Our Company Purpose
To continuously explore our most hidden and unresolved human behavior through the Art of Acting ~ To understand why we say what we say, and do what we do ~ To courageously uncover the deepest universal truths through the stories we tell, even at their most disturbing ~ To encourage compassion and humor for our humanity, and for the many more ways we are the same than we are different ~ To contribute to a more humane world, and thereby hurt ourselves and others less.
“Vibration” by Tal Gottfried, company member — acrylic 5′ × 4′
The Company Name
Krista Morin, a veteran company member, blurted the name out one late evening years ago during a random word game on a beach at a company retreat. Interesting that those were the words she chose. “grace” and “moon” hold various symbolic meanings, and represent the core principles of the company’s practices and its approach to acting.
The word GRACE draws inspiration from an adage used by Michèle during teaching and coaching sessions. This adage serves as a guiding principle for actors, enabling them to comprehend that to truly grasp the essence of a character and delve into its most profound unconscious motivations, the actor adopts the perspective of having won the universal lottery. Because, given that character’s sometimes dire circumstance, compared to the actor’s own, “there but for the grace of the universe go I.” The actor could easily have been living the extreme adversity and challenges of the character’s life. And so what then? Empathy — a fundamental and essential principle of truthful acting.
MOON evokes a profound connection to the natural world and the enigmatic and fundamental principles of the cosmos. Most characters in scripts grapple with existential dilemmas about life’s purpose; these are the most compelling and universally resonant narratives. The ‘moon’ also speaks to surrendering to the things we cannot explain, and yet we continue to look for meaning.
New York
Rome · Italia“Everything about @gracemoonarts is sublime – from the moment you walk in til the moment you leave. Actually you don’t want to leave lol. The neverending pursuit of the truth coupled with its safe space for real dialogue. It’s changed my life, made me smarter and more empathetic.”Joe Risico
Over the past 25 years, Michèle Lonsdale Smith, a 1980’s alum of the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute in New York, has developed an acting philosophy and technique that continues to use and evolve traditional techniques to help actors be more truthful. The proof is in the depth of storytelling Gracemoon productions deliver to this day.
It’s the mission of the company to understand the truths of our humanity at the deepest levels, then report back in storytelling to our community and to the world.
The Gracemoon Arts Company came into inception in 2017, as a love letter to the actors who trained at Lonsdale Smith & Company Acting Studio (LS&CO). This provided a home where Michèle and the company could take their process into performance. The company has since produced a myriad of projects, writing, acting, and directing in film and theatre. What began as training ground to expand the understanding of an art form, has evolved into a modality that can be beneficial on a broader humanitarian scale.
Word of the training and modality spread internationally, and Michèle was encouraged in 2019 by an Italian actor working at the time in L.A. to bring her approach to acting to Italy. So with the company, Michèle started teaching as an invited guest at Fivizzano27 in Pigneto, Rome. The European love of the laboratory style of deep research and investigation into the study of human behavior as an art in and of itself, inspired us to go even deeper in the acting methodology, and many Italian actors continued to come to study. Michèle was so encouraged by the level of talent and willingness to explore the human condition from the deepest personal places, that she decided to extend the Gracemoon New York company to Rome and Gracemoon Italia was born.
Gracemoon became a 501(c)3 organization in 2024 and opened its first theatre later that year, bringing the members and their work to the most diverse city in the world: New York. The Mecca of theatre.
The theatre offered a space where people could come together to dialogue on the nature of the human condition through the art of acting. A slate of four well-known plays, directed by Michèle and unified by sociocultural matter, brought the spirit of real, cinematic, and disturbing acting back to the skin of NY theatre. After each show, a moderated conversation engaged the audience and the cast in deeply honest dialogue. A personal & critical thought conversation about what was just experienced using our actual process. A theatre, a company, an audience and a methodology for those who want to know themselves at the bottom.
Today, the theatre has moved from Brooklyn with an anticipated residency in Manhattan and Rome in the Fall of 2026. The NY and Rome company operate as one international community. Raw, real and intimate theatre elevated to unbridled unity. Toyer “Il Giocattolaio” by Gardner McKay, debuted with rave notices in May 2026 prompting the plan of our first touring play. The instructors, actors and board at Gracemoon continue to grow. Gracemoon breathes in the way we act and live. An international home for the artist. A way of life for our communities to feel less alone. The Art of Acting can change lives in the deepest most transcendent and sustainable ways. The dream is real.
Welcome to our home.
Photo: Daria Baglieri
Everything has been figured out, except how to live.Jean-Paul Sartre
…and how to live together.
Based on over 20 years of innovation in an acting class/studio, we have refined a modality, a process, a set of principals & exercises based in the art form, to help anyone who wants it, in a profound & life changing way. A revolutionary way of living life as an artist, whether you dance or paint or sing or write or act or simply live. YOU CAN BEGIN TO UNDERSTAND YOUR DEEPER & OFTEN MORE DIFFICULT TRUTHS IN FACING YOUR OWN REALITIES. THESE ARE THE TOOLS TO NAVIGATE SUSTAINABLE CONNECTIONS WITH OTHERS.
We find refuge in the myriad of false narratives, that we are better or worse than another, that as individuals we are more or less valuable than others … AND THAT WE ARE NOT ALL DESPERATE FOR THE SAME THING IN THE RECESSES OF OUR HUMANITY…TO LOVE & BE LOVED.
We continue to create curriculum, and practices to bring our exercises of honesty, intimacy & deeper truths to those searching for it.
It really is a revolution. Not about a new way of thinking, but rather a new way of looking at what we all know intrinsically to be true.
Gracemoon New York
Co-Founder and Artistic Director · Executive Director — Gracemoon Arts Company, New York & Rome
Michèle’s artistic research and development have been compiled over 25 years, alongside her Master Class teaching at the LS&CO Acting Studio for the Humanitarian Arts while acting and directing 24 plays and 2 Web Series and numerous productions in Canada, Italy and the USA. Intertwined with her international directing and acting career, Michèle held roles in the Feature Film “Race” and Episodic work for NBC, Global, USA Network, Showtime and others. In 2023, she established herself to live and work in New York. Together with her company of actors, they opened The Gracemoon Theatre, Salon & Gallery in Bushwick on JULY 11, 2024. Gracemoon serves “the artist”, devoted to uplifting and upholding the New York tradition of excellence and integrity in acting, while aspiring to evolve the art form, its reach, and humanitarian impact. Gracemoon is currently forging an Italian branch in Rome, (Gracemoon Italia), and in May, Michèle will direct Gracemoon’s first play “Il Giocattolaio” by Gardner McKay completely in Italian.
Mitzi Jones began her journey as an Artist approximately 25 years ago in Vancouver before moving to London where she found success in many mediums including film, TV, Motion Capture, Voice Over and theatre in both the West End and touring Nationally. She continued to grow as a teacher, mentor and private acting coach there before returning home to start a family.
After spending the better part of her children’s informative years at home, she came back to her first love and began acting and teaching again, first in her local town before moving to Toronto to study and mentor at LS&CO. She soon became a member of the Gracemoon Arts Company where she is now acting President of Administration on the Board as well as a teacher, coach and Managing Director of LS&CO studios.
As an international artist she has helped numerous actors and actresses book their dream roles as well as know themselves more truthfully and lovingly, at the same time as exercising and nurturing her own talent and approach to her own development.
Gracemoon Italia
A 501(c)3 arts organization and theatre company that explores the deepest truths of human behavior through the art of acting, operating in New York and Rome.
Gracemoon operates in New York and Rome.
It was founded in 2017 by Michèle Lonsdale Smith, its Co-Founder & Artistic Director, and became a 501(c)3 nonprofit in 2024.
Every performance closes with a moderated salon conversation between the cast and audience about the play’s subject matter — moving art into action.
It is Gracemoon’s training studio — a modality refined over more than 20 years of acting study, open to anyone seeking to understand their deeper truths, not only actors.
New applicants audit the Masterclass and Pre-Master Classes (a minimum of five times to be considered for study; audit-only is open to everyone). To begin, contact Mitzi Jones at lscostudios@gmail.com.
Yes — Gracemoon became a 501(c)3 nonprofit in 2024. You can support its work through donations and sponsorship on the Make Your Impact page.
Meet the Company
All Photos & Videos: Randall Ross
“I moved to NYC 15 years ago, in part because of my love of theatre. I have seen so many incredible performances and productions on and off-Broadway throughout my time here. However, rarely have I felt so fulfilled and connected with a company and their performances.”Elisa Schneider, Development, Digital + New Media at TEG+
Truthful conversation is a large part of our work. It’s how we make sense of the human condition we discover in ourselves and see in others. It’s integral to grounding the effect that theatre and art has on us. Now, more than ever, people are easily distracted from what truly affects them at the deepest levels, including how and why they are affected by art. Having a space and structure to dig deeper for the answers makes Gracemoon critical to the sustainability of our mental and physical health as individuals and communities. Each experience at Gracemoon finishes with a real-time discussion about the play’s subject matter, immediately moving art into action and awakening us to the reality that we, you, are not alone.
The Studio
LS&CO Conservatory Acting Studio for the Humanitarian Arts
As actors, we traffic in the deepest parts of the human condition where most are not required to go. It’s in this exploration that we come to understand the dangerous nature of the human ego, our vanities, the stories we tell ourselves and project onto others, and how this behavior negatively impacts our lives and the lives of the people we love.
From practical exploration and specific questions, we discover that the deeper and more hidden a personal truth, the more universal it is. When we admit these deeper and unexplored truths, the ego usually disarms and our reaction to our human imperfection shifts from judgement and isolation, to empathy, support & community, ALMOST IMMEDIATELY. When this is practiced over time, the result is a strong sense of one’s autonomy, and a perspective on how universal and human all of our behavior truly is.
Prerequisite
All new applicants to Study are required to audit the Masterclass and Pre-Master Classes a minimum of 5 times to be considered for Study. But, if you interest is to Audit only, you can do as few or as many as you like.
You do not have to be an actor or even an artist to audit classes at the studio. We have open studios and open rehearsals throughout the year, open to everyone.
LS&CO has operated for over a decade with virtually no advertising or marketing other than word of mouth. Everyone who comes to study was recommended to the studio by someone who either studies currently, or has studied in the past.
We purposefully structured the studio to function in this way for several reasons.
First and foremost, we are dead serious about the art of acting — and we mean real, personal, raw, and truthful acting.
Our ultimate goal is not to generate money by catering to as many actors as possible. Our emphasis is not on creating “stars.” We can help you land a gig, but it is not our exclusive focus. It’s also not a studio for part-time actors or weekend workshops.
We care about one thing primarily. Helping to elevate the art of acting by encouraging actors to be truthful when they work, and to help promote the art form as a humanitarian and healing one, thereby inspiring the respect the art form deserves. That’s it. How do we do that?
It’s not easy. It requires hard work and dedication. It requires us to thoroughly investigate ourselves and the myriad of complexities that motivate our human behavior. We do this for the sole purpose of authentically representing that behavior when we act.
In the investigation, we go deep into the hidden parts, the subconscious parts — and we delve into what’s personal — because we believe the most personal things are simultaneously the most universal. Because the investigation does get personal, we have set up strict rules when either studying or auditing a class. These rules are designed to help actors and instructors work safely.
This is why we have an application process. We take these rules seriously. We want to make sure that those we invite to watch will respect the actors at work.
The ZOOM platform has made it possible for us to continue to invite all our students in Italy and throughout the world to join us virtually.
The process unfolds in three transformative parts. The first is Relaxation, an exercise created and developed by Lee Strasberg, a gateway to self-discovery. The second is the actor’s personal exercise portion, a journey of introspection through Private Moment, Sense Memory or Animal Exercise, also designed by Mr. Strasberg. And, the third part of each class is Scene Work, where the culmination of an actor’s personal truths, behaviors, knowledge, and experience supports the writing. These are not independent exercises but a series of transformative steps, each informing the next, all in an effort to create a character and bring personal truths to life.
We often incorporate an exercise developed by the studio called the Present Exercise which demands that practitioners tell the unvarnished and deepest truth to their partner and challenge them by saying “I believe you” or I don’t believe you” or “I believe you but deeper.”
To join our mailing list, e-mail Mitzi Jones at lscostudios@gmail.com
Photos by Benedetta Rescigno — Rome study 2024 at Fivizzano27
“Gracemoon Theatre Company’s ethos of finding truth through performance is fully realized in this production. It is engaging, frustrating, existential, and profoundly thought-provoking. I left the theatre with more questions than I arrived with—a hallmark of rare, impactful art worth experiencing multiple times.”Alec Meeker, Bushwick Daily
A 501(c)3 arts organization and theatre company that explores the deepest truths of human behavior through the art of acting, operating in New York and Rome.
Gracemoon operates in New York and Rome.
It was founded in 2017 by Michèle Lonsdale Smith, its Co-Founder & Artistic Director, and became a 501(c)3 nonprofit in 2024.
Every performance closes with a moderated salon conversation between the cast and audience about the play’s subject matter — moving art into action.
It is Gracemoon’s training studio — a modality refined over more than 20 years of acting study, open to anyone seeking to understand their deeper truths, not only actors.
New applicants audit the Masterclass and Pre-Master Classes (a minimum of five times to be considered for study; audit-only is open to everyone). To begin, contact Mitzi Jones at lscostudios@gmail.com.
Yes — Gracemoon became a 501(c)3 nonprofit in 2024. You can support its work through donations and sponsorship on the Make Your Impact page.
Make Your Impact
Donations above $500 will receive a 501(c)3 certificate; for donations above $2,500 your name will be engraved on one of our VIP chairs.
For impacts over $10K, please contact gracemoonarts@gmail.com for wire information.
501(c)3 Tax Exempt Company. Varying levels of sponsorship and involvement. Alignment with a highly artistic and forward-thinking organization, with deep humanitarian intent and philanthropy at the core of its work. Opportunity to work with talented actors of note. Invite our members to speak at your events. Endorsesment opportunities. Access to the Gracemoon Company as a creative and educational resource.
“My brother Lloyd and I were at your performance earlier today and I just wanted to say congrats and thank you for such an inspiring performance and a soulful conversation afterwards.”Kenneth Ray
“What the world needs now is love sweet love”Hal David
…but how is that love activated? How is it truly shared? How does it sustain itself in the face of so much absolutism, self-preservation and cancellation?
“Sweet Love” in our case is not sugar-coated, but direct, and free of judgement. Truth. The deepest kind. Love.
Welcome to The Gracemoon Arts Company & Theatre
Contact
gracemoonarts@gmail.com
gracemoonboard@gmail.com
IG @gracemoonarts
www.gracemoonarts.org
Michèle Lonsdale Smith — Co-Founder / Artistic Director
Amrit Kaur — Board Chair
Mitzi Jones — Assistant Director · gracemoonboard@gmail.com
gracemoonitalia@gmail.com
IG @gracemoonartsitalia
Bianca Ceravolo — Artistic Administrator & Manager
Chiara Tomei — Project Manager
Nathalie Podbielski — Social Media Manager
Tue. Nov. 3rd – Sat. Nov. 7th
For the first time ever Gracemoon will open doors for a week long artistic experience for donors to watch open rehearsals + 3 nights of their theatrical production of What We're Up Against, by Theresa Rebeck.
You are not alone
Wine and chef crafted table, live music and comedy, art gallery, and trailers from our next season.
The Cast
Tuesday, November 3rd, 2026
Watch the actor's process in an open rehearsal.
*actors interested in training with Gracemoon are encouraged to watch the process
Buy TicketsWhat happens when a group of five architects are on deadline to design a new mall, but they can’t figure out where to place the air ducts? Set in a highly competitive architecture firm, What We’re Up Against by Theresa Rebeck, takes a 90-minute explosive look at the perennial gender battle still raging across Cubicle Land. This is a funny insightful view of being female in a male-dominated profession, and one woman’s response when she tires of slamming into the glass ceiling.
SAG-AFTRA & Equity cards will be checked at the door.
Refund and exchanges will be before the event week begins.
Ticket questions: gracemoonarts@gmail.com
This helps us furnish and beautify our new home.
Nothing grows without light! This helps us purchase theatre lights and ceiling grid for the new space.
Everything above, plus:
This ensures that we have a tech booth + episode of the A-hole podcast
Name on website and newsletter + 4 season tickets + named credit as Angel on the production or podcast episode you choose + 10 tickets to every Patron Week Event
DonateThis helps us build Gracemoon’s new home in Manhattan.
A named room in the Manhattan theatre in perpetuity + permanent listing as a Founder of the House + standing seats at every production in New York and Rome + invitation to the Rome residency as a guest of the company + open rehearsal access + the below
You’re the patron who helps mount a show for the upcoming season.
Named Season Patron in every playbill + 10 season tickets + dinner with company members + invitation to a private masterclass with Michèle + the below
This helps us hire any one of the following: Company Manager, Tech Director, PR / Marketing / Social Media Manager.
Name on a plaque in the theatre + 8 season tickets + opening night reception with the cast + the below
For contributions over $10K, please contact gracemoonarts@gmail.com for wire information.
Be part of it
Gracemoon is a 501(c)3 nonprofit. Your gift sustains the company, the theatre, and the conservatory — an international home for the artist, and a way of life for our communities to feel less alone.
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For impacts over $10K, please contact gracemoonarts@gmail.com for wire information.