Leslie Louis Smith IV, 49, passed away January 19, 2019. Leslie received his Bachelors in Creative Writing and MA in Educational Theater from NYU. He was earning a PhD in Interdisciplinary Media Arts and Sciences from the School of Arts, Media + Engineering (AME) at ASU’s Herberger Institute for Design and Arts. At the time of his death, Leslie was newly appointed as the Program Manager of the Synthesis Center at ASU where he coordinated the uniquely diverse, international activities of the Center while at the same time pursuing his PhD. He began his career as a literary intern at the 1991 Young Playwrights Festival. His career includes positions with the New York Theater Workshop, The Public Theater, The Theater Development Fund, and Jujamcyn Theaters. He curated materials for LA Independent Film Festival, and The Sundance Institute and worked as a development consultant to Mirimax, FineLine Features, and Paramount Classics. As a playwright, his works include Somewhere In Between (Carousel Theater Co) and a one-man show, was in workshop for NYTW and at The Public Theater. Leslie founded Revelation Theater, which he operated as Artistic Director and as Producing Artistic Director from 2000-2005. There he directed Temporary Help off-Broadway in 2002. Leslie was a member of the League of Off-Broadway Theaters and Producers where he served on the Administration Committee for the Lucille Lortel Awards from 2004-2008. His social services experience includes senior strategy positions for the American Red Cross (9/11-Katrina), United Way of New York State's 2-1-1 Initiative and managing inter-agency initiatives for government and nonprofit corporations in social service fields in New York City. He served on the board of The Trevor Project for the agency's first five years. He has produced special events that have raised more the $25 million for various charities close to his heart. His cultural fiction novel was named a 2015 Readers Favorite Finalist. As a filmmaker, Smith wrote, produced and directed David Searching which received a 1997 US theatrical release, played over 45 Domestic and International Film Festivals, and was added to the UCLA Film Archives Legacy Project permanent collection in 2011. Leslie is survived by his father, a sister, three uncles and seven cousins. He is preceded in death by his mother, grandparents and two aunts. There was a memorial visitation in Phoenix, AZ on February 2, 2019. There will be a memorial visitation in Benton, Arkansas on February 9, 2019 from 1-3 at the Fairfield Inn and Suites, 17320 Interstate 30 North, Benton, Arkansas 72019 followed by a private graveside service at the family cemetery on Wye Mountain. There will be a memorial visitation in NYC this summer. (Source: ASU Foundation)