Smart People

About the Play

Staged in our intimate Gillian Theatre, this sexy, serious and fiercely funny new play explores the inescapable nature of racism and other tricky topics with rapid fire dialogue, shattering assumptions about our culture’s ingrained attitudes of racism, sexism and classism. You’re sure to be captivated by one of the smartest new plays of its time!

Advisory: 
Recommended for ages 18 and up.

This production contains:
- Use of profanity
- Sexual situations
- Partial nudity

Showtimes

Meet the Artists

	Kayla Carter* (Valerie Johnston)
	Erik Hellman* (Brian White)
	Deanna Myers (Ginny Yang)
	Julian Parker* (Jackson Moore)
	Leea Ayers (u/s Valerie Johnston)
	Christine Bunuan* (u/s Ginny Yang)
	Greg Geffrard (u/s Jackson Moore)
	James Knight* (u/s Brian White)

Lydia R. Diamond (Playwright)
Hallie Gordon (Director)
Collette Pollard (Scenic Designer)
Izumi Inaba (Costume Designer)
Kathy A. Perkins (Lighting Designer)
Deidre Searcy (Projections Designer)
Richard Woodbury (Original Music & Sound Design)
Bobby Kennedy (Dramaturg)
Sasha Smith (Intimacy Director)
Tasia A. Jones (Assistant Director)
Rebecca Pechter* (Production Stage Manager)
Abigail Medrano (Assistant Stage Manager)

*Denotes a member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers

Reviews

"Smart People is sleek, stylish and zinging with witty repartee!"

Windy City Times

"Timely...sophisticated [and] very well cast!"

Chicago Tribune

"Scenes sparkle [with] sharp observations and witty lines!”

Chicago Sun-Times

“Provocative. A perfect play for our time.”

Chicago Onstage

"Lydia R. Diamond [has written] dialogue that takes your breath away... Add a cast that sparkles, and you’ve got a clever, provocative hit that never talks down to its audience."

Splash Magazine

Special Events

Accessible Performances

  ASL-Interpreted performance: Saturday, June 2, 2018 at 7:30pm

  Open-Captioned performance: Friday, June 1, 2018 at 7:30pm

Accessibility Services >>

Sunday Spotlight

Sunday, May 13, 2018 after the matinee performance

Are you curious about the world that surrounds your favorite plays? Sunday Spotlight offers access to the finest speakers, scholars and cultural leaders. This one-hour event extends the conversation on our stages by featuring an expert in an area connected to the play. For Smart People, we welcome Dr. Sylvia Perry. Dr. Perry is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at Northwestern University whose research investigates stereotyping and bias, particularly in medical and academic settings. Dr. Perry will discuss with Director of New Work & Dramaturgy Bobby Kennedy the situations depicted and science explored in Smart People and what she has found in her own research. Seating is limited. RSVP is required.

The Making of... Smart People

Monday, May 21, 2018 at 6:30pm

Ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes of our productions? For each production, we will offer insight into a different aspect of creating theatre. For Smart People, Playwright Lydia R. Diamond will discuss her writing career and its beginnings in Chicago, the inspiration and motivations behind her play, as well as the different resonance the play now has, two presidential cycles after its setting. Seating is limited. RSVP is required.

Post-Show Conversation: The Word

Join us after every Tuesday evening performance (excluding First Week and any extension weeks) for a 15-minute discussion of the play, facilitated by a member of the WT Artistic Team.

Post-Show Conversation: The Artist

Join us after every Wednesday evening performance (excluding First Week and any extension weeks) for a 15-minute talk-back featuring actors from the production, facilitated by a member of the WT Artistic Team.