We look to the past to shape our future. Who are you? Where are you going from here?

Hi there! My name is Y’vonne Rose Smith, and I was born and raised in Lawton, Oklahoma! I am a person who loves family, friends, art, food, and spontaneous traveling adventures! I have a stimulus imagination, which I guess led me to doing Theatre, and exploring different characters who have various backgrounds. After I leave TAM, I will be finishing up my last year of graduate school at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign studying acting under some amazing teachers. Hopefully, after that, I will move into Chicago, IL and begin acting professionally full-time.

What excites you most about being a part of TAM’s Tragedy Tomorrow, Comedy Tonight Season?

I am most excited about doing Shakespeare’s Will for this season. The play is a beautiful story about Anne Hathaway (Shakespeare’s wife) and the events that happened in her life. Also, it sheds light on her strong personality, her inclusive thoughts, and her experiences as a wife, mother, and a woman. It will very much be my biggest challenge doing this show, because it is a one-woman show, and that could be very intimidating and scary; but it’s also thrilling and exciting at the same time. I think it will be a turning point in my career as a young actress, and I am excited to tell her story!

We’re all about making old things new and new things classic. Why are you drawn to classic theater? How do you shake it up?

When I went to Undergradute school, I was trained in different elements of classical theatre; specifically Shakespeare, and I was always told that I have the mouth for it. At the time, I was able to understand the language, and speak it in a way that my audience understood me as well. I grew to love Shakespeare’s work and his style. My big goal in life is to be able to play every lead MAN in Shakespeare, and to have the opportunity to act at the Globe Theatre in England! As for how do I shake it up, I just bring a part of myself into each character that I play. That may be classic for me to say, but there is only one me, and I think I am a pretty interesting character myself!

From what sources do you draw your inspiration?

Most recently, I have drawn my inspiration from reading fiction novels and reading biographies of actors I look up to. When my imagination is a little weak, I just pick up a book and let my mind go into another world; and almost every time, I am able to use something I read into the my work. I also draw my inspiration from my parents, because I think that is where I get my work ethic from and my perseverance and resilience from as well.

You can have dinner with any three influential people. Who are your dream guests, why them, and what is the topic of conversation?

Viola Davis because she is a successful black woman who has made an amazing career out of acting. Every character she has played has such believability, vulnerability, and strength to it. I would love to talk to her about how she overcomes challenges and obstacles in her work, and how she keeps going after years in this industry.

Michelle Obama because she is just an amazing role model for young black women such as myself. She always presents herself with such grace and elegance despite other people being against her and her family. And she is also very intelligent and always has words of wisdom to share. My topic of conversation would be how did you adjust to going from a normal American citizen to the First African American Lady of the United States?

Denzel Washington because he is also an amazing actor, and he is classically trained as well. Like Viola, they started in the theatre and worked their way up, and became successful. I love Denzel because he takes his work seriously, and his hard work is visible. I would love to talk to him about his life journey, because I do not know much about him, as he keeps his life private (as he should).

How have the past few years changed your view of making theater and what action are you most proud of?

The past few years have changed my view of making theatre because I realize that I want to tell the stories that need to be heard. For example, I would love to tell more African American stories and stories that involve my ancestors. I think there are so many stories that we have not heard before, and it is my job as a theatremaker to make them come to life. Furthermore, I am most proud of stepping out into the world and living my dream, and doing it independently. I am a young actor, and I am fortunate to have stayed in my career field since graduating undergrad.

What’s your super power?

My super power is bringing joy into every space that I enter. I never knew that was a superpower until one of my teachers told me in graduate school. Everyday I try to lead my life with joy, because you never know who might need it.