Tom Smith

Education

• M.F.A., Directing and Acting, University of Missouri-Kansas City, 1994
• B.A., Dramatic Arts, Whitman College, 1991
• Certification, Secondary Education, Whitman College, 1991

Areas of Emphasis or Expertise

• Playwriting
• Directing
• Improvisation
• Theatre Management
• Acting

Selected Publications

• Autumn's Child (monologue) in Audition Arsenal for Women in their 20s, Smith & Kraus
• A Christmas Carol, published by YouthPLAYS
• Dangerous, published by Playscripts
• Drinking Habits, published by Playscripts
• Drinking Habits 2: Caught in the Act, published by Playscripts
• End of the Meal in 105 Five-Minute Plays for Study and Performance, Smith & Kraus, Inc.
• ESL, published by YouthPLAYS
• Gray, published by Original Works Online
• Johnny and Sally Ann, published by YouthPLAYS
• Marguerita’s Secret Diary, published by Baker's Plays
• My Days are Filled with Numbers in 105 Five-Minute Plays for Study and Performance, Smith & Kraus, Inc.
• The Odyssey, published by Playscripts.com
• The Pathmaker, published by Encore Performance Publishing
• Two Gentlemen of Verona (editor), published by Eldridge Press
• What Comes Around…, published by YouthPLAYS
• The Wild and Wacky Rhyming Stories of Miss Henrietta Humpledowning, published by YouthPLAYS

Books

• The Other Blocking: Teaching and Performing Improvisation (Kendall Hunt 2009) : View Book

Selected Presentations

• Washington Thespian Teacher In-Service Day, Teaching Improv on Zoom, Online (October 2020)
• Washington Thespian Teacher In-Service Day, Best Practices for Self-Tapes, Online (October 2020)
• Association of Theatre in Higher Education, The Drive for New Voices: Directing and Developing New Works in the Academy, Online (August 2020)
• Association of Theatre in Higher Education, Collaboration: Beyond the Theatre Department, Online (August 2020)
• Pacific Lutheran University Pivotal Pedagogy summer program, Setting Instructional & Pedagogical Goals for Fall 2020, Tacoma, WA (June 2020)
• Washington Thespian Teacher In-Service Day, Rehearsal Scheduling, Blocking and Collaboration with Choreographers, Seattle, WA (October 2019)
• Washington Thespian Teacher In-Service Day, Improv, Seattle, WA (October 2019)
• Pacific Lutheran University PLUTO institute, Engaging Online Learners, Tacoma, WA (July 2018)
• Association of Theatre in Higher Education, The Capstone: Models, Missteps and Masterpieces, Las Vegas, NV (August 2017)
• Association of Theatre in Higher Education, Arts Management Curriculum, Chicago, IL (August 2016)
• Association of Theatre in Higher Education, Best Practices for Teaching Improvisational Comedy as a College Course or a Course Too, Chicago, IL (August 2016)
• Association of Theatre in Higher Education, Best Practices: Ideas, Exercises and Approaches for a Beginning Playwriting Course, Montreal, Canada (August 2015)
• Association of Theatre in Higher Education, Association of Theatre in Higher Education, Montreal, Canada (August 2015)
• Association of Theatre in Higher Education, Integrating New Plays and Playwrights into a University Season, Montreal, Canada (August 2015)
• NMSU College of Arts and Sciences, Adapting History to the Stage, Las Cruces, NM (February 2014)

Selected Articles

• "Charles Ludlam Lives! Charles Busch, Bradford Louryk, Taylor Mac, and the Queer Legacy of the Ridiculous Theatrical Company by Sean F. Edgecomb (book review)."." Theatre Journal 70.2 (2018): 267-68. 2018:
• "More than Games: Integrating Improvisation with Stanislavski Actor Training." METHODs 2016:
• "Long Form Improvisation and American Comedy: The Harold by Matt Fotis (book review)." Theatre Journal 68.2 (2016): 324-25. 2016:
• "Directing in Musical Theatre: An Essential Guide (book review)." SDC Journal Fall (2016): 52. 2016:
• "Craig Lucas." The Encyclopedia of Contemporary LGBTQ Literature 2008:
• "Charles Ludlam." The Encyclopedia of Contemporary LGBTQ Literature 2008:
• "Charles Busch." The Encyclopedia of Contemporary LGBTQ Literature 2008:
• "Thinking Inside the Box." Playscripts Blog
• "Broadway Musicals." The Nineties in America, Salem Press
• "Terrence McNally." The Nineties in America, Salem Press
• "Design for Living." The Nineties in America, Salem Press
• "Group Theatre." The Nineties in America, Salem Press

Accolades

• 2021 Faculty Excellence Award in Advising
• Winner: Hillsboro Artists Regional Theatre Page to Stage contest
• Official Selectant: 2019 The Scratch In-Pencil Staged Readings
• New Mexico State University Arts and Sciences Regents Professorship (2016)
• New Mexico State University Arts and Sciences Exemplar Award (2012)
• New Mexico State University Arts and Sciences Retention and Advising Award (2011)
• New Mexico State University Arts and Sciences Outstanding Faculty (2008)
• New Mexico State University Social Justice Award (2008)
• Robert J. Pickering Award for Excellence in Playwriting (Drinking Habits)
• ATHE PlayWorks Winner (for Gray)
• Orlin R. Corey Outstanding Regional Playwright for Children's Scripts

Professional Memberships/Organizations

• Dramatists Guild
• Stage Directors and Choreographer Society
• Association for Theatre in Higher Education

Biography

Interests

• Improvisation
• GLBTQ
• Coffee
• Finding the perfect 2-star chicken Pad Thai