Jacqueline E. Lawton
  • Home
  • Info
    • Artistic Statement
    • Bio
    • Awards and Fellowships
    • Affiliations
  • Writing
    • Upcoming Events
    • Previous Events
    • Plays
    • Productions
    • Commissions
    • Award Ceremonies
    • Publications
  • Advocacy
    • Appearances
    • Facilitation, Workshops, and Trainings
    • Access, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in the American Theatre
    • Gender Equity
    • Theatre and Technology
    • Theatre Action >
      • After Orlando
      • Climate Change
      • Every 28 Hour Plays
    • Testimonials
    • Additional Resources
  • Dramaturgy
    • New Play Development
    • Production Dramaturgy
    • Dramaturgy and Script Consultation
    • Additional Resources
  • Teaching
    • Qualifications
    • Curriculum Development, Theatre Arts Integration and Teaching Artist Training
    • Philosophy
    • Experience
  • Producing
    • ARDEO
    • On Stage with the Migration Series
    • Out of Silence: Abortion Stories from the 1 in 3 Campaign
  • Media
    • Gallery
    • Good Ink
    • Media Coverage
    • Interviews
    • Press Releases
    • Podcast & Video
  • Blog
  • Contact

Pasadena Playhouse's HotHouse Reading of Noms de Guerre: Interview with Jacques C. Smith

9/24/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
In preparation for the upcoming workshop and reading of NOMS DE GUERRE as part of Pasadena Playhouse's HotHouse series, I connected with our company about their careers in the theatre and the relevant themes of the play. HotHouse readings are by invitation only. Click here to learn more and please enjoy this wonderful interview with cast member Jacques C. Smith.


Picture
JACQUELINE LAWTON: To begin, why did you decide to get into theater? Was there someone or a particular show that inspired you? 
JACQUES C. SMITH: I began doing theater in high school as an extra-curricular activity. I enjoyed it immensely but never considered it as a career option at that time. While in college, I began to consider it as a profession. As a test for myself, one summer, I decided to audition for a production in my hometown of Chicago. I purposely chose a theater with which I was unfamiliar and where no one knew me in order to experience the craft without any prior relationships influencing me. This production of Cyrano de Bergerac solidified my love of acting and the art form itself. It answered many questions that I have never had to ask myself again throughout the unpredictability of life as a performer. That was the beginning of the mindset to pursue it as a profession, but there have been and continue to be inspirations that keep me motivated and focused. 

JL: NOMS DE GUERRE is a socio-political drama that addresses the U.S. military policy and the damaging impact of PTSD on veterans and their family. Why do you feel this play is relevant to today’s audiences? 
JS: I believe this play is relevant because there are so many veterans who have served in various conflicts overseas in the past few decades and returned home to environments that are either less than welcoming or indifferent due to the highly politicized perspectives of the United States’ military involvement. The play shows that we can’t ignore or take for granted any of the experiences of our veterans, including those who are highly directed or those who appear well adjusted. It also highlights the the recent events concerning the treatment of veterans. Their service to the country should dictate that we continue to serve them once they return. All of these issues are should be highlighted to illustrate the prevalence and significance. 

JL: NOMS DE GUERRE also addresses women’s rights and recent restrictions places on health care for women. It’s been 50 years since the Women’s Liberation Movement swept the nation, where do you feel we are in terms of gender relations in the U.S.? 
JS: Like various movements in America’s history, the Women’s Movement has taken tremendous strides forward but still finds itself in a continual struggle for gender equality and independence politically, economically, and socially. It’s amazing when you can see women as CEOs of some of America’s biggest and best corporations or being very close to holding the highest political office in the land. However, these achievements don’t erase the everyday battles that women face concerning equal pay, access to adequate and legal healthcare, or professional mobility. There are many unique circumstances that women face such as family vs. career or threat of sexual/domestic violence that most men never have to give a second consideration. The unfortunate part of the discussion of gender relations is that while we know that we live in a patriarchal society, it seems that there is a concerted effort present in some states to legally relegate women to a second-tier status as citizens by ignoring their voices and passing laws that are antithetical to their concerns. 

JL: Which character are you playing? What, if anything, do you have in common with this character’s passions, values, intentions or belief system? 
JS:
I am playing Douglas Hamilton. I believe that we share an immense love for and fealty to family. He wants to protect his wife even it if means he’s seen in a negative light. He also has a strong internal sense of justice. He truly desires to find the truth. I’m sure there are others that a will be discovered also during our exploration of the play.

JL: What’s next for you as an actor? Where can we follow your work? 
JS: What is next for me is more prayer and the continuous search for the next gig. You can follow my work or tales of it on Twitter: @jacquescsmith.


Picture
Built on a tradition of innovation and excellence, The Pasadena Playhouse is committed to continue to be the premiere theatrical experience in Southern California showcasing the most exciting theatrical entertainment in the state and being an amazing forum for launching new work onto the national stage.

0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    My Blog

    Picture
    I'm a playwright, dramaturg, and teaching artist. It is here where you'll find my queries and musings on life, theater and the world. My posts advocate for diversity, inclusion, and equity in the American Theatre and updates on my own work. Please enjoy!
    Tweets by @dulcia25

    Categories

    All
    Advocates For Youth
    ARDEO
    Blackbirds
    Dance Exchange
    Dc Theatre
    Diversity And Inclusion
    Dramatist Guild
    Gender Parity
    Intelligence
    Lions Of Industry
    LoTT
    Love Brothers Serenade
    Mothers Of Invention
    Musings
    Nnpn
    Noms De Guerre
    Nso
    Our Man Beverly Snow
    Plays For Two
    TCG
    Theatre Education
    Theatre For Social Change
    The Hampton Years
    The Inferior Sex
    Triangle Theatre
    Wizard Of Oz
    Women Artistic Directors
    Women Directors
    Women Dramaturgs
    Women Playwrights
    Women Stage Managers
    Women Theatre Critics
    Xx Playlab Festival

    Archives

    June 2020
    April 2020
    December 2019
    September 2019
    May 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    September 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    June 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    August 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    May 2012

    Reading List
    2am Theatre
    American Theatre Wing

    Americans for the Arts
    The Atlantic
    Black Girl Dangerous
    Colorlines
    Feminist Crunk Collective
    Feminist Spectator

    The Good Men Project
    Guardian: Theatre
    Guernica
    HowlRound
    Media Diversified
    The Nation
    NEA Art Works
    NPR Arts and Life
    NYTimes: Arts

    Opine Season
    The New Yorker
    The Paris Review

    Salon
    Theater Talks
    Think Progress
    WaPo: Theatre
    Works by Women

    Vox

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • Info
    • Artistic Statement
    • Bio
    • Awards and Fellowships
    • Affiliations
  • Writing
    • Upcoming Events
    • Previous Events
    • Plays
    • Productions
    • Commissions
    • Award Ceremonies
    • Publications
  • Advocacy
    • Appearances
    • Facilitation, Workshops, and Trainings
    • Access, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in the American Theatre
    • Gender Equity
    • Theatre and Technology
    • Theatre Action >
      • After Orlando
      • Climate Change
      • Every 28 Hour Plays
    • Testimonials
    • Additional Resources
  • Dramaturgy
    • New Play Development
    • Production Dramaturgy
    • Dramaturgy and Script Consultation
    • Additional Resources
  • Teaching
    • Qualifications
    • Curriculum Development, Theatre Arts Integration and Teaching Artist Training
    • Philosophy
    • Experience
  • Producing
    • ARDEO
    • On Stage with the Migration Series
    • Out of Silence: Abortion Stories from the 1 in 3 Campaign
  • Media
    • Gallery
    • Good Ink
    • Media Coverage
    • Interviews
    • Press Releases
    • Podcast & Video
  • Blog
  • Contact