ROGUE SHAKESPEARE®
The Ultimate Renaissance Man
Rogue Shakespeare® is Ryan J-W Smith’s artistic pseudonym, as well as the name of his critically-acclaimed international theatre company that has been producing his award-winning verse plays since 2001.
choose your artform
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the plays
To date, Ryan J-W Smith (aka ‘Rogue Shakespeare’) has written 7 critically acclaimed and award-winning/nominated verse plays, including his award-winning romantic comedy, Love Labours Won; his award-winning farce, MacDeth!, his award-nominated farce, Romeo & Juliet it Ain’t!, his Amnesty International Freedom of Expression Award-nominated one-man show, New World Order, and his OFFIE award-winning one-woman show, Pretty, Witty Nell®.
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the sonnets
To date, Ryan J-W Smith (aka ‘Rogue Shakespeare’) has written over 3.2k (3,200) Shakespearean sonnets – more than anyone else in history.
An unrivalled and critically-acclaimed demonstration of a poet’s absolute mastery of his craft, Rogue Shakespeare’s Sonnets – Truth in Verse – parts I, II & III (collectively known as ‘Rogue Shakespeare’s Bible‘) contains over 2,700 of Smith’s personal/spiritual/political/prophetic sonnets, written as the epic verse diary of Smith’s alter ego, ‘Rogue Shakespeare’, from June 2006 through to September 11, 2024.
Just released via Virgin Music – an album of 50 of Smith’s sonnets – the first album of many!
Click an icon to stream or download on your favourite music player
the music
A musician since the age of five, Smith's first 2 solo albums 'Deep in the Shallows' and 'Samsara' were originally released with Universal Music in 2006. Both albums demonstrated Smith's musical prowess in piano, guitar, keyboards, singing, rap, composition, lyrics and production.
In January 2025, both albums were re-released under Smith's pseudonym, 'Rogue Shakespeare', via Virgin Music Group.
Also released by Rogue Shakespeare so far in 2025: his 3rd album 'Sidewalk Symphony' (a collaborative album with Conflux Coldwell); his debut EP single 'Open Your Eyes'; his hour-long meditation (4th) album 'In Memoriam Meditation'; and his 5th album, 'Slice of Life'.
the films
To date, Rogue Shakespeare’s films have received 25 international film festival wins, nominations or selections, including a selection for the short film corner at the 65th Cannes Film Festival.
the podcast
– JUST LAUNCHED! –
Award-winning poet and festival-winning filmmaker, Ryan J-W Smith (aka ‘Rogue Shakespeare’), interviews courageous speakers on controversial issues affecting everyday people…
…then instantly writes and performs a bespoke new sonnet for his interviewee based on their conversation – LIVE!
Rogue Shakespeare interviewing Professor Noam Chomsky.
– JUST LAUNCHED! –
the man
Find out more about Ryan J-W Smith, the man behind ‘Rogue Shakespeare®’
Smith, dedicating the award to his late father when collecting the International Award at the Ricardo Montalbán Theatre, Hollywood, CA
Also click below for a quick-link to Rogue Shakespeare’s Director/Producer resume for film and stage
As well as some highlights of his career as an actor
❤️🎵🥹📻 LISTEN TO ROGUE RADIO! 📻🎵🥹❤️
Listen to over 5 albums of emotive music by Rogue Shakespeare® as you browse this website!
Just hit either of the play buttons below to listen via Apple Music or Spotify
on Apple Music since January 2025
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on Apple Music since January 2025