From Cedar Shoals High School to the bright lights of Broadway, Calvin Orlando Smith is an accomplished performer who has his roots here in Athens.
Calvin Orlando Smith is both a talented performer and an accomplished academic. His performance accolades include three Broadway shows, seven national tours, and too many concerts to count. Smith premiered on Broadway as Cecco in Peter Pan. In 1993, the historic Morton Theatre here in Athens reopened with Smith’s one – man show. Recently, Smith sang backup with Garth Brooks on his stadium tour. Additionally, Smith made his Carnegie Hall debut in June 2022 with Brahms’ “Requiem”, a feat that is a career aspiration for many performers.
Smith made it a point to complete his degree from the University of Georgia over the course of his performing arts career. Taking advantage of evening classes, study abroad, and correspondence courses, Smith completed his UGA degree in 2000. He would go onto to continue his education at Cambridge University and Calvin Orlando Smith was the first African American to be accepted to and receive a degree from the department of history of art and architecture. Smith graduated from Cambridge University in 2004 with a master’s degree in philosophy.