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

Gracemoon New York

Rome · Italia

Gracemoon 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

About

About Gracemoon

History of Gracemoon How We Work Leadership

History of Gracemoon

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.

Michèle Lonsdale Smith, Actor, Director, Educator, and Co-Founder/Artistic Director of The Gracemoon Arts Company · Photo: Randall Ross

Gracemoon company members in sensory and movement work

Photo: Daria Baglieri

Everything has been figured out, except how to live.Jean-Paul Sartre

…and how to live together.

How We Work

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.

Real and true human connection is needed more than ever.

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.

Leadership

Gracemoon New York

Michèle Lonsdale SmithCo-Founder & Artistic DirectorRead bio →

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.

Gracemoon Italia

Bianca CeravoloArtistic Administrative Assistant

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Gracemoon Arts Company?

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.

Where is Gracemoon located?

Gracemoon operates in New York and Rome.

Who founded Gracemoon, and when?

It was founded in 2017 by Michèle Lonsdale Smith, its Co-Founder & Artistic Director, and became a 501(c)3 nonprofit in 2024.

What makes a Gracemoon performance different?

Every performance closes with a moderated salon conversation between the cast and audience about the play’s subject matter — moving art into action.

What is the LS&CO Conservatory for the Humanitarian Arts?

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.

How can I audit or study at the conservatory?

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.

Is Gracemoon a nonprofit, and how can I support it?

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

Gracemoon New York

Marc-Antoine Kelertasfull member &Gracemoon Italia member

All Photos & Videos: Randall Ross

Gracemoon Italia

Italian Dossier

“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+

Theatre

Cinema on Stage Archival Plays Reviews

Cinema on Stage

Archival Plays

Il Giocattolaio (Toyer) by Gardner McKay — May 2026

What We’re Up Against by Theresa Rebeck — Nov/Dec 2024

Intimate Apparel by Lynn Nottage — Sept 2024

The Niceties by Eleanor Burgess — Aug 2024

Venus in Fur (Venere in Pelliccia) by David Ives — May 2023

The Dreamer Examines his Pillow (Il Segno sul Cuscino) by John Patrick Shanley — May 2023

Conversations

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.

Post-show conversation in the Gracemoon salon — The Gracemeon Arts Company inaugurated The A-Hole Podcast in front of a live audience recently at the Firehouse. We talked all the stuff beginning with A. April 2026.

Reviews

“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

“If you weren’t paying attention, you might’ve missed it: over the summer, a new theatre opened in Bushwick and, in the few months since, it has been hosting shows while earning the trust of locals through its groundbreaking performances and in-depth post-show discussions.”Ian Kumamoto, TimeOut NY

“Many theatre goers would say what’s most unique about the plays at Gracemoon Arts is the conversation that comes after it. Following the plays, the cast and audience members gather together to discuss the topics that arise in the play. These conversations are held in Gracemoon’s salon where audience members can decompress from the heavy topics.”Brianna Robles, BKReader

“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

“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+

“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

“Just real as fuck.”Harris Ansari

Italian Press

“Questa pièce, forte di un testo potente e curata da una regia attenta e a tratti originale, permette di vedere la compagnia sotto una luce diversa”, restituendo un teatro “capace di spogliarsi e donarsi in modo inaspettato”, con un impatto “diretto e viscerale sullo spettatore”.HuffPost Italia

“La messinscena si trasforma in un organismo scenico vivo e istintivo”, guidato da una regia che “porta in superficie le tensioni più nascoste dell’essere umano”, confermando un’operazione “originale e di grande interesse” per la Compagnia Gracemoon Art.Brainstorming Culturale

Il lavoro si distingue per “una prova teatrale complessa e stratificata, fatta di intensità emotiva e continua trasformazione”, sostenuta da una regia “coerente e precisa”, capace di valorizzare un universo scenico “vivo, ambiguo e profondamente umano”.Eroica Fenice

The Studio

4 Steps to Audit

LS&CO Conservatory Acting Studio for the Humanitarian Arts

Conscious / Unconscious Acting

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

Auditor Position

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.

Francesco Filpa & Edoardo Codini — Francesco Filpa (foreground) & Edoardo Codini

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.

Mitzi Jones helping students — Mitzi Jones — Senior InstructorE-mail Mitzi Jones at lscostudios@gmail.com

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.”

4 Steps to Audit

1) Create an application by emailing Mitzi Jones at lscostudios@gmail.com

2) Have a video chat conversation with me Mitzi to go over the auditing requirements.

3) Send a 1 minute video application for Michèle, our creative director, to view.

4) Sign an auditor release form and send the signed copy back before auditing.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Gracemoon Arts Company?

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.

Where is Gracemoon located?

Gracemoon operates in New York and Rome.

Who founded Gracemoon, and when?

It was founded in 2017 by Michèle Lonsdale Smith, its Co-Founder & Artistic Director, and became a 501(c)3 nonprofit in 2024.

What makes a Gracemoon performance different?

Every performance closes with a moderated salon conversation between the cast and audience about the play’s subject matter — moving art into action.

What is the LS&CO Conservatory for the Humanitarian Arts?

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.

How can I audit or study at the conservatory?

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.

Is Gracemoon a nonprofit, and how can I support it?

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

Your Contribution

$100KThis helps us build Gracemoon’s new home in Manhattan. $50KYou’re the patron who helps mount a show for the upcoming season. $25KThis helps us hire any one of the following: Company Manager, Tech Director, PR / Marketing / Social Media Manager. $10KThis ensures that we have a tech booth. $10K…or you’re the angel who makes the A•HOLE podcast come to life on your favorite streamer. $5KNothing grows without light! This helps us purchase theatre lights and ceiling grid for the new space. $2500This helps us furnish and beautify our new home. $1-2499Any donation amount helps grow our vision.

Donations above $500 will receive a 501(c)3 certificate; for donations above $2500 your name will be engraved on one of our VIP chairs.

For impacts over $10K, please contact gracemoonarts@gmail.com for wire information.

Donate

Donors

Amrit Kaur

Sonja Perkins

Hamza Haq

Women Moving Millions

Joe Risico

Phuong Phillips

Bijal Vakil

Beesham A Seecharan

Opportunity

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

Gracemoon Company — New York

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

Gracemoon Italia

gracemoonitalia@gmail.com
IG @gracemoonartsitalia

Bianca Ceravolo — Artistic Administrator & Manager
Chiara Tomei — Project Manager
Nathalie Podbielski — Social Media Manager

Gracemoon New York

Gracemoon Italia

About Gracemoon

History of Gracemoon

How We Work

Real and true human connection is needed more than ever.

Leadership

Frequently Asked Questions

Meet the Company

Gracemoon New York

Gracemoon Italia

Theatre

Cinema on Stage

Archival Plays

Conversations

Reviews

Italian Press

The Studio

Conscious / Unconscious Acting

Auditor Position

4 Steps to Audit

Frequently Asked Questions

Make Your Impact

Your Contribution

Donors

Opportunity

Contact

Gracemoon Company — New York

Gracemoon Italia

Make Your Impact

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