Upcoming . . .
James will be making his debut at the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey located on the campus of Drew University in Madison, NJ (coincidentally, where James spent the first year of his undergrad). He will be a member of the ensemble of their upcoming production of A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder. Performances will take place May 15-June 9, 2024. Click here for more info.
James will be marking his directorial debut with Light Opera of New Jersey and their upcoming production of Seussical. Rehearsals begin June 18th in Basking Ridge, NJ with four performances at the Rosen Theatre in Wayne, NJ August 9-11, 2024.
Auditions will take place on April 27, please check LONJ's website for more information.
stay tuned for updates on both these exciting projects!
Stage & Music Directing, Production Design
In early January, James accepted a position at Villa Walsh Academy (Morristown, NJ) as the stage and music director for their 2024 spring musical Seussical. This marks his music directorial debut and is his first time working with high school students. As stage director, James will also be responsible for designing (and helping to realize) the set, the lighting, and the costumes/wigs. The show will have three performances in mid-March with a cast of 20 mostly high school and middle school age girls. He would like to thank the choreographer, Mrs. R. Lanni, for considering him for this position; she taught at his high school and choreographed the last three of his high school musicals.
You can purchase tickets at the door or online by clicking here.
RECENT . . .
Leap Day 2024: Pour, oh, pour the pirate sherry
"For some ridiculous reason, to which, however, I’ve no desire to be disloyal, some person in authority - I don’t know who - very likely the Astronomer Royal has decided that, although for such a beastly month as February, twenty-eight days as a rule are plenty, one year in every four his days shall be reckoned as nine and twenty..."
Happy 168th/42nd Birthday, Frederic!
The encore of James' senior voice recital at Montclair State University in February 2014 featuring Steven Ryan (piano) and members of The Young Artists' Initiative founded by James the Fall of the previous year.
Thank you for Voting!
Light Opera of New Jersey's production of A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER was nominated for the 2023 BroadwayWorld New Jersey Awards!
James was nominated for Best Performer in a Musical for his portrayal of The D'Ysquith Family. Although he didn't win, he did break 1% which - for this popularity contest - is an achievement! Thank you for voting and your support.
ELF
The Musical
STUDIO 691
Dec. 8-10, 2023
James played the eponymous Buddy the elf in four performances of ELF in December 2023 fulfilling not just a Christmas wish but one of his all-time dream roles!
A Celebration of the Stage: Opera to Broadway
LIGHT OPERA OF NEW JERSEY
October 8, 2023 at St. Mark's Episcopal Church
LIGHT OPERA OF NEW JERSEY'S gala concert to open their 2023-2024 season showcased James alongside Troy Cook, Gemma Nha, Cesar Andres Parreno, and Karen Delavan with a program of operatic classics and Broadway favorites. James sang from Die Tote Stadt, Disney's Beauty and the Beast, and A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder. James sang from
WORKING
the musical
September 16, 2023 at the Oakside Bloomfield Cultural Center
James appeared as Man 3 in Skyline Theatre Company's presentation of Working the musical as part of their Broadway in Concert Series directed by Sam Scalamoni.
A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder
July 15-23, 2023 at SOPAC
The Light Opera of New Jersey presented Steven Lutvak’s and Robert Freedman’s Tony Award-winning operetta A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder. James played the role of The D'Ysquith Family: one actor plays the eight heirs to the D'Ysquith fortune, each murdered so that Monty Navarro can become Earl of Highhurst. LONJ presented GGLAM at South Orange Performing Arts Center in South Orange, NJ.
Review by Jacqueline Parker
"In the charming hamlet of South Orange, NJ, which in addition to some charming shopping and notable architecture, boasts the South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC), where yesterday we enjoyed A Gentleman‘s Guide to Love & Murder, the award-winning musical from several years ago by Steve Lutvak and Robert L. Freedman. With fond memories of the original still vivid in my mind, I was delighted to see a cast of lively professionals deliver performances worthy of Broadway. The cast of ten nimbly scampered through this hilarious piece with dexterity and aplomb, skillfully directed by Joseph Hayward. Keep your eyes open for James C. Smith and Joey Nasta, the two male leads, whose talent we’re sure to see here before long."
Highlights Reel: James Conrad Smith as The D'Ysquith Family. Recorded July 23, 2023 at South Orange PAC. Light Opera of New Jersey presents A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER; directed by Joseph Hayward; musical direction by Griffin Strout; choreography by Matthew Lynady; executive produced by Jason Tramm. Featuring Joey Nasta (Monty Navarro), Gabriella Giangreco (Evangeline Barley "Poison in my Pocket"), and Lauren Rathburn (Lady D'Ysquith).
For more info about Recent musicals, please click here!
Thanks for visiting!
Would you like to get in touch?
You can use the dialogue box and submit a question or email me.