Charles Smith (playwright) facts for kids
Charles Smith is a talented writer who creates plays for the stage. He also writes scripts for TV shows. He is known for his plays shown at Victory Gardens Theater in Chicago. Charles Smith is also a teacher. He leads the playwriting program at Ohio University.
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Charles Smith's Early Life
Charles Smith grew up in South Side, Chicago. He was one of seven children in his family. Smith left high school early. He then worked in factories in Chicago. Later, he joined the US Army. He was stationed in South Korea during his service.
After leaving the army, Smith returned to Chicago. He started taking classes at Harold Washington College. A mentor named Edward Homewood helped him begin writing. Smith then went to graduate school. He studied playwriting at the University of Iowa. He also spent time in New York City with a group called New Dramatists.
Charles Smith's Career in Playwriting
Smith began his career at Victory Gardens Theater in 1985. He started as an intern there. Later, he became a special writer for the theater. Nine of his plays were first shown at Victory Gardens. These include Knock Me a Kiss and Freefall.
Other theaters also asked Smith to write plays. The Indiana Repertory Theatre asked him to write three plays. These were The Gospel According to James and Sister Carrie. Some of his other plays are Denmark and Pudd'nhead Wilson.
TV Work and Awards
Charles Smith also wrote for television. His TV play, Pequito, was shown on WMAQ-TV. This show won a special award called a Chicago/Midwest Emmy Award in 1986.
In 1987, another TV play by Smith won more Emmys. This play was called Fast Break to Glory. It won awards for being a great entertainment program. It also won for the actors who appeared on screen. Plus, it won for the director, Roger Lee Miller.
Notable Plays and Teaching
Smith's 1995 play, Black Star Line, was a very important work. It was considered for the Pulitzer Prize. This is a very famous award for writing.
Before teaching at Ohio University, Smith taught playwriting at Northwestern University. At Ohio University, he is a respected professor.
A newer play by Smith, "The Reclamation of Madison Hemings", was first shown in 2021. This happened at the Indiana Repertory Theatre in Indianapolis, IN.
You can find many of Smith's original writings and drafts. They are kept at DePaul University Special Collections and Archives.
