When most people think of Stacey Smith they think of positivity. Unbridled. And while they're right, when I think of her that's the second thing I think of somehow behind determination and hard. fucking. work. Getting to work with her in Chicago was a masterclass in professionalism and drive. She just got back from the Copenhagen festival which you can tell was a top to bottom magical experience for everyone involved. Stacey tends to do that.
AS: How would you like to be described?
STACEY SMITH: As a corgi loving, funky love bucket.
AS: Where are you from? Where do you live? What do you consider home?
SS: I am from Patchogue (Long Island, New York). I currently live in Jamaica Plain, MA but i consider Chicago home.
AS: Me too! I think I always will. Life story in half a page, GO!
SS: I grew up on Long Island with two brothers. My mom is real tiny and cute. My dad is loud and real funny. My brothers and I are super close in age (all two years apart). My older brother an artist and my younger brother an athlete. I was the middle child and both an athlete and an artist. I played in the band, orchestra and was in every extra curricular that existed. Pursued Theater for a year at Pace University and wasn't satisfied so I went to school for Speech/Music close to home. Moved to Chicago to 2009 to pursue art. It wasn't always easy, but it always soothed me. Now I'm running the Comedy School at ImprovBoston - overseeing 500+ students, four programs and over 30 instructors.
AS: What do you consider your greatest accomplishment? Why?
SS: Creating SHE (Sisterhood. Humor. Empowerment). It felt so satisfying to create something that I was passionate about that actually positively affected students.
AS: What a beautiful program. What is your biggest failure? And what(if anything) did you learn from it?
SS:Not allowing myself to break free from abusive relationships. I don't know that I've learned yet.
AS: Describe your perfect day:
SS: Snuggled up in corgis, eating Panera Bread (and not having a dairy allergy) by the water.
AS: What is one of your fears?
SS: Water. I am so excited and thrilled by it, but at the same time so terrified by drowning and all the mysterious things below.
AS: Ohmygod yes! When I was young I got the movie Abyss for one of my birthdays. NEVER GOT OVER IT. Terrified by expansive water and space. What keeps you going every day?
SS: Positivity.
AS: Last piece of art that spoke to you?
SS: Seeing a Flamenco show in Barcelona.
AS: Tell us an embarrassing story:
SS: I shit my pants after eating two pot brownies while riding a bike.
AS: Bah hahahaha.Pump up song?
SS: All I Do Is Win
AS: What advice would you give to someone who is lost?
SS: Don't let anyone find you. Find yourself.
AS: Wow. Do you have a mantra or words to live by?
SS: Go big or go home.
AS: What do you struggle with?
SS: People that are hateful.
AS: What is success to you?
SS: Loving yourself and the things you're doing.
AS: What are you working on that you’re geeked out about?
SS: Stacejam. Musically improvising alone. Finding the music in a different way than I ever have.
AS: I can’t wait to see this.