Molly Smith is an American theatre director and the artistic director of Arena Stage in Washington, D.C.[1] from 1998 to 2023. During this period, she emphasized promoting new American plays, playwrights, and voices, producing 200 works. In addition, she helped originate 150 works by workshops and commissions at the Arena.
She also drove the development and design of a complex called The Mead Center for American Theater, completed in 2010. The project included renovations of the two existing theaters, and construction of a third theater, and related spaces to bring all functions to the site. With this, Arena became the largest regional theater in Washington and second to the Kennedy Center.
In 1979 Smith had founded the Perseverance Theatre in her home town of Juneau, Alaska, soon after completing her master's in theatre at American University. She led the theatre company as artistic director until 1998. In addition to building audience and community through established works, she directed several world premieres of new works by rising American playwrights.[2]
Biography
Born and raised in a theater family in Juneau, Alaska, Smith moved to the Lower 48 for college and graduate school. She attended Catholic University (Washington, D.C.),[3] and received a master's degree in 1978 in theatre from American University.
In 1998, Smith returned to Washington when she was selected as Artistic Director of Arena Stage.[4] Her emphasis has been on encouraging production of American plays, from both established and new playwrights, encouraging new voices by developing writers through commissions and workshops, and focusing on American stories. Her innovations have increased not only the range of playwrights and artists, but resulted in more diverse audiences for Arena Stage.
She founded Arena's "downstairs series," which has held readings and workshopped some 60 plays, many of have later received full productions. Through the Power Plays initiative, from 2016 to 2024 Arena has commissioned 25 new plays related to American history.
Smith has served as Literary Adviser to the Sundance Theatre Lab.[6] She formed the Arena Stage Writers Council in partnership with Georgetown University.[7] The Council is composed of leading American playwrights and promotes development. Smith brings artists of international renown to the Arena. She is a member of the Board of the Theatre Communications Group, as well as the Center for International Theatre Development.
She has also directed two feature films. Raven's Blood (1997) was adapted from the mystery novel, Death of an Alaskan Princess, by Bridget Smith, and filmed in Juneau.[1] A major community effort, it featured many local actors and extras.[1] She also directed Making Contact (1999).
In 2014 Smith married her longtime partner, Suzanne Blue Star Boy, in a ceremony officiated by Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. They had met in Alaska. The ceremony was held in the Kogod Cradle of the Arena's complex, with the reception on the outdoor terrace and in the rehearsal hall.[8]
Legacy and honors
Smith led the development of Arena Stage as a center for new American plays, artists, and voices. Some 200 works were produced, including by established American playwrights. She directed many new works, and invited diverse actors and directors to participate in productions. Some 150 works were originated in readings, workshops and related initiatives at the Arena Stage. From 2016 to 2024, a total of 25 plays have been commissioned related to American history. The Mead Center for American Theater, completed in 2010, is one of her legacies.
Smith has received Honorary Doctorates from Towson and American universities.
She organized a march on the National Mall for gun control on January 26, 2013.
