SMOTE THIS

A Comedy About God and Other Serious $h*t

Now playing at Oregon Shakespeare Festival

SMOTE THIS

A COMEDY ABOUT GOD AND OTHER SERIOUS $H*T

In this one-man comedy, Rodney Gardiner tries to abandon God despite his deeply Christian roots. For this undocumented Black boy growing up in tumultuous 1980s Miami, racial unrest, an immigration crisis, and the drug war is just another Tuesday.

PRESS & REVIEWS

TVolution

Watch a trailer!

“If you are interested in seeing a truly EXCEPTIONAL PERFORMER deliver what can best be described as a Masterclass Level Performance, then you've come to the right show!”

audience member

“Hilarious and moving. Rodney is an incredibly gifted storyteller and here delivers a memorable piece of solo theater that engrosses from beginning to end.”

audience member

“This is a masterclass in performance storytelling. Part preacher, part poet, all powerhouse.”

audience member

Rodney Gardiner actor/writer/comedian is known for his recurring roles in From Scratch (Netflix) and David Makes Man (OWN), along with memorable guest star roles. Gardiner grew up in Miami, FL, but hails from Turks & Caicos in the Caribbean. He attended New World School of the Arts and also performed with a traveling performance group, entertaining and educating folks in Miami’s drug rehab facilities, jails, group homes, and shelters. It is in this early phase, performing in under-served communities, where Gardiner developed a penchant for versatility and bold character work.

Gardiner later attended SUNY Purchase (Acting Conservatory) in New York and upon graduating, joined Waterwell Theatre. With Waterwell, Rodney has co-devised, co-adapted, and performed in several productions, including "The Persians," and "The Last Year in the Life of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King." Gardiner would go on to perform all over the country at some of the nation's most prestigious companies, including The Guthrie Theater, The Old Globe, Berkeley Rep, and ten seasons at Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Gardiner is currently performing his one person show, SMOTE THIS, A Comedy About God and Other Serious $H!t, at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, March 3th - May 12th.