Augustin Fresnel
Augustin Fresnel: Through A New Lens
Augustin Fresnel: Through A New Lens is a Living History portrayal of one man’s fascination with “finding the solution to the many questions in that inexhaustible range of science.” His journey reveals a lifetime of personal challenges, scientific curiosity, and innovative achievements. Fresnel's courage and perseverance, along with guidance from his mentor, Francois Arago, unfolds in an engaging story that brings to life Augustin Fresnel's personal legacy of "illuminating the seas, saving lives and creating new light in new venues yet to come."
Performance is 35 - 40 minutes followed by a Q&A/audience discussion
Inventor of the Fresnel lens for lighthouses throughout the world.
Upcoming 2026 Performances
TBA
Recent / Past Performances
Currituck Beach Lighthouse, NC - November 2025
150th Anniversary
Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse, MD - November 2025
150th Anniversary
2025 Maritime Heritage Conference - September 2025 Buffalo NY
Hudson Athens Lighthouse October 2024
150th Anniversary
Hereford Inlet Lighthouse May 2024
150th Anniversary
"Augustin Fresnel and the Lighthouses of Long Island" Zoom 2024
Lilac Preservation Project 90th Anniversary October 2023
2023 Michigan Lighthouse Festival
Outer Banks Lighthouse Society 2023 Keepers Weekend April 2023 Ocracoke Lighthouse 200th Anniversary
(made possible in part with a grant from North Carolina Humanities)
Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse Rhode Island 2022
"Theatre, History and the Lighthouses of Long Island" 2022 (Zoom)
American Lighthouse Foundation Gala 2022
Fire Island Lighthouse Preservation Society 2021
"Theatre, History and the Lighthouses of Long Island" Oct. 2021 (Zoom)
2021 Michigan Lighthouse Festival
"Theatre, History and the Lighthouses of Long Island" 2021 (Zoom)
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse's 150th Anniversary Dec. 2020 (video)
Florida Lighthouse Association Fall Meeting Amelia Island October 2019
2019 Michigan Lighthouse Festival
American Lighthouse Foundation 25th Annual Gala 2019
Fire Island Lighthouse Preservation Society 2018
Montauk Lighthouse 2018
Michigan Lighthouse Alliance - 2018 International Lighthouse Conference
(made possible in part with 2018 Michigan Humanities Quick Grant)
Fire Island Lighthouse Preservation Society 2017
Horton Point Lighthouse (Southold Historical Society) 2017
New London Maritime Society/Custom House Maritime Museum 2017
National Lighthouse Museum* (DCA Art Fund Grant Staten Island Arts) December 2016 *Debut Performance
Light Hearted Podcast Interview link:
Joseph Smith as Augustin Fresnel at Fire Island Lighthouse (Photo courtesy of Leon Gurinsky)
Augustin-Jean Fresnel Reviews
Currituck Beach Lighthouse's 150th Anniversary November 2025
"I admittedly did not know what to expect from Joseph Smith's Augustin Fresnel performances in December of 2025 in celebration of the Currituck Beach Lighthouse's 150th Anniversary. I can truthfully say that I was thoroughly delighted, entertained and educated by Mr. Smith's characterization and play. Facts about Augustin Fresnel were deftly woven into a performance that was both touching and humorous at times. Mr. Smith is an artful storyteller, and I would highly recommend this performance and any other historical portrayals he has up his sleeve! In addition, he is also very, very easy to work with."
Tameron T. Kugler, Director
The Northern Outer Banks
Photo by Aida Doss Havel (cropped)
Currituck Beach Lighthouse's 150th Anniversary November 2025
"Joseph Smith's Augustin Fresnel: Through A New Lens was a standout feature of the Currituck Beach Lighthouse's 150th anniversary celebration. His engaging and historically-grounded one-man play brought the 100+ celebrants who attended his two shows the story behind the Fresnel lens--especially meaningful at a lighthouse where a first-order lens remains an active aid to navigation. Having seen his work previously at Ocracoke's 200th anniversary, we were thrilled to bring him to Currituck and would highly recommend him to others."
Meghan Agresto, Site Manager
Currituck Beach Lighthouse
Photo by John Havel
Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse's 150th Anniversary November 2025
"We had the pleasure of hosting Joseph Smith performing as Augustin-Jean Fresnel during the sold-out 150th Anniversary Celebration of the Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse in November. He brought Augustin to life. He was both entertaining and informative, giving us a fresh appreciation for the invention that transformed maritime history. If you ever have the opportunity to see his performance, it’s well worth your time!"
John Potvin, Lighthouse Manager
Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse
Photo by James Stein at Annapolis Maritime Museum
Hereford Inlet Lighthouse's 150th Anniversary May 2024
"The presentation by Mr. Joseph Smith about the life of Augustin Fresnel was the highlight of the 150th Birthday Party for the Hereford Inlet Lighthouse. It was very important for our local Lighthouse community to understand the origin of the 4th Order Fresnel lens that was placed in our Lighthouse in 1874. The story is fascinating and inspiring regarding Mr. Fresnel's dedication to his work. His determination to produce the best lens for lighthouses has saved countless lives over the years. I highly recommend Mr. Smith and his performance to any lighthouse that desires to learn the real story of how one man changed and improved history."
W. Scott Jett, RMC, CMR
City Clerk and Town Historian
City of North Wildwood, NJ
Photo by Donna Dimino
Outer Banks Lighthouse Society's 2023 Keeper's Weekend & Ocracoke Lighthouse's 200th Anniversary
"In a performance worthy of Broadway, Joseph Smith became the character Fresnel, with drama, humor, emotion, and intensity...capturing Fresnel's early life, his education and studies, his disappointments and triumphs, Joseph engaged and enthralled the crowd with his illuminating (pun intended) performance...Remarkable and entertaining."
John Havel, OBLHS Board Member
Photo courtesy of John Havel
Augustin-Jean Fresnel Reviews
2022 American Lighthouse Foundation Gala
I am so honored to have performed for the American Lighthouse Foundation and afterwards to be honored with ALF's Keeper of the Light award!
Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.
https://lighthousefoundation.org/2022/05/joseph-smith-honored-with-keeper-of-the-light-award/
American Lighthouse Foundation's 25th Lighthouse Gala - 2019
"Mr. Fresnel to Mr. Smith..."please tell my story." Not only has Joseph Smith done just that, his performance is so stellar and accurately portrayed that it makes one feel as if they actually have had the chance to meet and talk with Augustin Fresnel in the present. In some incredible way that words cannot adequately explain, the audience has indeed met Mr. Fresnel through such a timeless performance. Bravo Joseph Smith!"
Bob Trapani, Jr.
Executive Director, American Lighthouse Foundation
Photo courtesy of Dominic Trapani
Michigan Lighthouse Festival 2019,2021 and 2023
"Joseph Smith is a magical artist who gives his portrayals in such a unique manner that he makes the audience feel that they have gone back in time! Forty five minutes of a brilliant, passionate and entertaining performance! He leaves the audience in awe and they want to hear more!"
Marge Ellenberger
Director, Michigan Lighthouse Festival