was born in Omaha, NE to Rudolph and Llana Smith. Her father was a renowned photojournalist and her mother is a Christian playwright and drama director. From an early age, Q. had her eyes on the stage. Her first voice teacher, Phyllis Dunn, told Q. she had the potential to become a great opera singer, but Q. was more drawn to musical theatre. She attended Ithaca College and graduated as one of the first black females to earn a BFA in Musical Theatre.
Her background in classical music excited her with the possibility of one day performing alongside Broadway’s finest. Not seeing much black representation in the classical and legit musical theatre worlds, she began wondering what would be her fate? Of course there was Audra McDonald, one of her favorite actresses, but who else was doing it? Where were they? Had they even had the opportunities? So in 2001, her father proposed that she research and write a book about African American women in the theatre.
The book started with the intention of bringing awareness to unseen black actresses who were fighting to get into the audition room and have the opportunity to audition for racially non-specific roles. It was to bring to light non-traditional casting. However, as the years went by and as the interviews with over 100 women from all ethnic backgrounds became richer and deeper, the book shifted. This book was about diverse, real stories from women of color in all areas of theatre, television, and film. They shared their tools to success as well as their struggles; they entrusted Q. with secrets that have never been told.
This book inspires the next generation to do great things, not only with their artistry, but with their lives.
My goal is to help young girls who look like me (or not) aspire to greatness and to not take “NO” for an answer. Being an artist is one thing, but being an artist and woman of color is another. The women in my book have been there, done that and were my guides through the past 20 years, while I worked as a professional actress. I call them my friends, angels, and Queens of the Theatre.
Queens of the Theatre is a private look inside the lives of our leading ladies in theatre, television, and film. It is a book full of inspirational stories, professional advice, and also brings awareness to diverse opportunities in the business. Queens of the Theatre was written for the student, the up-and-coming artist, the agent, the casting director, the gypsy, the legend, and the theatergoer. It is a must read.