Erin Floyd-Smith

The Artist

Erin Floyd-Smith discovered her calling early: bringing complex, often overlooked characters to life with dignity, truth, and unwavering commitment to their stories. Whether portraying Shakespeare's wronged queens, contemporary mothers fighting for their families, or period characters navigating social change, she finds the universal human truth that connects audiences to characters they might otherwise dismiss or misunderstand.

Professional Journey

Academic Foundation

Her journey began at MiraCosta College, where intensive training with master teachers Tracy Williams and Eric Bishop provided foundational skills in voice, movement, and character development. The transformative Actor's Academy summer conservatory used Shakespeare as a vehicle for exploring every aspect of actor development, culminating in multimedia productions that combined traditional and contemporary theatrical forms.

At University of California, Irvine, she studied with legendary faculty including Dr. Robert Cohen (in his final year of teaching) and Dr. Keith Fowler, developing sophisticated text analysis skills and deep classical training. Her university work included challenging roles like Evelyn in Independence and Marci in Almost, Maine, establishing her specialty in complex maternal characters.

Professional Development

Professional mentorship with Bonnie Gillespie, renowned casting director and author, provided industry insight and career strategy training. Film acting intensive with John Walcutt (director of Little Miss Sunshine, Titanic) established her screen acting technique and understanding of camera work.

Theater Company Work

As a company member with Shakespeare Orange County, she has worked on innovative productions that bring classical work to contemporary audiences. Her understudy work as the Nurse in their multicultural Romeo & Juliet (featured in the Orange County Register) demonstrated both her preparation skills and the company's confidence in her abilities.

Recent work with The 413 Project Theater and 413 Repertory Theater has expanded her professional relationships throughout Southern California, including critically acclaimed work in Sense & Sensibility (featured in Broadway World) and The Secret Garden.

Artistic Philosophy

Character-Driven Performance

Erin's approach centers on finding the truth within each character rather than imposing external choices. Her specialty in "working-class warrior mothers" emerged naturally from her deep connection to characters who fight for their families against overwhelming odds. Whether it's Evelyn desperately trying to keep her family together in Independence or Mrs. Dashwood navigating reduced circumstances in Sense & Sensibility, she finds the strength within apparent vulnerability.

Technical Excellence Serving Truth

Her extensive training in voice, movement, and classical text serves emotional authenticity rather than displaying technique for its own sake. Shakespeare's iambic pentameter becomes natural speech; period physicality emerges from character psychology; dialect work supports character truth rather than showcasing skill.

Collaborative Artistry

From co-writing and co-directing Geekz and Gamez to ensemble work in large-scale Shakespeare productions, she understands that great theater emerges from generous collaboration. Her directing experience enhances her work as an actor, providing perspective on how individual choices serve larger storytelling goals.

Beyond Acting

Creative Leadership

Her work as co-writer and co-director of crowdfunded film Geekz and Gamez demonstrates creative vision and entrepreneurial spirit. The project required skills in script development, crowdfunding management, and production oversight—experience that enhances her value as a collaborative artist who understands the complete creative process.

Professional Entertainment

Recent work with Kaleidoscope Carolers and various commercial projects shows her versatility across entertainment sectors. From intimate period drama to holiday entertainment to educational promotional content, she adapts her skills to serve diverse professional opportunities.

Industry Understanding

Training with casting director Bonnie Gillespie provided insider knowledge of industry operations, career strategy, and professional sustainability. This business understanding complements her artistic training, creating a well-rounded professional prepared for long-term career development.

Current Focus

Seeking Representation

With strong theater company relationships and expanding film/television credits, she is actively seeking representation for larger opportunities in all mediums. Her combination of classical training, contemporary technique, and industry knowledge makes her prepared for professional advancement.

Continued Growth

Ongoing professional development includes advanced workshops, masterclasses, and collaboration with industry professionals. Her commitment to continuous learning ensures her skills remain sharp and current with industry standards.

Community Engagement

Maintaining relationships with training institutions through promotional work and ongoing connections demonstrates her commitment to the artistic community that shaped her development.

The Future

Erin Floyd-Smith represents the best of contemporary actor training: technically excellent, emotionally authentic, professionally prepared, and creatively ambitious. Her goal is simple—to continue bringing complex, worthy characters to life in productions that matter, working with creative teams committed to storytelling that serves both entertainment and deeper human understanding.

Whether it's a mother fighting for her family, a classical heroine defending her honor, or a contemporary woman navigating modern challenges, she brings the same commitment to truth, technique, and collaborative excellence that has defined her work from student productions to professional companies.

Ready to collaborate?