SLT PROFILE: Brady Smith

Usually at least once after every production, an audience member will excitedly approach me in the lobby and ask “Where did you find all of these performers?  Do you hire them in?”.  And more often than not, they’re shocked to find out that all of our actors, dancers, singers, production crew, directors, choreographers, musicians and designers come from right here in the Upstate.  After all, community theatre should be about providing the “community” with not only opportunities to see quality theatrical productions, but should also provide local talent the opportunity to express that talent and have fun while they’re doing it. 

So here it is: 1) the first in a series of profiles, highlighting some of the people that make the Spartanburg Little Theatre work and  2) a spotlight on the cast of our upcoming production “Thoroughly Modern Millie”.

I first saw Brady Smith in SLT’s Spring 2008 production of Andrew Lloyd Weber’s CATS.  My first thought was “Where is he finding all of this energy?” and my second thought was “Is he going to be able to keep this up for 2+ hours”.  Well the answers, as it is, happened to turn out to be “I have no earthly idea”  and “Yes!”.  With boundless energy, an excellent voice and a spirit that reaches even the last row in the balcony, Brady has been a welcome addition to the Spartanburg Theatre scene:

NAME:  Brady Smith

AGE:  24

OCCUPATION:  Elementary school music teacher

JC (Jay Coffman):  What other roles have Spartanburg audiences seen you in?

BS (Brady Smith):  I played Mungojerrie (of Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer) in last season’s production of CATS.

JC:  What role are you playing in “Thoroughly Modern Millie”?

BS:  I’m playing the role of Jimmy, a cocky, spoiled young man who is thrust into the world to find the real meaning of “happiness”.

JC:  What do you think your biggest challenges will be in portraying this character?

BS:  Getting the cocky swagger and attitude that Jimmy puts on.   I’m different from jimmy because I appreciate things and am very humble, hate praise and recognition, and am not as "forward" as Jimmy is.

JC:  When did you get your start acting, singing, dancing?

BS:  I started singing at the age of 4 and acting at the age of 9.

JC:  Well since then, have you had any stage experiences that you would quantify as your “best” or “favorite”?

BS:  CATS!

JC:  I know every actor has a “dream” part that they’d like to play one day (I’m still holding onto Rolf in Sound of Music at age 36).  What are your dream roles?

BS:  Paul in “A Chorus Line”.  The Emcee in “Cabaret” and anything in “42nd Street”!

JC:  Now, I sometimes think all the best Broadway songs were written for women.  Let’s imagine a world of genderless casting.  What role would you die to play?

BS:  Elphaba in “Wicked”.  Need I say more????

Come see Brady as Jimmy in The Spartanburg Little Theatre’s production of “Thoroughly Modern Millie” on March 6-8 and 13-15 at the Chapman Cultural Center in Downtown Spartanburg.  Tickets available at www.chapmanculturalcenter.org.  More information is available at www.spartanburglittletheatre.org.