Karen Smith(center), percussionist and playwright,
with Weez the Peeple ( V. Shayne Frederick and Bert Harris)

Karen Smith is a percussionist leading for Weez the Peeples in performances throughout the city as well as Sistahs Laying Down Hands, a spoken word, vocals, dance and percussion ensemble. During the summer of 2014 she took her drumming talents to the Youth Advocacy Program of the Mural Arts Program. Karen recently acted as Outbeat Coordinator for American’s First Queer Jazz Festival as well as performing in this groundbreaking jazz event in Philadelphia.

Since the start of 2012, Karen has been utilizing her theater management skills to create a production company of her own, which entails overseeing budgets, contracts,connecting with sponsor, interviewing and hiring performers for workshops and full production of her project “3 Divas 3” performed both in Philadelphia and NYC in 2014. Currently, Ms. Smith will be premiering a multi-media play in February entitled, Stay Free, focusing on the leadership of Frederick Douglass.

Over the last few years Karen has worked in after school programs combining positive self expression through live music (drumming circle) along with exercise and nutrition routines.

Karen continues to volunteer with The Philadelphia Futures Organization: a not-for-profit organization that prepares high school students from low-income families to enter and succeed in college.

Born in Brooklyn NYC, living in Germantown, Pa.

Contact:milesofella2@verizon.net