Introducing Lila Smith, appearing as "Ellen" in TWO ROOMS

As a special feature on opening week, we're excited to introduce you to our cast and creative team, who talked with us about their life as actors and their experience of creating the world of TWO ROOMS. 

TWO ROOMS opens February 21 and runs through March 9 - Wed-Sat at 9pm and Sat-Sun at 4pm. For tickets and information, click here. 

Introducing: Lila Smith, who's playing Ellen in TWO ROOMS. Here is her first-hand account of her life as an actor, and her perspective on working with this production.

Full given name:
Lila Smith

Where you were born/where you were raised:
Born on the Upper West Side, raised mostly in Brooklyn.

Zodiac Sign: 
Cancer

What your parents did/do for a living: 
Both of my parents work in education and continue to be full-time parents to me and my brother, as well; it's not an easy job and they're both great at it.

Siblings: 
One awesome younger brother, Jacob, who lives in Philadelphia and is taking me on a sibling vacation shortly after the run of TWO ROOMS closes.

Favorite food of all time: 
Lobster, closely followed by all foods ever (except eggplant).

Special skills: 
Knowing when an avocado is at peak ripeness, fostering an atmosphere of inclusiveness, asking the right questions.

Something you're REALLY bad at: 
Taking time for myself

If you could go back in time and catch any Broadway or Off Broadway show, what would it be?: 
I'd have to go back and re-watch a Broadway show I've already seen: Janet McTeer in A DOLL'S HOUSE. I went with my mother, and it's the performance that made me want to be an actress. Fortunately, the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center has a lot of archival footage we can view for research purposes. I highly recommend taking advantage of it if you can!

Did you have any particular mentors or inspirations as a young actor?: 
I went to Edward R. Murrow High School in Brooklyn, and I had the benefit of working on shows with the Players' Circle, with teachers/directors such as Rory L. Schwartz, Robert Ellman, Scott Martin, Daria McCloskey, and Roberta Raymond. There are no words for the gratitude I feel for having the education they gave me. It is thanks to them that I know the importance of work ethic, ensemble work, and deeply respecting all the dedication that goes into a production, from cast to crew to volunteers, and of course, the audience.

What age did you start acting, and what was the project: 
When I was 5, I played Widow Corney in OLIVER! with my kindergarten class, directed by Mrs. Devinoff.

Current show other than your own you have been recommending to friends: 
TWELFTH NIGHT on Broadway.

Favorite plays: 
The Complete Works of Shakespeare, and various plays written by Tennessee Williams, Annie Baker, Stephen Adly Guirgis, Theresa Rebeck and Tom Rowan.

Most embarrassing moment on stage: 
Final dress for KISS ME KATE and I drew a total blank after "I hate men! I can't abide them... da da da da da..."

What's your favorite part about being a part of The Seeing Place?: 
The growth in my work that has been possible by a fiercely supportive team and a creatively challenging process.

What most excites you about your involvement with TWO ROOMS?: 
I am excited to play Ellen in TWO ROOMS, a human being walking a fine line between her official duties and her personal feelings. Working within her story, I'm hoping just to be able to live in the moment on stage, and hopefully have some great conversations with audience members after the play. Also particularly exciting: this marks my debut with The Seeing Place!

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Lila Smith is so proud to be making her debut with The Seeing Place. She is a born and raised New York City girl, whose professional performing experience in the last five years has mostly been in other states, so it’s great to be performing this close-to-home material on a home-city-stage with this incredible cast and crew. Lila is also Co-Founder and Executive Director of Shakespeare Anywhere, an event services company with a focus on classical performance talent. Proud member of Actors’ Equity Association.

TWO ROOMS opens February 21 and runs through March 9 - Wed-Sat at 9pm and Sat-Sun at 4pm. For tickets and information, click here.

It runs in repertory with DYING CITY, which runs at 7pm and 2pm on the same dates. For tickets and information, click here.