Life & Work with Nate Smith of North Canton

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nate Smith.

Nate, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Grew up living with my Mom, grandma and aunt in a trailer park in Massillon OH. I was a very creative kid. Putting on song and dance productions for my family, making movies with my action figures, drawing and painting on every piece of paper I could find. When I was five, my mother lost me in a large crowd and was frantic until she realized I had made my way up on stage and started dancing with the actors that were dressed as the ninja Turtles. She then enrolled me into dance classes with the late Richard Moore who provided an outstandingly creative environment with his studio Theatre Dance Centre and Theatre 8:15. With his and his instructors tutelage, my love for song, Dance and Theatre performance took hold of me and never let go. I was involved in many shows and productions throughout my years in the Massillon School system., in grade school the principal would have me Dance to the song eye of the Tiger for our football rallies. I stayed involved in advanced and show choir throughout middle and high school. Winning talent shows and accolades such as the prism award, as well as being part of the first group from the Northeast Ohio area to make states in the Odyssey Of The Mind competition. When I was 14 I asked Richard if I could teach a hip-hop dance class. I needed a platform to explore my artistry and he was more than willing to provide that for me. And on the day I was to teach my very first dance class , Richard suddenly and unexpectedly passed away. It was devastating for the countless amount of students and fellow performers who were guided by and/or worked with him. On that same day, we decided to go ahead have my class and it turned into a beautiful inspiring experience that I know all of us needed in that moment. From that moment forward, I felt the need to continue to grow and provide that environment that was so crucial to my upbringing. And to the best of my ability and the with help of owner The late Fred McWhorter, my family, friends and a countless community of supporters, at 17yrs old freshly graduated from Massillon, I directed my first show at Theatre 815. The variety show “Bringing The Heat” opened to a successful sold out run with additional shows having to be added. From there, I started teaching at dance studios all around Ohio, as well as continuing to direct and perform in shows at Theatre 8:15. Which later turned into opening Spotlight Theatre Company after a short stint in NY and LA during 06-09. It was around this time when I was 20yrs old, I reconnected with my father, whom I learned had a singing group growing up with his siblings and even competed against the Jacksons in Gary, Indiana. In 2013 I moved back out to Los Angeles. Where my experience as a choreographer, singer/songwriter, actor, writer, model, DJ and painter, allowed me the privilege to tour domestically and internationally. Working with many artists and companies in the industry such as Paula Abdul, Childish Gambino, Usher, ABC, Converse, Nickelodeon, Tisha Campbell, KeKe Palmer, JC Penny, Audi, NFL, NBA, Hulu, Amazon, Google, and many more. I also had the privilege to tour as lead male singer for the Grammy Winning Artist Jody Watley. Writing and releasing the single “The Mood”. As well as writing song placements for Fox Music. Recently seen in the award-winning short film Chocolate with Sprinkles.” As well as holding my first artist showcase entitled, Saving Myself Through Art. Inspired by my mental health journey. Having returned to Ohio to help my father through a cancer diagnosis. I continue to stay creative everyday, acting, teaching, and traveling when need be. I’m excited for the next chapter of my life. Who knows I’ve been “gigging” for so long perhaps settling down with a wife and kids could be down the distant path. I’ve been very blessed to have an amazing journey so far, filled with even greater people. My advice would be to travel, be open to learning new things and listening to different perspectives, and with a little kindness., self love, and hard work, really cool things can happen.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I grew up in a household, full of a lot of love and was very fortunate to have a fantastic support system creatively. But I did have struggles identifying racially. I grew up going to school with predominantly Caucasian students and transitioning into middle school with a more diverse group was definitely an adjustment as I had to learn a lot about myself on the fly. Again, no indictment on anyone or my upbringing, it’s just one of those things of “you don’t know what you don’t know.” And why I even dove further into my creative endeavors. My love for music and art, movies and literature is just as diverse as the make up of myself.. But often times you don’t know that you are experiencing something until later down the road. For me, it was the thought process of “not feeling good enough”. I’m not exactly sure when it started. Whether it be from growing up without my father or some other sort of heartbreak. But that was something that has led to a long battle with depression that tends to creep up at various moments along my journey. But where once I would never talk about what I was experiencing, I now feel very comfortable talking. About those struggles thanks to my wonderful support system and mental health professionals.. Every day is a gift!

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a multifaceted artist, dancer, singer/songwriter, DJ and Actor.

I think my people skills and my ability to relate to different types of backgrounds has been a real asset for me. I truly believe you can learn something from every single encounter. Good or bad take it or leave it.

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Sorry, I answered a lot of this in my first reply lol I was a super fun goofy and outgoing kid. Tried to mimic MC Hammer, Michael Jackson, James Brown and Prince with the dance moves. Loved comic books and at one point wanted to be a comic book artist. I had a tape recorder where I would make and record my own shows much to the chagrin of my family’s ears.Haha

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @nateallensmith
• Facebook: Nate Smith
• Youtube: @nateallensmith