There is a certain magic about bringing a character to life off of paper and on to the stage, to imitate life and human interaction in front of large crowds that are paying for you to entertain them, to be able to live in that character’s world no matter what turmoil may be happening around you.
It’s a magic that requires a natural, built-in, talent that very few people possess and even fewer learn to master.
And Jonathan Smith, a senior and Advanced Production student here at Bob Jones High School, is one of these few people who has learned to wield the magic that lies behind acting.
Smith has been acting his whole life, having said to have been in well over 100 productions. “I was on stage in my mother’s womb,” he says. “It’s been a lifelong thing, and I have always loved the feel of performing, of having all these waiting eyes looking up at you as you entertain them.”
And he doesn’t plan on letting his acting career stop at the high school level. Smith will be pursuing a career in film acting once he’s graduated, or any other acting jobs that come along the way. But in the mean time, Smith has taken a large part in the BJHS theater department, growing and learning in his craft.
“Jonny has grown a lot during his run in BJHS drama,” says the Advanced Production director at Bob Jones, Mr. B. Dwayne Craft. “He really is proof that with a little talent and a lot of hard work anyone can become a lead in our program. His love of theater and acting shows every time he steps on stage, and I am proud of him.”
And Smith’s peers can agree that his hard work shows through on the stage. “The impression he leaves on the stage is not one that’s easily ignored,” says Smith’s long-time friend and Advanced Production cast mate Micah Smith. “You can really tell he just pours everything he has into a character and is amazing at switching in and out of characters.”
Tori Lewis, a senior at Bob Jones High School and regular audience member for Advanced Production’s shows, says, “Jonny is extremely talented, professional, exuberant, outgoing, and a little bit intimidating. I saw him in ‘The Last Illusion’ and he pretty much blew me away. His acting is phenomenal.”
“I’ve known Jonny for two years and every minute has been another adventure,” says Chris Gunner, another one of Smith’s cast mates. “From learning from him in ‘The Perfect Ending,’ to sharing the stage with him in ‘The Last Illusion,’ every experience has been a blast!”
Acting isn’t Smith’s only talent though. He is also a break-dance and hip-hop dancer, a singer, has been trained in fencing and stage fighting, and has been involved with gymnastics and parkour.
“’Nike, just do it!’ That’s literally his catch phrase,” explains Micah Smith, who has also joined Smith in his gymnastic endeavors. “Being someone who likes to consider each move logically, it’s great to have such a good friend who always pushes me to try something new! I mean, just look at it! How many people really know what parkour is? It’s unique and different, which basically sums up our relationship.”
Though he is working on several projects at the moment, such as a YouTube series he co-wrote with and will be co-starring in with another fellow cast mate and Bob Jones senior and working regularly as an extra on the set of the awarding winning, ABC TV show “Nashville,” Smith’s main concern in his acting career is leading his cast to the Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC) in Mobile, Ala., in their original one-act play, “The Last Illusion” by B. Dwayne Craft. Smith is starring in the show as Harry Houdini, the great magician whose name is known across the country for his daring and astounding illusions.
“This has by far been my favorite role I’ve ever had the honor of portraying. Everyday is an adventure with this character and I absolutely love it,” Smith explains.
While Smith has a ways to go and a lot of challenges ahead of him, he’s ready and willing to take them head on.
“It’s always scared me that I’m going into this industry so late in the game, since so many actors seem to have gotten their big break in their earlier years. People can tell you how talented you are all they want, but when you’re auditioning with 100 other people who all want the exact same role, the industry’s waiting there to knock you down. But it’s what I love, more than anything. So, with the support of my friends and especially my family, I’m going to keep trying.”
Smith’s family, friends, cast and class mates, and many others wish him the best, whether it be on stage or screen.
They hope he never stops creating magic.
