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J.G. Smith was a rising theatre star in her hometown of Chicago when she came to international attention as the teenage Joanna Kitzmiller in Jennifer Reeder's Knives and Skin (2019). With a world premiere at Berlinale, a U.S. premiere at TriBeCa, and a Chicago premiere at CIFF, J.G.'s complicated, smart, vulnerable, hilarious performance (her feature film debut) was acclaimed by critics such as Stephen Dalton at The Hollywood Reporter and Richard Roeper at the Chicago Sun-Times.
Since then, J.G. has gone on to prove her chops with a rapidly growing resume that includes work with even more notable directors like David Schwimmer, Stephen Cone, and WarnerMedia150 Fellow Jim Vendiola, as well as an actor's approach rooted in a keen intelligence and a deep respect for truth in storytelling. Her roles and genres run the gamut, from classic literary heroines (Alice in Wonderland, Molly Aster, Catherine Earnshaw) to actual historical heroines (Joan of Arc, Mary Shelley, Emily Bronte); from disturbing thrillers (Knives and Skin, Argus, On Clover Road) to holiday pageantry (It's A Wonderful Life, A Christmas Carol); from Shakespeare (Romeo and Juliet, As You Like It) to contemporary plays by America's hottest writers (Inanimate, I and You, Plantation!) to commercials for Andre Champagnes, CLR Products, and Cannabist.
J.G. also works as an award-winning performance artist, whose live and digital pieces use DIY-style spectacle to explore isolation and connection in an increasingly online world. Their pieces have shown at Chicago Fringe Festival, TheTankNYC, Maine's Theater Project, TransVisions, Williamsburg Circus, NOLA's Hell Yes Fest, Salonathon Chicago, and the streets of New York City.
J.G. is proud to be an Ensemble Member with Chicago's American Blues Theater and an Associate Artist with Brooklyn-based art incubator Undiscovered Countries.
J.G. is repped by Paonessa Talent. AEA, SAG-AFTRA-eligible. jgsmithactor.com
Since then, J.G. has gone on to prove her chops with a rapidly growing resume that includes work with even more notable directors like David Schwimmer, Stephen Cone, and WarnerMedia150 Fellow Jim Vendiola, as well as an actor's approach rooted in a keen intelligence and a deep respect for truth in storytelling. Her roles and genres run the gamut, from classic literary heroines (Alice in Wonderland, Molly Aster, Catherine Earnshaw) to actual historical heroines (Joan of Arc, Mary Shelley, Emily Bronte); from disturbing thrillers (Knives and Skin, Argus, On Clover Road) to holiday pageantry (It's A Wonderful Life, A Christmas Carol); from Shakespeare (Romeo and Juliet, As You Like It) to contemporary plays by America's hottest writers (Inanimate, I and You, Plantation!) to commercials for Andre Champagnes, CLR Products, and Cannabist.
J.G. also works as an award-winning performance artist, whose live and digital pieces use DIY-style spectacle to explore isolation and connection in an increasingly online world. Their pieces have shown at Chicago Fringe Festival, TheTankNYC, Maine's Theater Project, TransVisions, Williamsburg Circus, NOLA's Hell Yes Fest, Salonathon Chicago, and the streets of New York City.
J.G. is proud to be an Ensemble Member with Chicago's American Blues Theater and an Associate Artist with Brooklyn-based art incubator Undiscovered Countries.
J.G. is repped by Paonessa Talent. AEA, SAG-AFTRA-eligible. jgsmithactor.com
THE LATEST:
October 26, 2024:
J.G. played Rhoda Katz Nedwick in the Chicago premiere of Dear Rhoda, a beautiful true-love tale and love letter to 1920s Chicago, based on the Newberry Library's collection of Jerry Nedwick's correspondence.
Adapted by Donna Russell, David Ranney, and Peter Garino. Directed by Peter Garino.
J.G. played Rhoda Katz Nedwick in the Chicago premiere of Dear Rhoda, a beautiful true-love tale and love letter to 1920s Chicago, based on the Newberry Library's collection of Jerry Nedwick's correspondence.
Adapted by Donna Russell, David Ranney, and Peter Garino. Directed by Peter Garino.
October 2-26, 2024:
J.G. was so happy to return to The Last Wide Open at American Blues Theater, reprising The Stagehand in the remount of this critically acclaimed play-with-music for Polish-American Heritage Month.
J.G. was so happy to return to The Last Wide Open at American Blues Theater, reprising The Stagehand in the remount of this critically acclaimed play-with-music for Polish-American Heritage Month.
September 16, 2024:
J.G. made a fourth appearance with Back Room Shakespeare Project as Valentine/Officer in Twelfth Night!
J.G. made a fourth appearance with Back Room Shakespeare Project as Valentine/Officer in Twelfth Night!
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July 5-August 18, 2024:
J.G. is back at American Blues performing as The Stagehand in the Chicago premiere of Audrey Cefaly's The Last Wide Open!
J.G. is back at American Blues performing as The Stagehand in the Chicago premiere of Audrey Cefaly's The Last Wide Open!
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"the performances (including J.G. Smith as a stagehand who Cameron’s Lina describes at one point as “the nurse to my Juliet”—leading to a perfectly timed wordless reaction from Smith) carry us through with warmhearted charm." - Kerry Reid, Chicago Reader
"J.G. Smith was amazing as the silent stagehand." - Rick McCain, Let's Play Theatrical Reviews
"There is a silent third character referred to as “Stagehand”, confidently played by J.G. Smith" - Karen Topham, ChicagoOnStage
"J.G. Smith was amazing as the silent stagehand." - Rick McCain, Let's Play Theatrical Reviews
"There is a silent third character referred to as “Stagehand”, confidently played by J.G. Smith" - Karen Topham, ChicagoOnStage
June 2024:
J.G. was thrilled to appear with Back Room Shakespeare Project for a third time this year, this time playing Biondello in The Taming of the Shrew at Color Club Chicago!
J.G. was thrilled to appear with Back Room Shakespeare Project for a third time this year, this time playing Biondello in The Taming of the Shrew at Color Club Chicago!
May 2024:
J.G. played the lead in They've Moved On, a 2-shot experimental short written, directed, and photographed by Daniel John Harris.
J.G. played the lead in They've Moved On, a 2-shot experimental short written, directed, and photographed by Daniel John Harris.
March 22 - May 4:
J.G. was so pleased and honored to play the lead role of Erica Grillo in the Chicago premiere of Nick Robideau's funny, sweet, weird, gentle play Inanimate at Theater Wit.
J.G. was so pleased and honored to play the lead role of Erica Grillo in the Chicago premiere of Nick Robideau's funny, sweet, weird, gentle play Inanimate at Theater Wit.
"played to perfection by J.G. Smith" - Around the Town Chicago
"Smith’s depiction of Erica is perfect; awkward and vulnerable when need be but later with a level of hurt and anger that elevates the entire production"
- Newcity Chicago
- Newcity Chicago
Graphic by Noelle Harrison
March 4:
J.G. was thrilled to make a sophomore showing with Back Room Shakespeare Project as The Queen in Richard II.
J.G. was thrilled to make a sophomore showing with Back Room Shakespeare Project as The Queen in Richard II.
Graphic by Collin Quinn Rice
Winter 2023-2024:
January 22:
J.G. was overjoyed to inaugurate American Blues Theater's The Commons series as Frannie in Gloria Majule's UHURU.
J.G. was overjoyed to inaugurate American Blues Theater's The Commons series as Frannie in Gloria Majule's UHURU.
Graphic by Elyse Dolan
January 15:
J.G. debuted with Back Room Shakespeare Project as Emilia, Mopsa, and the Foley designer for The Winter's Tale!
J.G. debuted with Back Room Shakespeare Project as Emilia, Mopsa, and the Foley designer for The Winter's Tale!
Graphic by Kate Romond
December 8-31:
J.G. celebrated another year with American Blues Theater's annual holiday show It's A Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!
J.G. celebrated another year with American Blues Theater's annual holiday show It's A Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!
Photo by Michael Brosilow
"Bedford Falls and all its memorable inhabitants are brought to vivid life...with an indispensable assist from J.G. Smith's prolific foley skills" -
Chicago Sun-Times
"American Blues ensemble member J.G. Smith, who has appeared on stages all over Chicagoland, is once again at the top of her game as the Foley artist" - Chicago Theatre Review
"Sound effects, such as shattering glass, wind gusts and the bells that signify another angel getting its wings, are adeptly created by foley artist J.G. Smith" - Chicago Culture Authority
Chicago Sun-Times
"American Blues ensemble member J.G. Smith, who has appeared on stages all over Chicagoland, is once again at the top of her game as the Foley artist" - Chicago Theatre Review
"Sound effects, such as shattering glass, wind gusts and the bells that signify another angel getting its wings, are adeptly created by foley artist J.G. Smith" - Chicago Culture Authority
