Jermaine Smith
"A Piece of Me" A Jermaine Smith Stageplay
How long have you been writing? What drove you to pick up that pen for the first time?
I can recall writing poems, melodies for songs, and short stories from as early as the age of eight.
Tell us about your staged production A Piece of Me. What was your involvement in the process, aside from writing it?
My involvement for A Piece of Me is from the top to the bottom. I currently am the sole financer for my projects, which includes producing the show(s), marketing, promoting; as well as, looking for venues/show dates. I also currently do the casting for the production(s). As of October 2009, I handed over the directorial duties to one the actors of A Piece of Me, Sharon "Aunt Vye" King.
How did you get from idea conception to writing and then producing A Piece of Me, time wise and financially?
The process of idea to conception was very easy for me because it was a matter of a stress free life or a life filled with resentment toward my mother and every other woman that stated they loved me. From sitting in church and growing tired of "faking it until I made it," I finally reached that breaking point. I needed to release all those years of hurt and pain that were trapped up inside of me. I found myself walking around as a hurt individual with no immediate sign of life getting better. I decided to address the situation by doing what I do best (writing). The process of producing A Piece of Me was not to difficult either because I just had to properly plan the spending of my personal job paychecks while funding my dream. I then applied that with the love, the prayers, and with any monetary help from the ones closest to me.
What is your goal when putting together a production?
My ultimate goal when putting together a production is to create a body of work that could hopefully introduce someone to their riches as I keep trying to introduce myself to my own. I also look to expand other individuals' thinking as I challenge mine.
Where does your inspirational creativity derive from?
My inspirational creativity comes solely from the pain. I always try to go mentally back to the years of witnessing my mother use crack-cocaine. I bring it all the way up to her present days of salvation. I generally tap into that source to remain true to myself, to mainly stay relevant and to help another individual who was/is either in my shoes or may/still be that substance abuser.
Who are your cast members?
My cast members are the greatest.., and when I say that, it's more so in reference to their spirit, their love for GOD, their passion for the stage/arts, and their honest commitment to this vision. You have Ms. Monique Andress (E. Stroudsberg, PA by way of East New York, Brooklyn) - This woman travels through two or more states to rehearse and perform. Mr. Steve Strickland (New Jersey) is one of the most diverse actors I have ever met. Steve has played as many as three characters in A Piece of Me. We also have Mr. Christian King (Harlem, NY) who not only is a 20-year-old ordained minister, but a great vocalist and radio co-host who has played four roles within A Piece of Me.
How outrageous have you made your main characters? How far do you stretch them?
My characters are snatched from everyday life, with little ingredients from the family, friends and people I encounter daily. So the stretch is very far because they are developed to be real from top to bottom.
How important is it to you that set designers adhere to your vision of the set?
I am currently the set designer, and luckily it is not too elaborate (So I'm listening to myself actually). I believe GOD is preparing to take us to that next level as a whole, so, I am focused and looking to the hills….
What is a typical work day like for you from start to finish?
A typical production starts with prayer, then me traveling to pick up a rental truck for the set, and/or a fifteen passenger van for the cast. Once the transportation is secured, me and my twelve-year-old son Kyree (who also acts in A Piece of Me) load up the set and head to the venue. Once the stage is set, we do a call-time check, fold a few programs, run through the show and double check the press/guest list; wardrobe change followed by SHOWTIME. Once the show is done, we all interact with the audience to share our thanks and make the experience more personal. The final portion of the show is to have a wrap up session on the show, strike the stage, and then we load the set back into the truck. "I always like to then look back at the seats to say "Thank you, God. Another show down."
What message do you want people to get from A Piece of Me?
I would love for people to leave from seeing A Piece of Me a different person from how they came. Basically, how they view some aspects of their life. The overall message of the stage play that is pushed is forgiveness. So as we have your attention for those two hours, we try to show that forgiveness is not for the other person, but that it is for you.
What are you reading now? What types of books (genres) do you read in general?
I last read Steve Harvey's book ("Act like a Lady/Think Like a Man"). But I am currently in my writing phase as to where I have no books around me, as I'm writing my latest stage play ("Cooking in Yesterday's Grease"). You would generally find me reading the notes from a church service, entertainment magazines, drama novels, newspapers, and some blogs.
What has been the driving force in your life?
The main driving force for me has been the reminder from God that this life or project is not about me. He has giving me a vehicle to help someone else (It is a heavy weight at times, but I've decided to let God use me). The purpose that remains for me with this production is to hope that my work talks to that family or to that person who had to live or struggle with substance abuse issues. Whether they are in the role as the child as I was, or possibly they are playing the parent like my mother. My son Kyree J. Smith is also definitely my
What contributed early in your career to your sense of what worked on stage and what didn't?
I personally just love to try new things in rehearsals and then see how it comes off. Sometimes that contribution is a hit, and sometimes it's a miss. But at the end of the day, I am one for growth with an actor and their character. I believe that if people are going to refer others, or consistently come back to your show for a second or third time, they deserve to see a better show this third time than the last two you just gave them! –That keeps the pressure on us as a team.
Can you tell us about any recent successes?
The greatest success thus far (feeling) is to see, and to know that you are connected to eighty plus individuals that turned over a new spiritual leaf through a theatrical production. The relief and satisfaction on people's faces as they leave the show is an incredible feeling to go home with. During the summer of 2009, this New York based production A Piece of Me won its first award ever by bringing home The Best Stage Play award from The HBG Gospel Awards in the state of Connecticut. Another great success that ties into this move of God has been the airing of a short documentary of myself (Winter 2009/10) on the Christian Broadcasting Network's show The 700 Club, which was filmed in my neighborhood East New York, Brooklyn.
What can we expect next from Jermaine Smith?
You can look for my upcoming production "Cookin' in Yesterday's Grease: A Jermaine Smith Stage Play" in early 2010, as well…hear me on SARFM Radio hosting "The Jay Everyday Show" every Wednesday 6pm-9pm Eastern as we share our inspirational thoughts, our comedic sides.
Ladies:
(Bottom row left to right)
Wendy Grissett, Jannie Stroman, Staxx Cordero, Sharon King, Okema Moore
(Middle Row left to right)
Star Davis, Martinque L. Moore, Melissa Dejesus, Monique Andress, Neyoka Wells
(Top row left to right)
Lenice Smith, Danielle Isaac, Tonica Vernon, Trevina Johnson, Glenda "Toni Steelz" Martinez
(Not pictured: Ta-Tanisha Pearson, Romayne Anderson, Angela Russell, Krystal Livingston, Giovanna Henson, Lisa Lee Joy Curry and Laura Lemons. )
Men:
(Bottom Row left to right)
Ron Bruce, Christian King, Kyree J. Smith, Richard Washington, Steve Strickland, Gary Moody, Christopher Orlando, and Don Lavan.
(Not pictured: Brandon Myers, Omar Moore, Karl Byrd, Damian Desiree and Frank Harris.)