Charles Smith (playwright) facts for kids
Charles Smith is a talented playwright and a dedicated teacher who lives in the Midwestern United States. He is famous for his plays shown at Victory Gardens Theater and his TV shows on WMAQ-TV. He also leads the Professional Playwriting Program at Ohio University.
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About Charles Smith
His Early Life and Education
Charles Smith grew up in the South Side, Chicago, as one of seven children. He left high school and worked in factories in Chicago. Later, he joined the US Army and was stationed in South Korea.
After his time in the army, Smith returned to Chicago. He started taking classes at Harold Washington College. With help from a mentor named Edward Homewood, Smith began writing. He then went to graduate school to study playwriting at the University of Iowa. Smith also spent time working with the New Dramatists group in New York City.
His Career as a Playwright
Charles Smith began his career at Victory Gardens Theater in 1985 as an intern. He later became a playwright who worked there regularly. Nine of his plays were first shown at Victory Gardens. These include Knock Me a Kiss, Freefall, and The Sutherland.
The Indiana Repertory Theatre asked him to write three plays: The Gospel According to James, Sister Carrie, and Les Trois Dumas. Some of his other plays are Denmark, Pudd'nhead Wilson, Takunda, City of Gold, Jelly Belly, Young Richard, and Free Man of Color.
TV Work and Awards
Smith's TV play, Pequito, was shown as part of the Chicago Playwright's Festival on WMAQ-TV. This show won a Chicago/Midwest Emmy Award in 1986. In 1987, another TV play by Smith, Fast Break to Glory, won more Chicago/Midwest Emmys. It won for Best Entertainment Program, for Performers On Camera, and for Non-Performing Achievements like directing.
His 1995 play, Black Star Line, was created for the Goodman Theatre. This play was even considered for the famous Pulitzer Prize.
Teaching and Recent Works
Before teaching at Ohio University, where he is now a respected professor, Smith taught playwriting at Northwestern University.
His play, "The Reclamation of Madison Hemings", was first shown at the Indiana Repertory Theatre in Indianapolis, IN on March 25, 2021.
DePaul University Special Collections and Archives keeps a collection of Smith's early writings and typed scripts.
