Wallace F. Smith Speaks at Detroit Repertory Theatre Tonight

Michigan's longest running, non-profit, professional theatre, the Detroit Repertory Theatre will hold its Annual Black Tie Awards Night and Homecoming Celebration and Performance tonight, November 15, 2014 at 6:30 PM. The Black Tie is the Annual Major Fundraiser for the Theatre. Funds raised at the benefit go to the Theatre's Working Capitol Fund. The Fund is used to help the Theatre meet financial obligations in a timely and efficient manner and help set the table for the generations ahead.

The Detroit Repertory Theatre's artistic commitment and accomplishments help keep Detroit's rebirth active and alive. The Annual Black Tie Homecoming unites past Detroit Repertory Theatre artists and actors, ??loyal patrons of the Theatre and civic minded Citizens who value the Detroit Rep's contributions to the cultural life of Metropolitan Detroit in an effort to bring hope to the community, vitality to the city and a promise of a future for the City of Detroit and the Detroit Repertory Theatre.

The Detroit Repertory Theatre is pleased to announce Sponsors of the Black Tie are Quicken Loans, MGM Grand Detroit, UAW Region 1A, St. John Providence Health System, Health Alliance Plan of Michigan, Domino's Pizza, Greektown Casino and FirstMerit Bank.

Individual tickets are $75 and include a champagne and hors d'hoeuvres reception followed by a ceremony hosted by Mistress of Ceremonies, noted TV Host and Author, Amyre Makupson. Noted Humanitarian and Theatre Entrepreneur, Wallace F. Smith will give a keynote speech about the importance of the arts and legacy of the Detroit Repertory Theatre, followed by the annual presentation of awards given to the Best Artists of the 13/14 Season as voted by the Theatre's Subscribers. The evening will feature a presentation of the first play of the Rep's 58th Season, the World Premiere comedy BUZZ by Richard Strand. The night winds down with a Champagne and Dessert Afterglow in the Lobby Gallery with the Detroit Rep's Artists of the past, present and future.

Black Tie is Optional. Tickets for the special evening may be purchased by calling the Box Office at (313) 868-1347 with a Visa or MasterCard, with no surcharge. The Detroit Repertory Theatre is located in the geographical heart of Detroit at 13103 Woodrow Wilson, Detroit MI 48238. Parking is attended, adjacent, fenced-in and free. More information may be found on the Rep website: detroitreptheatre.com

For many years, Wallace F. Smith was active in the professional theatre and film world as an Actor, Director and Producer and was a member of the Actor's Equity Association, Screen Actor's Guild and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. He has appeared in scores of film and theatre productions.

He was a Hilberry Fellow in the Hilberry Theatre's inaugural season at Wayne State University where he completed his Master of Arts degree.

In addition, he wrote, produced, directed and performed in a Chamber Theatre production that toured the world. It was simply known as Wallace Smith Productions. It was an entertaining production for all ages and demographics, and included in its subtext aspects of conflict resolution, problem solving and positive value building. Truly a "Peace - Love" project. The estimated performances with this company numbered somewhere between 2 and 3 thousand.

The seed for this extensive project was gratefully discovered at the Detroit Repertory Theatre.

Now in semi-retirement, Wallace is a Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Communication and taught Interpersonal Communication, Public Speaking, Film, Video and Theatre at Oakland Community College in Auburn Hills, MI. In 1983 the Theatre at the Orchard Ridge Campus of Oakland Community College was dedicated in his honor. It is now known as the Wallace F. Smith Performing Arts Theatre.

For many years, Wallace has been facilitating workshops internationally (recently in France, Poland, Scotland, Hawaii, Crete, England and the USA) in Interpersonal Communication, Conflict Management, beginning and advanced seminars in a bioenergetic healing modality as well as a series entitled, "A Celebration of Healing.....Awaken the Flow," and his stellar and life changing seminar on ... Listening.

He is an Ordained Minister with the World Congregational Fellowship Church, and is a certified instructor with the International Network for Esoteric Healing, the Institute for Bioenergy Studies and the National Association for Esoteric Healing.

Written by native Michiganian Richard Strand, BUZZ is a World Premiere comedy about a lecherous CEO and his wily Stock Clerk. "If you want to know what's going down in any company in America just ask the stock clerk." Ryan Hutchings, CEO of Hutchings Enterprises, Inc. has gotten himself into some legal trouble over a woman. No problem, he'll just inveigle his stock clerk to bail him out. So he buzzes his stock clerk, Buzz. Who else? The fun begins. Mr. Hutchings' cover has some hidden holes and Buzz is dumb like a fox. The combination clearly demonstrates how to succeed in business with a little bit of spying.
Directed by Harry Wetzel (DEARBORN HEIGHTS) and featuring local professional actors Wayne David Parker (DEARBORN), Dan Johnson (ANN ARBOR), Rita Monpetit Liegl (BEVERLY HILLS) and Kennikki Jones (DETROIT).

The oldest professional (Union) non-profit theatre in the State of Michigan, the Detroit Repertory Theatre's mission is guided by the belief that the sense of community is stronger than the forces that splinter and that efforts to preserve unity deserve the same attention and support as the justly cultivated efforts to retain diversity. The implicit goal in all the theatre's efforts is to produce the best possible professional theatre while fostering cultural democratization of the arts, and fighting by example, the disturbing level of racism that still exists.

Detroit Repertory Theatre is located in the geographical heart of the city at
13103 Woodrow Wilson, Detroit, MI 48238
Parking is Attended, Adjacent, Fenced-In and Free.
(313) 868-1347
www.detroitreptheatre.com