Personal Tribute Page

Raymond A. Smith was among the most original, generous and genuine people I have ever known. He was a brilliant professor, accomplished and multi-talented theatre practitioner, benevolent patron of the arts, and avid storyteller. I hope that many of you in the audie3nce had the privilege of knowing Ray in some small way. I'm much honored to have been a student and close friend of Ray's over the last twenty-four years and find it difficult that he is no longer a physical presence in my life. However, I'm comforted by the awareness that Ray's spirit is indomitable and will not remain quiet.

The greatest concept Ray ever taught me was to have joy in the theatre. Ray's life was consumed by the theatre and he delighted being a part of it. One of my fondest memories was being with Ray watching Gilbert & Sullivan's The Mikado at the Savoy Theatre in London. Ray began joyfully (and rather loudly) singing along, telling me in between the numbers his own experiences and times he had seen the play. Soon, our entire section of the audience was singing with Ray and listening closely to his stories. Ray loved an audience.

During all my years of producing theatre at Actors Guild, Ray never failed to be present during opening night performances. Seeing him sitting in the front row was as much a tradition as curtain calls and opening night receptions. I will never attend an opening night anywhere without looking to see if Ray is there.

Ray would be elated to know that The Santaland Diaries is dedicated to him and would exhibit a combination of humility and pride. I hope that above all, you will feel the thrill of being in the theatre, sharing in the dark a common experience. Allow yourselves to feel joy and know that a little bit of Ray follows you and always invites you back.

Deborah Martin
Director of Theatre, Berea College
Former Producer of Actors Guild of Lexington As a newcomer to the theatre and AGL, I had no idea who Raymond A. Smith was and, to be honest, I did not care. My story, however--and thankfully--does not end there....

In my second-ever-in-life play, I was about to debut on AGL's stage as Lena Younger in Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun . Scared--petrified may be a better adjective--almost to the point of tears, I gamely put on my "show face" and stepped onto stage to strut my stuff. After about the second snafu, I hit my stride and put on what I hoped was a memorable performance. After opening night's celebrations of champagne and well-wishers, I quietly slipped out the back door and was headed for my car.

Out of nowhere, this old man (I later considered him to be an "elderly gentleman") came running after me yelling for me to "Wait! I want to talk to you!"

Now...picture this: dark parking lot, cold night, locked car ( GOTTA get one of those electronic door openers!), no weapon nearby, I'm tired...and out of nowhere comes this maniac running toward me yelling that he wants to talk to me?? Yeah, right! Needless to say, I could have made quite a mess right on the spot! But before I could react, he was standing in my face, vigorously pumping my hand, and babbling something about how he enjoyed my performance! Well, heck, he could have said that inside...he didn't hafta scare me half to death! :)

As I may have mentioned before, I did not know Ray Smith and, after such an unforgettable introduction, I wasn't sure I wanted to know him! Nonetheless, I asked about him before the next evening's performance. I came to know of his love and support of theatre and, especially, the AGL. I realized that our undeniably memorable meeting was the result of an inner fervor, an intense and almost enviable zeal--one which kept him inside on that opening night, talking with anyone and everyone about anything and everything "theatre."

I received my very own "Smitty" on that cold, February 2001 night. Of course that was not the night of the actual award event. On that night, however, I shook hands with Mr. Raymond A. Smith--Professor Emeritus, AGL Member Emeritus, always-in-the-front-row-seat-on-opening-night critic/supporter/fan...and genuinely compassionate 'theatre-buff.'

- Freida Vinson