Charles Smith

Charles Smith satirizes the amazing and ridiculous ways language evolves in the world premiere of My Arm is Up in the Air. With maze-like monologues, archival video, classical, pop, and folk music (performed live by Smith on hammered dulcimer, autoharp and bowed psaltery), Smith moves seamlessly through a send-up of a graduation speech, a fractured and drunken conversation between 2 former child actors, a tour through Seattle showered in nasty rhetoric, and a funeral service more incomprehensible than regular church.

Charles Smith has been an actor, director and designer in the Seattle theater scene for 20 years. His work has been seen in the 14/48 Theater Festival (receiving the Mazen Award), and with ensembles like The French Project and Greek Active. Smith is a classically trained musician now specializing in folk instruments.

Matthew Richter (director) is a producer, director, critic, author, arts entrepreneur, curator and furniture designer based in Seattle. My Arm is Up in the Air is the third production Matthew has directed for On the Boards, following 2010's WEST with the band "Awesome" and Dinner Theater: a history of art in 2006.

Performance Prospectus: A complete guide to Charles Smith [PDF]