Welcome to The Smiley Studio! Founded by teacher and trainer John Smiley.
John Smiley is the Head of Acting and the Director of Theatre at Christian Brothers High School in Memphis, Tennessee. He has also served as an Adjunct Faculty member at Southwest Tennessee Community College and the University of Memphis.
John has acted and directed across the United States and Canada. He has conducted workshops in the Michael Chekhov Technique, Grotowski, Viewpoints, and Suzuki at universities, high schools, and in private studios. As a performer John has worked at the La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club and 59E59 Theaters in New York City and served as one of the Co-Artistic Directors of the New York City based Monk Parrots Theatre Company.
John has trained in the Grotowski Technique with Stephen Wangh and Erica Fae (Acrobat of the Heart), Pig Iron Theatre Company (Journey of the Mask) in Philadelphia and the Rude Mechs (Devising/Physical Theatre) in Austin, Texas. He holds an MFA in Acting from The University of Texas at Austin and has completed the Teacher Training Program in the Michael Chekhov Acting Technique from the Michael Chekhov Association and is a certified teacher of the Michael Chekhov Acting Technique from the Great Lakes Michael Chekhov Consortium.
TESTIMONIALS.
We are Proud To Have john as part of our artistic family. John is a gifted teacher of the Michael Chekhov Technique and fills his work with Joy. anyone would be blessed to study with him.
Cathy Albers
Founding Artistic Director and Certified Teacher of the Michael Chekhov Technique,
Great Lakes Michael Chekhov Consortium
“Working with John is working with an artist full of play. It’s also working with an actor who fills the space with radiation and joy. His love for technique and his quest for deeper understanding in the field of acting is palpable.”
Geovonday Jones, Asst. Professor, Performance at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and Certified Michael Chekhov Teacher
“John Smiley is a true artist. His uplifting spirit gives tangible results through intangible means all the time. He is fun to work with both on and off stage; a child at heart with a radiant smile. If you want to learn the art of playing, go see John.”
Thorsteinn Bachmann, Professional Icelandic Film & Stage Actor, Teacher at the Icelandic Film School
“John is an imaginative and enthusiastic teacher of the Chekhov Technique. As he teaches he is fully in tune with his students and has a strong focus on joy in the work and encourages his students to go beyond what they believe they are capable of as creative artists.”
Lionel Walsh, Founding Artistic Director and Certified Teacher of the Michael Chekhov Technique, Great Lakes Michael Chekhov Consortium; Associate Professor, University of Windsor
“Working with John was a breath of fresh, creative air. Having no prior knowledge of Michael Chekov’s method, John made the work immediately accessible for me through clear and specific cues within guided exercises. These explorations allowed me to get out of my head, into my body, and find moments to release tension and self-critique. If you are looking for a welcoming and generous environment with thoughtful, expert instruction, don’t hesitate to take the next class or workshop from John!”
Lauren Gunn, Senior Resident Actor/Teaching-Artist with the Tennessee Shakespeare Co.
“Taking one of John’s Chekhov classes is an intensively rejuvenating experience. His ability to walk you through exercises without judgement or expectation allow for true exploration and experimentation. Incredibly down to earth and simply interested in the art and discovery make any project or class with John a breath of fresh air. I would recommend him to anyone.”
Parker Chase, Teaching Artist and Actress