Don Ray Smith, “Growing up White on Wilson!”

Reggie Van Stockum

1 month ago

I first met Don Ray Smith in that wonderful readers and writers group called the Cherokee Roundtable in Louisville, Kentucky. He is a humorist and would read a number of his essays at our meetings, many of which had been published in our local newspaper. Don went on to publish books with collections of his essays. So we would put on book launch shows at Ken and Sheila Pyles’ Rudyard Kipling Restaurant and Theatre on Oak Street in Old Louisville. That’s where I met Rush Trowel, the stage producer.

It was at Rush’s Theatre, Faith Works Studio, that I saw Don premier his work, “Growing up White on Wilson.” I knew then, that Don’s story of growing up in the segregated west end of Louisville had something important to say. Stunningly honest and sincere, Don’s character spoke of his own journey, while not criticizing ours.

Don later performed a shortened version for my variety show in Shelbyville, Kentucky. The audience was suprised by his presentation. Growing up white in a black neighborhood is not a usual topic of today’s stage. Uncomfortable, maybe. But it is still relevant today, and Don’s memories meaningful. We can all benefit by remembering how far we have come, and have’t.

On January 16, 2026, Don Ray Smith presented the full, two act version of his play at the Memories Event Venue in Frankfort, Kentucky. I was authorized to video tape the production. Both acts can be found on my YouTube Site (Reggie Van Stockum) under the “White on Wilson” playlist.

You can find the First Act by clicking HERE! or on the link or video below: