Gem Theatre Announces New Artistic Director, Elaine (Hendriks) Smith

Elaine (Hendriks) Smith has been named artistic director of The Gem & Century Theatres, President Jim Forbes announced today. The appointment was effective May 17, 2010.

Smith is no stranger to The Gem & Century Theatres. A member of the Actors' Equity Association, Smith served as stage manager for Say Goodnight Gracie, A Forbidden Broadway Christmas and The Marvelous Wonderettes at The Gem Theatre, and stage manager for Comedy Works with The Guild at The Century Theatre. Previously, Smith was deputy director of Matrix Theatre Company in Southwest Detroit, for which she produced To Kill a Mockingbird and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest with as part of Matrix's Inclusive Theatre Initiative.

Smith is the creator of the Junior Camp for Roeper Summer Stock Theatre, for which she directs two musicals with children ages 8 - 11 every summer. In the last year, she has directed Something Called America at Detroit Box Fest and served as lighting designer for The Jewish Ensemble Theatre Company, Mosaic Youth Theatre, Meh-Day Theatre, Detroit School for the Arts and Studio LumumbA. Smith also served as production manager and lighting designer for Say Goodnight Gracie in Philadelphia, and is currently PowerPoint designer for The Male Intellect: An Oxymoron now touring nationally.

The Historic Gem & Century Theatres are located at 333 Madison Avenue, Detroit, MI 48226. www.gemtheatre.com.