Remembering Jonathan Smoots
Jonathan Smoots passed away Friday, March 21, following a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. Jonathan was a titan of the Milwaukee theatre scene remembered by audiences and colleagues alike for his enormous stage presence, passionate portrayals of some of the greatest characters in both the classical and contemporary stage canons, and fierce loyalty to, and love for, his friends. For more than 40 years, Milwaukee Rep, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Renaissance Theaterworks, Madison Rep, Next Act and Spring Green’s American Players Theatre stages have all been graced by his enduring artistic talent.
In 1990, Jonathan was serving as Artistic Director of Milwaukee’s Next Generation Theatre, originally founded by Jane Barclay Mandel, when it merged with Sharon McQueen’s Theatre Tesseract to form Next Act Theatre. He served as Next Act’s first Artistic Director, guiding the fledgling company for two years before handing over the role to Producing Artistic Director emeritus David Cecsarini. Jonathan continued to contribute substantially to Next Act’s artistic programming, serving for three years as Artistic Associate, directing 10 of the company’s productions and appearing in another 10. Some of his favorite productions at Next Act were his appearances in SEA MARKS, FAITH HEALER and EQUIVOCATION, as well as directing THE BOYS NEXT DOOR.
Here was a Caesar; when comes there such another?
Current Next Act Theatre Artistic Director Cody Estle had this to say: “Next Act Theatre was founded 35 years ago by Jonathan Smoots and David Cecsarini, among others, and today, it continues to create exceptional plays for all of us to enjoy. With the passing of Jonathan, Next Act’s first artistic director, we reflect on and deeply appreciate the work he and David put into building this company, allowing it to continue producing powerful theatre. I am mindful of the legacy left by those who came before me, and it is an honor to carry the baton they passed down. All of us at Next Act Theatre are keeping Laura Gordon, Jonathan’s wife, and David Cecsarini, his best friend, in our thoughts during this time.”
Jonathan met David Cecsarini in 1980 at American Players Theatre, and the two quickly became friends and frequent collaborators. David had the following to say:
“Ours was a friendship forged onstage as well as off, informed as much by Star Trek as it was by Shakespeare. Jonathan’s confidence and skill with classical language rubbed off on me and showed me the way forward. As we acted side-by-side in those early APT days, we realized that we shared common, core principles in how we liked to make theatre. Those shared tastes would lead to directing, and eventually to the forming of Next Act Theatre, and all that has come thereafter. We have worked together, learned together, groused together, grown older together and supported one another through thick and thin these past 45 years. Jonathan was one-of-a-kind, to me and to so many others. His absence leaves a hole in our hearts. In the words of Marc Antony: “Here was a Caesar; when comes there such another?”
A memorial for Jonathan will be held at Next Act Theatre on Monday, May 5, with refreshments and catered hors d’oeuvres from 6 to 7 p.m. and the memorial starting at 7 p.m. RSVPs to info@nextact.org are encouraged, but not required, by Monday, April 28. Jonathan’s family suggests memorial donations to Next Act Theatre or End Of Life Choices, Oregon (EOLCOR).