New York Minute – Jermaine Smith115 Comments

Jermaine “Jay Everyday” Smith – The voice of the future coming to stage near you!


As an actress, I have the blessed fortune of meeting some amazing writers, directors, fellow actors and just all around dope creative individuals. One such person is Mr. Jermaine Smith. Hailing from East New York (Brooklyn), Jay is a writer, actor and radio personality here in NYC. But he’s definitely no local-yokel!

I met Jay on Facebook about two years ago as he was promoting and pushing his play “A Piece of Me.” Knowing that I was looking for a new project to join, I asked to come check out the play and he was gracious enough to invite me down, comp me and walk me into his world through his play.

I laughed, I definitely cried and I was incredibly moved. The cast was pretty good, with a few stand-out stars, the premise was very familiar to me and it just read as real and genuine.

We all know that Tyler Perry has opened the door for independent playwrights and the “every day” actor to have a chance to be involved in something great. He made the world take notice of the local/regional level of Urban Theatre. Though their stories have some similarities, Jay is doing this on a whole new level in that he is adding a younger feel and a more contemporary perspective to the mix.

I got up with Jay and we got down to the nitty-gritty of how he started, why and where he’s going from here…


XI: How did you first discover that you could write?

My most memorable moment goes as far back to the age of nine or ten for me. That is where I would regularly find myself weekly with a therapist discussing my vivid writings about life as I viewed it.

XI: Why plays as opposed to other facets of writing like novels, films, poetry?

I am originally a songwriter. The stage plays are just the beginning for me, and I am definitely looking into turning my plays into books for all.

XI: What was your family life like? How did that impact what type of plays you would write?

My family life was non-existent; due to my father’s early demise along with my mothers’ twenty-seven year substance abuse, addiction has played a significant part in the broken structure. My writings are impacted by the constant reminder of the pain in my past and the GOD given ability to survive that past is one of the greatest sources for me to write.

XI: How would you describe your plays? What genre would you categorize them under?

I describe my stage plays as Thought Provoking, Reality-Based, Edutainment for all. The best category that could describe my work is, Inspirational.

XI: Who is/was your biggest influence?

My biggest influence will always be GOD. The individuals that I keep my eyes and ears on are Bishop Noel Jones, Steve Harvey, Oprah Winfrey and Jay-Z; everyday people who are surviving and thriving. As well as the small inner circle of friends/cast members that I am connected with.

XI: What type of press coverage/exposure have you been getting as a result of your shows?

We have gotten minimal press thus far, but very favorable coverage nonetheless. We as a team have frequented many NY & CT college radio stations to promote and interview, along with write-ups in local newspapers from Orlando, Fl. To East Stroudsburg, PA. and Syracuse, NY.

XI: What to date, has been your greatest achievement with your plays?

The greatest achievement thus far has to be the 80 souls that have publicly turned over a new spiritual leaf by giving their life to Christ at the shows, along with winning the 2009 HBG Award for Best Stageplay (CT) for “A Piece of Me”.

XI: Have you worked with any notable folks/venues?

To date I have worked with several actors that are definitely the stars of tomorrow. My stage play “A Piece of Me” has performed at several notable venues, such as “Crossroads Theatre” (New Brunswick, NJ), “The Shawnee Playhouse” (East Stroudsburg, PA.), “The Playhouse on the Green” (Bridgeport, CT), and the Off-Broadway venue “The Producer’s Club” (NY, NY)

And this was all due to me searching for the next big venue and my desire to build the resume. All of this helps me to work the region by spreading the vision and the message.

XI: What are the challenges of being an independent playwright?

For me as an independent, the challenges are solely financial and acquiring sponsorship. Being the sole financier, I have to prepare for the shows that help finance the dream, most time either breaking even or taking a loss.

XI: How has your faith affected your writing and your life since you began this journey of being a playwright?

My faith plays 95% of the part, because there are many days when I consider not producing another show or completing a play that I have started writing. But I stand on the fact that God has created and prepared me to do this so I keep going and P.U.S.H.ing (Praying Until Something Happens)

XI: Do you feel that it’s better to do it all yourself? (Write/Direct/Produce/Act)

I definitely feel that it’s good to do what you’re best at, as well as to delegate some duties. I myself choose to let the actors act, and I stay in my sweet spot of writing, producing and directing.

XI: How do you create and develop your characters?

I create my characters by using my family, friends, people I see on the train, and of course my imagination.

XI: If you could work with ANY actor/actress…who would it be and why?

I would preferably like to help break new stars; to let the world know that they exist. Now my wish list definitely has Viola Jackson (Doubt, Antwone Fisher), Rosalyn Sanchez (Rush Hour 2), Gary Sturgis (Daddy’s Little Girls), Kevin Spacey, Meryl Streep and Denzel Washington.

XI: What are your thoughts on Tyler Perry and the comments that Spike Lee made regarding his brand of theater and stories…as some of his aesthetics are quite similar to your own?

I believe that everyone is entitled to their opinion, and Tyler’s vision is Tyler’s vision, just as Spike has his own. The comparisons that I get on my work being just as good as Tyler is an ultimate compliment to me. From what I have read and heard Tyler speak on, the road to success was not easy and I applaud his faithfulness and tenacity.

XI: What is Jermaine the Man about…aside from the plays and the stage?

“Jermaine the man is a complex man drawn off of simplicity.. (Lol)” I can say I’m a man that is coming into his own; as a person, son and father. Just constantly looking to build on my relationship with GOD.

XI: What can we expect next from J. Smith?

Right now I’m just living in expectation of what GOD has next for us all. I’m patiently waiting for the showing of a filmed documentary segment that will air on the Christian Broadcasting Network’s “The 700 Club” during the month of February. The piece is on me, my company and my faith journey. I’m definitely excited about the continued demand for “A Piece of Me”, and the anticipation from my family, friends as well as those that have previewed my prior work to see my new stage play “Cooking in Yesterday’s Grease” which will debut in NY on February 12th.


As you can read, Jay is definitely focused and determined to show the world what he’s got. I respect his hustle and know from experience, that the grind will pay off. His determination to give local actors the opportunity to shine is commendable and I’m sure that we will hear his name much more in the years to come.

For those citiXIns in NYC that are looking for something to do this V-day weekend, check
out the flyer for his newest production, Cooking In Yesterday’s Grease:

Cooking in Yesterday’s Grease revolves around the relationships (or lack there of) that Carter James has with his live in girlfriend Dream, his over-protective Aunt Vye, and the reemergence of his mother Lucinda. Carter’s constant efforts to keep putting a comma where GOD has placed a period, keeps him Cooking in Yesterday’s Grease.

FRI FEB 12TH
FAITH ASSEMBLIES OF GOD
1014 GATES AVE.
7:15PM

SAT FEB 13TH
OBERIA D. DEMPSEY CTR.
127 W. 127TH ST.
7:15PM

Starring: Steve Strickland, Staxx Cordero, Martinique, Allen Jenkins, Dre Foreman, Glenda “Toni Steelz” Martinez, Jelani Maleeq, Jonathan Robinson III, and Sharon “Aunt Vye” King.

For more information, email jsmithstageplays@gmail.com.

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