in 2010. TNC will present a revival of the play, directed by Sabura Rashid, from February 1 to 18 in honor of Black History Month.
ENOUGH VO5 FOR THE UNIVERSE to Debut at 2017 New York Theatre Summer Festival

RJ Communications announces the World Premiere of the one-act play, "Enough VO5 For The Universe" written and directed by Melanie Maria Goodreaux and starring Maryam Myika Day (full cast list below) at the 2017 New York Theatre Summer Festival. 
Maryam Myika Day to Star in ENOUGH VO5 FOR THE UNIVERSE at New York Theatre Summer Festival

RJ Communications has announced the World Premiere of the one act play, "Enough VO5 For The Universe" written and directed by Melanie Maria Goodreaux and starring Maryam Myika Day at the 2017 New York Theatre Summer Festival.

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