J. C. Smith, left, managing producer of Closed Door Entertainment and director of “A Christmas Carol,” works with Jared Eddy during a dress rehearsal of the play at the Tivoli Theatre. Smith founded the production company, which will stage shows at the Tivoli and Memorial Auditorium in the coming year.FACT FILE
• Age: 26.• Hometown: Dalton, Ga.• Day job: Document clerk for the law firm Grisham, Knight and Hooper.• Education: Studied theater and music at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.• Family: Oldest of six children.• Roles he’d like to play: Willie Wonka, Billy Flynn in “Chicago,” Artful Dodger in “Oliver,” Shrek in “Shrek,” Gaston in “Beauty and the Beast”• Favorite shows he’s produced: “Rent” and “Camelot.”• Shows he’d like to produce: “Les Miserables,” “Shrek,” “Cats,” “Wicked,” “Phantom of the Opera,” “Chicago.”• Best show he’s seen: “Beauty and the Beast” by national touring company in Huntsville, Ala.• Favorite movie: “Casablanca.”
A hurdle to J.C. Smith is just one more thing to get around.
Amid scoffing, he once said he’d write and play and did it. To a continued lack of support, he said he’d produce the play and did it.
Smith began a theater company at age 19, staged his first play at 20, mounted a musical shortly thereafter and never looked back.
Earlier this year, he moved his production company — with all the attendant monetary and support risks — to the Tivoli Theatre, the relative big leagues for the area.