Hi, Everyone!
My name is Ashley Smith, and I’m the Head of Community here at Stage 32!
Prior to joining this incredible team, I spent nearly 7 years at a boutique development and talent management company where I was deeply involved with every development project, management client, and administrative aspect of running the company. I oversaw a rich development slate of films, ongoing series, and limited series across genres and developed projects for Amazon, Sony TV, FX, Universal TV, Paramount TV, Legendary Global, MGM, A&E, Concord Originals, and many others.
Here at Stage 32, I’m honored to oversee this fantastic Community. As well as the daily Blog, weekly AMAs, monthly in-person Meetups, and numerous volunteer efforts to make your time here at Stage 32 as helpful and resourceful as possible. It’s always my goal to bring you all exciting resources and information to help you network, connect, and learn more about various disciplines and processes within the entertainment industry.
I’d love to know what you all enjoy most about being a part of the Stage 32 community, what you’d like to see more of, the kind of AMAs that you’d like to see in the lounges, and the type of blog topics that you would enjoy!
On a personal note, today is my puppy Rupert’s second birthday, so this weekend we’re looking forward to spending time at the dog park and showering him with toys, treats, and love. He brings so much joy into our lives, and we feel so lucky to have found such a sweet and smart little guy.
What about you? What’s something that’s bringing you joy right now? Let me know in the comments, I’d love to celebrate with you.
Don’t be a stranger! I look forward to connecting with you all.
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Happy Introduce Yourself Weekend, Ashley Renee Smith! Happy Birthday, Rupert! Rupert is cute! He needs a cartoon.
What I enjoy most about being a part of the Stage 32 community is interacting with everyone. And the resources.
Working on my projects and basketball are bringing me joy right now. I'm excited for March Madness!
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Hey Ashley!! How's life? You're pup is gorgeous! He looks like more than a handful! Are you writing these days?
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Hi Ashley!
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Hi Ashley, I wish Rupert a happy birthday!
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Hi Ashley Renee Smith Ashley, nice to hear more about what you used to do before Stage 32. And you're lucky to have that little bundle of joy in your life. They sunshine in Lisbon, where I relocated 6 months ago today brings me joy. I love all the blogs, particularly the ones that talk about how someone made it to achieving their dream and how they did it. I'd also be interested to hear more about actors talking about the craft of acting and how they have developed their own acting skills. Have a wonderful weekend !
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Hey Ashley Renee Smith - Happy IYW!!! And Happy Birthday Rupert!!! So yesterday, I finished up my voiceover profiles and today I added a page to my website with links to those profiles. And TODAY, I got my first invite to apply for a voiceover job by someone on Voices. I've already done the recording and sent it off. Even if I don't get it, I'm glad for the experience. Now I can get back to editing a screenplay and popping in to Stage 32 to say hello to my fellow creatives. Did Rupert get cake?
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Congratulations on getting your first invite to apply for a voiceover job, Leonardo Ramirez!
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Thanks Maurice Vaughan!!
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You're welcome, Leonardo Ramirez.
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Happy Birthday Rupper and I hope you get a lot of nice things today :)) Happy IYW my soul sister Ashley Renee Smith :))
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Thanks so much, Maurice Vaughan! Rupert as a cartoon would be amazing! He already has the personality for it, that’s for sure. I’m so glad to hear that the community and resources have been valuable for you, and I always love seeing you interact with everyone across the lounges.
Also, love that you’re finding joy in your projects and basketball. Got any favorite teams you’re rooting for?
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Hey Normann Pokorny! Life’s been full lately, in the best way. Lots of time with loved ones (including that wild little pup, who absolutely is more than a handful!) and slowly easing back into writing a book that I'm working on after a bit of a burnout stretch. Trying to soak up inspiration wherever I can and let that fuel the next creative wave. How about you? Working on anything exciting right now?
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Hi, Rich Hynes! How are you? Are you working on anything new that you're excited about?
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Thanks, Anna Kiss! He's a spoiled baby. =)
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Hi Alexandra Stevens! Thank you so much, and happy 6-month anniversary in Lisbon! That sunshine sounds like such a beautiful gift to wake up to every day. I’m so glad to hear you’re enjoying the blogs, especially the success stories; those are some of my favorites to share, too. And thank you for the great suggestion about spotlighting more actors and their craft, we’ll definitely work that into upcoming content. I always love your posts in the Acting Lounge! Wishing you a joyful weekend as well!
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Hey Leo! Happy IYW to you too, and thank you for the birthday wishes for Rupert! That’s such awesome news! Huge congrats on getting your first VO invite already! Just taking that step, getting the recording done, and sending it off is a win worth celebrating. I hope it leads to many more opportunities. You should share this great update in the Acting Lounge so others can cheer you on too! Rupert got birthday cake dog treat cookies, four new toys, and was thoroughly spoiled all day. Can’t wait to hear more about the screenplay you’re editing. Always love seeing you pop in here, friend!
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Jayda(DJ) Dzekashu, I didn't receive a message from you, but it's lovely to meet you! What are your current creative goals?
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Thank you so much Ashley Renee Smith - really means a lot, my friend. So glad Rupert got toys and cake and all the yummies! And yes, I’ll be sure to post in the acting lounge!
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You're welcome, Ashley Renee Smith. The cartoon could be called Rupert or Rupert’s World. I have college football teams, but not college basketball teams. I'm still trying to pick some. I just choose a basketball team to root for when I start watching a game.
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Ashley Renee Smith thank you for picking up on my 6 months in LIsbon anniversary. I had a wonderful walk in the forest with blue sky and sunshine. Thanks for your great energy in supporting us all. I look forward to posting more stuff in the acting lounge. Love the buzz on Stage 32 this weekend due to the Introduce Yourself theme. I"m sure some inspiration for posts will arise from all the great convos.
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You had me at the pup pic Ashley Renee Smith!
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Rupert is adorable!!!
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Rupert looks so proud in his adornment!
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Happy introduce yourself weekend and happy birthday to Rupert!
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Ashley Renee Smith Spoiled? :) I know that well. I also had three German Shepherds for 16 years. Unfortunately, they passed away two years ago from the same illness. Well, they were the slave owners, and I was the one who served them in everything. Sometimes they had a good laugh at how I jumped at everything they wanted. I could see it on their faces that they were laughing. :) I never learned more about communication from anyone than I did from my three dogs."
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My condolences, Anna Kiss.
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Totally hear you Anna Kiss. We lost our Yorkie Mix last month and it stings. I did learn a ton about caretaking, that's for sure. She was definitely spoiled but I loved it.
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Maurice Vaughan Thank you very much. I still miss them a lot.
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You're welcome, Anna Kiss. I know what you mean. I still miss and think about our dogs that passed away a long time ago. There's a story(s) in there somewhere.
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Happy Birthday, sweet little Rupert. Our corgi puppy Skye is 8 months and showers her best friend Coco (3 year old corgi) with kisses. Coco welcomes it as last September we lost our 2 year old corgi, Amber. Coco went into a depression, but thankfully we found her a little BFF in 2 days but Coco snubbed the 7 week old puppy. It was 2 long weeks before she accepted her. Thanks Ashley Renee Smith for posting and sharing your background. This is a fabulous break from packing up our house (we're moving in 3 days). It's truly amazing how people from all walks of life and opposing world views come together when it comes to their favourite topic - animals.
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My condolences, Marina Albert. Glad Coco accepted Skye. Congratulations on moving!
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Thanks Maurice... I think :)
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You're welcome, Marina Albert. Do you not want to move?
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Thanks for the share and happy IYW! You got a cute puppy and creative partner there! I'm sure he's really helpful, lol!
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The last thing on our minds was moving Maurice Vaughan - but life changed 3 years ago when the house next door was sold. A very different atmosphere descended. Let's leave it at that... sigh. Instead of packing a mountain of boxes and enjoying the last moments of our home, I would've completed a script rewrite by now. But I have the notes!!! And they're coming with us!
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Great to meet you again!!
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Sorry to hear that, Marina Albert. I hope you all like your new home and neighborhood! And hope you get to finish the script rewrite soon!
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Rupert will go far in this business with your excellent guidance. Just look at that determination and focus!
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Catherine Cole, Rupert LOVES wearing his bow ties. We take it off at night before bed and in the morning he gets so excited to put it back on. He sits up all straight and proud while we place it and then he struts around. Lol!
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Anna Kiss, Rupert being spoiled is probably the understatement of the year! My sister always jokes that he’s the most expressive animal she’s ever seen. He truly has a whole face of emotions and can speak volumes with just a glance. I absolutely love how you described your Shepherds laughing at you. I know exactly what you mean! There’s a whole secret language in those looks and expressions, and once you learn it, the bond becomes something really special.
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Jack Binder, he was definitely born for the spotlight. Lol! He loves being the center of attention.
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Oh Marina Albert, thank you for sharing such a sweet and heartfelt story. I’m so sorry to hear about Amber. Losing a young pup is absolutely heartbreaking. But how beautiful that Coco has Skye now, and that they’ve become best friends after that rocky start. Dogs really do have a way of helping each other heal. I’m sending you all the good vibes for your move, what an intense time! I couldn’t agree more… animals really do bring people together in the most unexpected and meaningful ways. Give Skye and Coco some love from Rupert and me!
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Thank you, Ashley Renee Smith - you're gonna make me cry, girl.