Josh Smith

Joshua Smith, better known by his skating entertainment name Batsmoke or Batman, is an elite roller skater, choreographer, performer, trainer, and SAG actor. He's best known for his role in the award-winning documentary, United Skates, which can currently be streamed on HBO Max and Hulu. The documentary won the Audience Award at the 2018 Tribeca Film Festival and was nominated for a 2020 Emmy Award.

His most recent work was with the new Disney production, Saturdays, as the assistant choreographer, skate trainer, and casting associate. He was also the skate choreographer and trainer on the Steppenwolf Theatre play, 1919, which showed through the end of October 2022.

Aside from Joshua's collaboration with various projects, groups, and TV shows such as Power Book IV: Force, Empire, and The Chi, he was the winner of “Best Male in the Middle” for six consecutive years at the Adrenaline Awards. He took first place at several national skating competitions, won two Skate Master’s championships, and twelve national skating titles, and performed a short stint with the UniverSoul Circus. He has been featured in multiple international music festivals, and news articles, and hired to perform live on stage in London.

In 2015, Joshua and two of his skating partners formed the roller skating entertainment group the Glide8orz. The Glide8orz showcases live entertainment for weddings, corporate/political events, parades, talent shows, birthday parties and so much more. They perform live every month at the Chicago supper club, Untitled where you can go see their show.

Joshua has been an active member of two highly recognized skate groups, The Suicide Kings and the Trendsettas. His involvement with both groups has allowed him to build brotherhoods with skaters from all over the world.

When Joshua is not performing, traveling, or working on set, his time is spent teaching skates lessons, serving as a consultant/advisor in the skate community, and skating at local rinks in the Chicagoland area.

“God saved my soul, skating saved my life.”

- Josh Smith