Vance Smith has been working in Chicago as an actor, director and producer since 1997. In 2007, he founded Black Sheep Productions, where he served as Artistic Director and directed Steve Spencer’s Another Day in the Empire and Camp Freedom!, Andy Gershenzon’s The End and produced Will Eno’s The Flu Season. He has also directed workshops, one-acts and readings at Stage Left, Chicago Dramatists and the side project. As an actor Vance appeared at Stage Left in M.E.H. Lewis’s Fellow Travellers and worked with Lifeline, Timeline, Hypocrites, Remy Bumppo, Northlight, Victory Gardens, Collaboraction, Factory, and many others. Vance attended the School at Steppenwolf in 2005 and graduated from Tulane University.

Asked for his thoughts about the appointment, Vance says, " I am honored the ensemble has chosen me to lead the company during this period of transition and renewal, and am excited to work with this extremely talented group of artists to advance the noble mission of political and social debate that guides Stage Left."