The Ooley Theatre is proud to host this one man show written and performed by Chris Smith. Two weekends only and it is a ride you want to take!
Join us May 17th - May 26th via in person or Live Stream.


ABOUT THE SHOW:
A one person show/journey through one artist’s cultural influences and nerdy bookworminess into the good, the bad and the ugly of the artistic temperament. Funny, tragic and with cited sources, Chris figures out how to deal with the wonderful and damaging parts of his artist’s brain then turns to his tribe of other artists in hopes that they can create art and stay sane.

Written and performed by Chris Smith
Directed by Atim Udoffia

Running time – Approx: 1 hour, 20 minutes / 80 minutes

WRITER/PERFORMER:
Chris Smith
Producer/Sound Designer/Dog Annoyer

Chris has found two hills he’ll die on after tragedy, therapy, reading and subsequently viewing his place in the world: helping with mental health in the arts and building better men. After years being in the wrong room, climbing the wrong ladder in Los Angeles, he’s decided to be what he is and write, perform and be content walking the path. He’s a Sacramento area performer and writer (amongst other things: the seventy-two-page resume is available upon request and Venmo’ing for the time to compile it). Despite his terrible jokes in their presence, he wants Atim Udoffia and Elise Hodge especially to know that they’re loved and thanked profusely. Dani Walsh, not loved yet but you’re growing on me. And one little lady that’s easing my mind and making me laugh. And many, many others who watched this thing in the early phases on couches and folding chairs, the journey of one is surprisingly packed with good people. His family, friends and a few necessary enemies also played a huge part in building him, he thanks them too. Also, Rando, Princess Miss Kitty and all the cows…except Darlene (she knows what she did).

DIRECTOR:
Atim Udoffia

Atim Udoffia keeps busy as an actor, director, health and wellness consultant, and mother of two working in theatre and film/video in the Sacramento and Bay Area. She recently directed DANNY AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA at Big Idea Theatre, as well as OTHELLO, NAP TIME, and CHARLIE AND NELL, for which she received a Best Director Award. Favorite stage roles include Emilie in EMILIE LA MARQUISE DU CHATELET DEFENDS HER LIFE TONIGHT (The Stage @ Burke Junction), Lady Macbeth (STC), Nina in THE ROYALE (Aurora Theatre Company), Angela in ZENITH (SF Playhouse), and Jory in DISGRACED (Capital Stage). Her film credits include the feature films No Address, Fairyland, and Where Sleeping Dogs Lie. Udoffia earned a BA in Human Biology from Stanford University before pursuing acting training in London and Los Angeles. Udoffia is grateful to Chris Smith for trusting her with his story, her children for their love and patience, and her tribe of family and friends for their unwavering support.

STAGE MANAGER:
Dani Walsh

Dani has recently returned to the stage both behind the scenes and on the stage. She worked The Ooley Theatre's production of LUNGS in 2023 behind the scenes as a stage manager. But more recently she was gracing The Ooley Theatre stage in our Women's Theatre Festival, as part of our production of STRING OF PEARLS. A phenom on and off the stage, we are lucky to have Dani come play with us!
PRODUCTION/SET BUILD/LIGHTING DESIGN:
Elise Hodge
Elise has spent over 15 years in the world of theater as a producer, director, actor, writer, set designer and builder, tech, costumer, lighting designer and all the other things you can think of which has led her to owning her own space, The Ooley Theatre which allows for local talent to come shine. She is pleased to have this one person show hit the stage for its debut from Chris Smith and to contribute to the staging and production. Providing a home for artists to share their work with audiences is a dream realized and she thanks you all for supporting the arts! To help keep The Ooley alive and kicking, please visit our donation page and contribute! Every little bit counts. :)