Equipped to Lead and Succeed
Alumni
Beyond the Stage with Ashley Smiley ’13
For Ashley Smiley ’13, art has always been about more than what happens onstage. It’s about asking difficult questions, challenging perspectives, and creating space for voices that deserve to be heard.
Today, the playwright, theater artist, and arts administrator is bringing that philosophy full circle, connecting a new generation of University of San Francisco students with San Francisco’s vibrant arts community.
Smiley’s journey began in USF’s Performing Arts and Social Justice (PASJ) program, where she studied theater alongside theology. Through a partnership with the African American Shakespeare Company, she gained hands-on experience as an assistant stage manager at the African American Art & Culture Complex (AAACC) in the Fillmore District.
Even then, she imagined returning someday as a professional artist.
Years later, that vision became reality. Now serving as senior programs coordinator at the AAACC, Smiley helps strengthen connections among artists, community organizations, and emerging performers.
Finding Her Voice at USF
“It's where I figured it all out,” Smiley says of her time at USF.
The PASJ program challenged her to explore the intersection of performance, identity, and social justice. From productions examining feminism and violence to conversations about representation and community, Smiley discovered that theater could entertain audiences while inviting them to confront complex realities.
Image
Her senior project proved especially transformative, allowing her to explore directing, performance, and sound design while bringing her theological perspective into her artistic practice.
That interdisciplinary approach continues to shape her work today.
Smiley also credits longtime mentors Christine Young, Amie Dowling, and Dr. Mark Miller for continuing to champion her artistic growth long after graduation.
“They always saw something in me that I'm still trying to find in myself,” she reflects.
Creating Space for the Next Generation
For Smiley, returning to the AAACC is about more than advancing her own career. It's about creating opportunities for emerging artists to experiment, build confidence, and develop professional experience.
She envisions the AAACC as a bridge between USF’s classrooms and professional stages, a welcoming environment where young artists can take creative risks without the pressures of traditional theater spaces.
Recently, collaborating with USF students brought that vision to life.
What began as an opportunity to share her professional experience became something more meaningful: an exchange of ideas, creativity, and inspiration that even sparked her interest in teaching.
For Smiley, it's another reminder of what makes art powerful. Whether audiences come for the theatrical experience, the theological questions, or simply the story, she hopes they leave with something to think about.
As she continues building bridges between USF and San Francisco's artistic community, she's ensuring that the next generation finds its own voice.
At USF, students are encouraged to explore their passions, challenge perspectives, and turn their creativity into meaningful change. Help the next generation find their voice.
