THE THEATER THAT MADE ME: JARROD SMITH, NEW ORLEANS
Actor Jarrod Smith, along with inspirations Edward Albee and Jeffrey Wright
THE THEATER THAT MADE ME: JARROD SMITH
Talking to Paul Oswell
Hi, I'm Jarrod Smith and I'm an actor from the River Parishes. I grew up here. I’ve been acting since my days at Southern University. It’s been a while, but I’m happy to be making some theater again in New Orleans. I'm about to play Lestrade (and others) in the upcoming production by Crescent City Stage, Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson – Apt. 2B. Here are some of the formative theater and acting experiences that have influenced me, and a few of my most admired acting talents.
Edward Albee
The first play that made an impression on me was a production of ‘At Home/At The Zoo’ by Edward Albee at American Conservatory Theater. The Geary stage there was like a palace to me. Seeing the communication of the actors in their silence is what really turned me on to acting.
Nancy Benjamin
I ended up attending American Conservatory Theater for my MFA. I wasn’t too keen on doing Shakespeare in the next year, but one of my teachers, Nancy Benjamin, persuaded me to just go at it and attack it. I did that, and found out that I was kind of good at it.
Family
For every play that I’ve done, my parents have come to see it. Whether it’s here or out of state, they made sure to support me. I’ve been truly grateful for supportive parents like these two.
Theatre on screen
I've long had a fascination with the movies. Growing up, I'd get completely lost in them, and they made a lasting impression on me. In terms of theatrical adaptations, I’m a fan of ‘Glengarry Glen Ross’ by James Foley and ‘Ran’ by Akira Kurosawa. This was Kurosawa’s version of King Lear. ‘The Fugitive Kind’ by Sidney Lumet is another one. Tennessee Williams wrote that script, and it was based off of ‘Orpheus Descending’.
Actors
Lastly, my favorite actors are Jeffrey Wright, Gene Hackman, Melissa Leo, Gary Oldman and Robin Williams. Their transformation powers are unreal.
Catch Jarrod in Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson – Apt. 2B, which plays at the Marquette Theater at Loyola University from August 28 - September 14, 2025. Click here for more information and ticketing.
Hi, I'm Jarrod Smith and I'm an actor from the River Parishes. I grew up here. I’ve been acting since my days at Southern University. It’s been a while, but I’m happy to be making some theater again in New Orleans. I'm about to play Lestrade (and others) in the upcoming production by Crescent City Stage, Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson – Apt. 2B. Here are some of the formative theater and acting experiences that have influenced me, and a few of my most admired acting talents.
Edward Albee
The first play that made an impression on me was a production of ‘At Home/At The Zoo’ by Edward Albee at American Conservatory Theater. The Geary stage there was like a palace to me. Seeing the communication of the actors in their silence is what really turned me on to acting.
Nancy Benjamin
I ended up attending American Conservatory Theater for my MFA. I wasn’t too keen on doing Shakespeare in the next year, but one of my teachers, Nancy Benjamin, persuaded me to just go at it and attack it. I did that, and found out that I was kind of good at it.
Family
For every play that I’ve done, my parents have come to see it. Whether it’s here or out of state, they made sure to support me. I’ve been truly grateful for supportive parents like these two.
Theatre on screen
I've long had a fascination with the movies. Growing up, I'd get completely lost in them, and they made a lasting impression on me. In terms of theatrical adaptations, I’m a fan of ‘Glengarry Glen Ross’ by James Foley and ‘Ran’ by Akira Kurosawa. This was Kurosawa’s version of King Lear. ‘The Fugitive Kind’ by Sidney Lumet is another one. Tennessee Williams wrote that script, and it was based off of ‘Orpheus Descending’.
Actors
Lastly, my favorite actors are Jeffrey Wright, Gene Hackman, Melissa Leo, Gary Oldman and Robin Williams. Their transformation powers are unreal.
Catch Jarrod in Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson – Apt. 2B, which plays at the Marquette Theater at Loyola University from August 28 - September 14, 2025. Click here for more information and ticketing.
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