IN LOVING MEMORY OF RAFAEL B. SMITH
Rafael B. Smith as Kai in THE SNOW QUEEN
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel photo
Smith put phenomenal agility,imagination to work as an actor
By AMY RABIDEAU SILVERS
of the Journal Sentinel staff
April 25, 2002
The first time anyone from Friends Mime Theatre saw Rafael Smith, he made
quite an impression.
It was in Madison at general auditions for theater groups from all over Wisconsin. Actors had a couple of minutes each to perform something serious - usually Shakespeare - and something more contemporary or comedic, said Mike Moynihan, co-founder of Friends Mime Theatre, now Milwaukee Public Theatre.
Smith performed Shakespeare, too, but as a martial arts routine with nunchucks. Then he performed a four-person group's comedy routine - all four parts.
Dawn Kaiser, Melinda Boyd, Rafael B. Smith & Liz Grey, levitating during a summer rehearsal
M.Moynihan Photo
"I've never seen anything similar, before or since," Moynihan said. "I thought, I've got to hire this guy."
Barbara Leigh & Rafael B. Smith
M.Moynihan Photo
That was how Smith, born in the projects of Chicago, came to make Milwaukee home. It remained home even after a 1987 accident left him with permanent brain damage.
Smith - often known as "Raf" or "Rafe" - died April 17, following a severe seizure. He was 47.
The accident happened as Smith and Barbara Leigh, a fellow actor and co-founder of the troupe, were touring with the company's "Snow Queen" production. Smith was driving when the van went out of control, skidding on
black ice on a Rock River bridge near Watertown.
Smith suffered severe head trauma, including memory loss and the loss of some of his phenomenal agility. He fought back, working out and even learning to juggle again. When he could, he continued to volunteer with the Milwaukee Public Theatre.
Barbara Leigh suffered a spinal cord injury. She now uses a wheelchair, or sometimes canes, and continues to work with the company.
"It happened," Leigh said. "He had no memory of it. He felt bad. He kind of blamed himself for the accident, because he was driving. . . . But sometimes he was grateful. It gave him a whole different insight into life. . . . He became sweeter, more emotionally accessible."
Two different facts helped shape Smith's acting ability and outlook on life. First, he grew up in the tough world of the Washington Park Homes district of Chicago's south side.
"And," said Leigh. "He was very short, maybe 5-2 or 5-4."
Smith decided he needed to learn how to defend himself, as he once told a reporter. He began learning martial arts skills, including how to use nunchucks, short sticks used in martial arts.
"He never used it in an aggressive way, but it made him very strong," Leigh said. "It was an extremely effective combination. He was very strong, very powerful, but also very non-violent and very fun."
The Tiny Elephant, Rafael B. Smith preparing to juggle dangerous objects
and the Giant Mosquito in a free Park performance
M.Moynihan Photo
Smith earlier graduated from Quincy College and worked with the Chicago Mime Theater and the Unicorn Mime Ensemble.
Most actors have verbal or physical skills, Moynihan said, but Smith had both.
"He was a voice and a body and an imagination," Moynihan said. "As a writer-producer, it's a real gift to find an actor you can write for. You become partners in imagination, in a way that neither of us could do alone."
Rafael B. Smith & Karen Kolberg in EARTHWORKS
M.Moynihan Photo
Smith became an integral part of Friends Mime Theatre, actually something of a misnomer because the troupe also did a lot of talking. He and other company members performed their original productions in Wisconsin and throughout the Midwest.
Their philosophy focused on building community, creating strong neighborhoods, even free performances in county parks.
Smith was especially good with children. When kids often found the tumbling mats irresistible after a performance, Smith became the teacher. Often shy himself, he made sure to include the kids who might be hanging back.
"I'm just happy to be a working actor," he said.
Survivors include his partner, Erica Gottschalk, and her children, Ebby, Megan and Justin, as well as his family in Chicago.
A private service was held.
The above appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on April 26, 2002.