John Smiley
Visiting Assistant Professor of Acting – Interim Head of Performance/Acting, Theatre & Dance
About John Smiley
John Smiley is a professional actor, director, and acting teacher. He earned a Dual Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theatre and English Literature from the State University of New York at Oswego and a Master of Fine Arts Degree in Acting from The University of Texas at Austin. Previously, John served as the Head of Acting and Director of Theatre at Christian Brothers High School in Memphis, TN, and has also been an adjunct faculty member at the University of Memphis and Southwest Tennessee Community College.
As a trained Stanislavski and Meisner-based actor, Smiley’s expertise extends beyond psychological acting methods into psychophysical acting techniques, physical theatre, and movement for actors. He completed the Teacher Training Program in the Michael Chekhov Acting Technique from the Michael Chekhov Association and is a Certified Teacher of the Michael Chekhov Acting Technique from the Great Lakes Michael Chekhov Consortium. He is proficient in the Alexander Technique, Suzuki, Viewpoints, the Grotowski Technique, Mask (Neutral/Commedia/Red Nose Clown), and Devised Theatre. John is currently studying Theatrical Intimacy Training with Intimacy Directors and Coordinators (IDC) and Heartland Intimacy Design & Training.
His extensive career as a performer spans over twenty-five years, including collaborations and performances on international, national, and regional stages. Highlights include the Fallsview Casino in Niagara Falls, TheatreworksUSA, Gretna Playhouse, Mill Mountain Theatre, Provincetown Theater, The Warehouse Theatre, Columbia Stages, Philadelphia's Pig Iron Theatre Company, the Austin-based Rude Mechs Theatre Company, ZACH Theatre, Playhouse On the Square, and Theatre Memphis. Off-Broadway in New York City, John has appeared at the Historic Gym at Judson Theater (Merchant of Venice), the La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club (Bum Phillips All-American Opera), and 59E59 Theaters (Welcome to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia).John currently operates a private acting studio, Michel Checkhov Memphis. He is a former member of the Actors' Equity Association and is an active member of the National Alliance of Acting Teachers and the Society of American Fight Directors.
Education
Master of Fine Arts in Acting, The University of Texas at Austin, 2013
Dual Bachelor of Arts Cum Laude in Theatre and English, SUNY Oswego, 2002