Meet Hannah Marie Smith | Cabaret Producer, Performer, & Long Time Friender

We had the good fortune of connecting with Hannah Marie Smith and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Hannah Marie, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?

When I first arrived in the Atlanta theatre community in 2016, I noticed right away that the market was extremely saturated. I also knew that there was a pool of unused musical theatre work just waiting to be heard out there. It didn’t take me long to realize that I could meet both needs, but to do that I needed more experience performing in cabaret/concert environments. It brought me a lot of creative fulfillments, especially in times where I didn’t have a show going on. It also brought me joy to give other underused, talented performers an opportunity to get seen and perform something they enjoy.

After producing/performing in cabarets for 4 years, the pandemic came… That is when the realization hit: we all at our core crave community and connection. A place of belonging. Theatre itself is portrayals of human connection. I can’t think of a better “why” than creating more opportunities for that.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

Like I said earlier, I noticed right away that the Atlanta theatre market was over-saturated and there wasn’t enough paid work to book up the massive amount of talented actors we have here.

During my off seasons, I was able to work with many theatres in their cabaret series. These opportunities really helped me expand my knowledge and ideas. I did a 90’s’ pop cabaret, a disco cabaret, a miscast cabaret, a Halloween cabaret. You name it!

After that, I reached out to other smaller theatres I worked with previously, asking if they needed a cabaret to help fundraise. This gave me an opportunity to try new ideas and give my friends a shot at performing pieces they’d been dying to use. I would provide a word or a feeling to theme the cabaret and the performers would bring pieces that fit the vibe. I would also offer to film their pieces so that they could use the footage for their reels.

I did this for a few years, while also performing in shows and working full time. This helped me keep my creative juices flowing, especially in times when I didn’t have a show going on. It also brought me joy to give other performers an opportunity to get seen and perform something they enjoy. Producing my own shows gave me an outlet when I came to terms with my sexuality and didn’t quite have the courage to say it aloud yet, I was able to put together pride cabarets and it was during my last pride cabaret in 2019 that I came out for the first time in front of my friends and loved ones.

2020 came and shook the world, especially the theatre world. It was then that I needed a creative outlet more than ever, and many people felt the same way. This is where one of the major challenges I faced occurred.

I started brainstorming with some friends, Kallie Alicia Bedell-Robinson and Kathryn May Latoni, who owned Essence to Crux theatre, and we created “The Lockdown Series”. We had creatives submit audition tapes for the online cabaret and every week we would choose two people to interview and would have their audition videos play at the end so that people could get to know them. In May of 2021, I also produced the “May Day Cabaret” with Atlanta Artists’ Relief Fund for the same reasons I did the lockdown series. These cabarets gave many performers an opportunity to tell their stories during a time when we were craving human connection.

I believe that my experience and tenacity is what sets me apart. I’ve been producing while also performing AND working a full-time day job. That is not for the faint of heart and it has tested my heart strength for YEARS! Fortunately, and unfortunately, for me, if I get a vision in my head, it will not leave me until I put it into the world. I usually try to take that vision and pair it with a need, so while I am also receiving fulfillment, I can give fulfillment to others too.

Here’s a lesson I learned that has also shaped me: People say that when one door closes, another window opens. While I agree with that, sometimes the door closes to a windowless room. Sometimes, you find a shovel and create your own entrance. Yeah, it’s harder than it should be. You may get scuffed up and a little dirty, but hey, at least you entered in style!

In some ways, I am the digger, pushing forward to achieve my mission. In others, I am the shovel, helping create the entrance for someone else. I hope that’s my legacy.

I am currently producing/performing in a cabaret February 16-18th at Stage Door Theatre called “Love Songs Through the Decades”. This cabaret will take you on a musical tour of love songs from the 30’s to the present, proving that some of your favorites will last a lifetime. If your readers are looking for a fun Valentine’s Day date idea, I hope they will consider joining us!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
One of my favorite spots close to Atlanta is downtown Roswell and there is PLENTY to do there! Gate City Brewery recently opened the Artillery Room right off of Canton St., where they have cocktails on draft. They have a full fall menu now and even a mocktail menu for our sober friends. Right next to it is Lola’s Burger and Tequila bar that has a wide selection of delish eats. Down the road, you can walk down to Roswell Mill and check out the waterfall and set up a picnic if you like. There’s also plenty of tubing put ins for you to shoot the hooch! It’s a great area, If I wanted to stay in Atlanta, I would take a friend to Amore e Amore. They have the BEST lobster bisque I have ever had, and they usually theme their restaurant around whatever holiday is closest. I highly recommend it!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

David Nisbet – For being like a father to me and for teaching me the ropes when I didn’t have a clue how things worked.

Arnotti Stephens Productions – For giving me countless opportunities to produce, perform, and create.

Bridget McCarthy and Joey Davila – For seeing my vision, supporting my vision, and giving me the glasses I needed to enhance my vision. Thank you for helping me get my foot in the door.

Amanda Wansa Morgan – For always being down to collaborate, being a mentor and inspiration, & for supporting my ideas. She just released her new book, “Conversations with Women in Musical Theatre Leadership”, your readers should check it out!

Brian Osborne – for always being available to help me with a project and for my coachings.

Ann-Carol Pence at Aurora Theatre – For championing me, mentoring me, and for HEARING me.

Out Front Theatre Company – For giving me my first opportunities as a queer artist in the community.

Independent Artists’ Playhouse – For giving me opportunities for cabarets/concerts and inspiring me to do the same for others.

& my wife Nina – For every tape she’s helped me film, for every piece of myself she helped me find, for every inspiration she’s given me, and for loving me through every season.

Website: hannahmariesmith.com

Instagram: hannymsmithy

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-marie-craton/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@hannaymsmithy/featured

Image Credits
Portraits with Purpose photo – Robert Mitchel Owenby Photography