From JMU theater to VJ stardom
When Smith wasn’t packing patties on the weekend, he was working his buns off in school. A student in The College of Visual and Performing Arts, Smith was thoroughly engaged in his classes. One of his memorable classes was The Open Studio, a course involving exposure to contemporary examples of interdisciplinary art from dance, theatre, music, creative writing, visual art, film and video. Always seeking opportunities to bring his talent and skills to the next level, Smith was also involved in theatre activities and projects outside of the classroom.
Smith participated in The Children’s Playshop, the annual project of the JMU School of Theatre and Dance. Students bring fairy tales, children’s musicals and literature to life through exhilarating live theatre. Students spend their mornings building and decorating the sets and their afternoons rehearsing. Playshop director William Buck warmly remembers Smith’s involvement.
“Whether amusing children as a bizarre witch in ‘Hansel and Gretel’ or jumping into a pool of water in Theatre II dressed as a six-foot-tall frog, Steve was always fun to work with,” says Buck. “It is hard to think of Steve without smiling. He represents what I find so appealing about most JMU students. He was smart, dedicated and totally fearless. It is no surprise that he has done well.”
While scores of students may sneer, snicker and snore at a year-end project, Smith’s experience was nothing short of incredible—and that’s coming from a guy who’s chatted with Metallica.