"Confessions of a Deacon's Wife"

 an original monologue in which Barbara questions

her husband, her priest, & her therapist,

 quoting Thich Nhat Hanh, Joseph Campbell, Bishop Taylor & Bishop Spong

             with husband, Deacon Russell Smith, leading post-show discussion

Professional actress Barbara Bates Smith, wife of Deacon Russell Smith of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Canton, offers free of charge to the Diocese and its parishes, for programming purposes, the performance of her original monologue, “Confessions of a Deacon's Wife." In this candid, humorous, and thought-provoking spiritual journey, she salutes and questions her husband, her priest, and her therapist while quoting Thich Nhat Hanh, Joseph Campbell, Bishop Taylor and Bishop Spong. Her husband, Deacon Russell Smith, is available to lead post-show discussions.

The dramatic presentation has played at theaters in the Southeast, and has been the focus of Diocesan retreats, fundraisers, church services, and lively parish discussions.

"The show is a zinger…compelling, authentic, brave," says Frank Levering, D.D., Harvard. The Reverend Tim McRee of St. Andrew’s has called it, "Outstanding!" It is "a confirmation and a blessing, and a valuable springboard to  discussion," according to The Reverend Alice Mason, St. David’s, Cullowhee.

Noted for her Off-Broadway adaptation and performance of “Ivy Rowe” from Lee Smith’s Fair and Tender Ladies, Barbara now stars in “On Agate Hill,” adapted from Lee Smith's newest novel. Other one-woman stage adaptations include the works of Kaye Gibbons and Fred Chappell.   "The C-Word: Her Life-meets-Art Cancer Story" rounds out her touring repertoire. Barbara studied autobiographic storytelling with Spalding Gray, and has led “Our Own Stories” workshops for various groups (one including Gloria Steinem!)

 More information: barbarasmith333@juno.com     828-627-8923

www.barbarabatessmith.com