DIANE M. SMITH HAS been involved in professional, semi-professional, community, and high school theatre for the past 45 years.  She has directed, designed, constructed, and/or worked crew on more than 250 theatrical productions. Diane was one of the co-founders of ‘The Young People’s Players’ a student theatre organization founded in 2001, which has now evolved into and operates as the Award Winning – ‘Children’s Playhouse of Maryland’ and is in residence at CCBC Essex. Diane proudly serves as the Artistic Director for this organization. Diane has a passion for working with students involved in the Arts and has dedicated her life to making that happen. In 2008 Diane received the Most Distinguished Alumni Award from CCBC for her contributions to the Baltimore Theatre Community and her work with young people in the Arts. By day, Diane is the Theatre Instructor, Artistic Director, and Department Chair for the Award Winning Theatre Arts Program at Beth Tfiloh High School in Owings Mills, where she was awarded “Teacher of the Year” honors for 2011. She currently resides in Maryland with her husband.