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Kia S. Smith

Founder

Executive Artistic Director

Resident Choreographer

South Chicago Dance Theatre

(708) 906-7237

 

***For more information, please visit http://www.southchicagodancetheatre.com/artisticdirector/***

 

EDUCATION

2019 Master of Fine Arts in Dance 

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee 

 

2010 Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance and Choreography

Western Michigan University

 

PRESS

2021 Choreographic Work and Curated Festival listed as one of New City Magazine’s Top 5 Events for November

2021 “Notably, all these collaborators are Black women at the top of their games playing on fields that have long been dominated by white men.” New City Magazine

2021 “One of Smith’s strengths is her ability to match movement to music. The legato lines in Montgomery’s music had long, smooth movements to match, at times spiced up with jerky physical interjections as punctuation points. There was great quivering and lots of rapid movement to complement the baroque section, which featured “Winter” from Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons”. Hyde Park Herald

2021 “Cartography,” Smith’s second evening-length work for SCDT, weaves structure and spontaneity, set scores and improvisation, all inspired by surrealist assemblage, the technique of incorporating everyday objects into a work. A surrealist poem by Smith provides connective tissue and an overall trajectory to the piece.” Hyde Park Herald

2021 “Kia Smith’s two new premieres, “I Too Sing America” and “Architect of a Dream,” nail down the flow and meter of the chosen works of language and speech, proving that these dancers and choreographer are, indeed, poets themselves.” See Chicago Dance

2021 New Premieres “I Too Sing America” and “Architect of a Dream” featured in Dance Magazine 

2020 Online feature in PBS American Portrait

2020 “With virtual South Chicago Dance Festival, Kia Smith is dancing cultural diplomacy.” See Chicago Dance

2020 “In only three seasons, Smith’s tireless efforts have resulted in remarkable growth for this company.” Chicago Tribune

2019 “Kia Smith’s young company has built a vibrant dance community that extends far beyond city limits.” New City Magazine

2018 “What may not be immediately clear is that Smith is an exceptional leader with the patience, fortitude, and creativity that will encourage the growth of SCDT and enrich each of the communities it touches.” Dancermusic.com

2016 “Kia Smith is one with the music.” Parisian Online Publication Tous Les Festivals

2013 “Choreography strong.” Chicago SunTimes 

 

CHOREOGRAPHY

2022 New Premiere (Ballet) Ruth Page Center for the Arts Chicago, Illinois

2022 New Premiere (Contemporary) Houston Contemporary Dance Company Houston, Texas

2022 “Quaminos Map”(Opera) Chicago Opera Theater Chicago, Illinois

         Artistic Director: Kimmille Howard

2022 “In Lieu Of Flowers” (Contemporary) South Chicago Dance Theatre Chicago, Illinois

2022 “Transcending Quiet” (Ballet) Chicago Repertory Ballet, Chicago, Illinois

2021 “Cause I Am a Woman” (Contemporary) Common Conservatory Chicago, Illinois

2021 “Cartography of Peace” (Dance Theatre) South Chicago Dance Theatre Chicago, Illinois

2021 “Ethos of Force” (Ballet) Madison Ballet Madison, Wisconsin

2021 “I Too Sing America” (Contemporary Jazz) South Chicago Dance Theatre Chicago, Illinois

2021 “Architect of a Dream” (Contemporary) South Chicago Dance Theatre Chicago, Illinois

2021 “In the Yard” (Contemporary) University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, Wisconsin

2020 Evening length work in collaboration with Choomna Art Center’s Joseph Kim and Choomna Dance Company Seoul, South Korea

2019 South Shore Opera Company of Chicago 10th Anniversary Concert Chicago, Illinois

2019 Movement B, Effervescence (Contemporary) SCDT Emerging Artist Program Chicago, Illinois

         In Collaboration with African American String Quartet D-Composed

2019 “Dancing Beyond the Borderline: An Immersive Performance Experience” (Multi-Disciplinary)   

          South Chicago Dance Theatre Chicago, Illinois

2019 “Line Zero, Low Mist” (Contemporary) Seoul, South Korea

In collaboration with Choomna Art Center’s Joseph Kim

2018 “Pathways to Retrospection” (Jazz) South Chicago Dance Theatre Chicago, Illinois

2018 “Store Closing” (Contemporary/Theatre) South Chicago Dance Theatre Chicago, Illinois

2017 "Into the Light" (Contemporary) South Chicago Dance Theatre Chicago, Illinois

2017 "The Poet" (Contemporary) South Shore Opera Company of Chicago Chicago, Illinois
2017 "1917" (Multi-Disciplinary) Sons D'hiver Jazz Festival Paris, France
2017 "In the Storm" (Contemporary Modern) Chicago Home Theatre Festival/University of Chicago Chicago, Illinois
2016 "Song from the Uproar" (Contemporary) Chicago Fringe Opera Directed by Amy Hutchison Chicago, Illinois
2016 "Live the Spirit Residency Big Band" Englewood Jazz Festival (Improvised 60 Minute Solo) Chicago, Illinois
2016 "Ancient to the Future, Great Migrations" (Contemporary) Jacob Caruthers Center for Inner City Studies Chicago, Illinois
2016 "Be Thankful You're Not Ugly" (Multi-Disciplinary) The Chicago Home Theatre Festival Chicago, Illinois
2013 “Troubled Island” (Modern, Afro Haitian) The South Shore Opera Company of Chicago Directed by Amy Hutchison Chicago, Illinois

2013 “Things that Cannot Be Seen Any Other Way: The Art of Manuel Mendive” The California African American Museum (Improvised 30 Minute Duet) Los Angeles, California

 

PUBLICATIONS

2022 Imagining: A Gibney Journal New York, New York

              This article will be published in September 2022

 

AWARDS/SCHOLARSHIPS

2021 Chicago Dancemakers Forum Lab Artist Award

2021 3 Arts Make A Wave Award

2021 Jacobs Pillow Ann & Weston Hicks Choreographic Fellowship

2020 American Dance Festival Leadership Scholarship Recipient

2020 Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events Individual Artist Grant

2018 New York City Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation Observership Recipient

2018 Metropolitan Board of the Chicago Urban League Young and Ambitious Entrepreneurship Award Recipient

2018 International Association of Blacks in Dance Joan Myers Brown Artist Development Fund Recipient

2018 University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Advanced Opportunity Program Fellow Recipient

2017 University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Chancellors Award Recipient

2017 University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Dance Departmental Award Recipient

2010 Western Michigan University Dalton Music and Dance Scholarship Recipient

2010 American Dance Festival Staff Assistant Scholarship Award Recipient

2009 Western Michigan University Dalton Music and Dance Scholarship Recipient

2008, 2009 American Dance Festival Tuition Scholarship Award Recipient
 

PANELS

2021 Northwestern University, Katherine Dunham Legacy Panel

2021 University of Wisconsin-Madison, Guest Lecturer

2021 Oakland University, Guest Lecturer

2021 International Association of Blacks in Dance “Open Space” Series Host 

2021 African American Arts Alliance “Black Dance Focus on You” Series Panelist

2019 AKArama Foundation The Power and Evolution of Black Dance

2019 See Chicago Dance Moving Dialogues 

2018 International Association of Blacks in Dance A Conversation with Women of Color Arts Leaders

 

RESIDENCIES

2022, 2023 Clff Dwellers Artist in Residence Program 

2020/2021 University of Wisconsin-Madison 

2020 Double Edge Theatre Ashfield, Massachusetts

2019 Young Auditorium, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater      

2019 Choomna Art Center Seoul, South Korea

2019 Rebuild Foundation Chicago, Illinois

2018 Choomna Art Center Seoul, South Korea

2016 Vienna International Dance Festival, Vienna, Austria

              

 

CURATORIAL

2022 An Evening With the South Chicago Dance Theatre: Celebrating Five Years

2021 South Chicago Dance Theatre Presents South Chicago Dance Festival

2020 South Chicago Dance Theatre Presents South Chicago Dance Festival

2019 South Chicago Dance Theatre Presents South Chicago Dance Festival

2018 An Evening With the South Chicago Dance Theatre

 

 

MEMBERSHIPS

Chicago Dancers United Advisory Council Member 2021

Executive Service Corps Advisory Council Member 2021

Western Michigan University Black Alumni Council 2021

International Association of Blacks in Dance 2010-Current

International Documentation for Contemporary Dance Educators
Servas United States 2014-2015
Metropolitan Board of the Chicago Urban League

General Body Member 2017-2021
Personal and Professional Development Committee 2016-2017
Nominations Committee Chair 2016
Community Service Committee 2015-2016

Kia S. Smith

6140 S Woodlawn

Chicago, IL 60637

(708) 906-7237

Kia.s.smith@gmail.com   

 

OBJECTIVE: Develop skills as a professional dancer, choreographer, educator, and curator that will later inform my work as an Artistic Director and Scholar of Dance.

 

QUALIFICATIONS: Background as a touring concert dancer, choreographer and educator of dance in various idioms, self-motivated, organized, and dependable.

 

EDUCATION:

2006-2010 Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance and Choreography, Western Michigan University

Nina Nelson, Bartenieff, Laban,

Jane Baas, Dance Kinesiology, 20th Century American Dance History, Choreography

Mitzi Adams, Improvisation

Sharon Garber, Ballet, Pointe, Pedagogy

David Curwen, Ballet, Choreography

Carolyn Pavlik, Modern, Choreography, Conditioning

Whitney Moncrief, Modern

Meghan Slayter, Dance Management/Grant Writing, Lighting and Staging

 

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING:

2002-Current The Joel Hall Dancers and Center

Joel Hall, Jazz

Birute Barodicate, Ballet

William Gill, Horton

2004-Current Hyde Park School of Dance

August Tye, Ballet

Tracey Franklin, Horton

2008-2010 American Dance Festival

Gerri Houlihan, Modern
Shani Collins, Modern, Repertory

Brenda Daniels, Cunningham

Ruth Andrien, Taylor

Ursula Payne, Pearl Primus Research and Repertory

Pamela Pietro Modern

Rodger Belman, Repertory

 

SCHOLARSHIPS/AWARDS

-find out what scholarships I received at wmu

2008-2009 American Dance Festival Tuition Scholarship

2010 American Dance Festival Staff Assistant Scholarship

 

PERFORMANCE

Concert Dance

2015-2016 Red Clay Dance Chicago, IL

“Diamond in the RUF” (Afro Contemporary) Vershawn Ward

“Sistahs” (Afro Contemporary) Vershawn Ward

2013-2014 The Joel Hall Dancers Chicago, IL

“Nuts and Bolts” (Jazz) Joel Hall

“Y 2Day”(Jazz) Joel Hall

“Flight” (Horton) William Gill

“Rush” (Contemporary) Jared Kelly

2011-2013 The Lula Washington Dance Theatre Los Angeles, CA

Annual Kwanzaa Celebration (West African, Modern) Lula Washington

“Little Rock 9” (Modern) Lula Washington

“Warrior Woman” (Solo, Modern, African) Lula Washington

“Global Village” (Modern) Lula Washington

“We Wore the Mask” (Modern) Lula Washington

“Ode to the 60s” (Jazz, Modern) Lula Washington

“Connections” (Jazz, Modern, Social Dances) Lula Washington

“Random Thoughts” (Jazz) Lula Washington

“Message to my Peeps” (Modern) Tamica Washington-Miller

“Reign” (Hip Hop) Rennie Harris

“Love Is” (Contemporary) Christopher Huggins

“Rhumba Trio” (Dunham) Katherine Dunham

“Songs of the Disinherited” (Modern) Donald Mckayle

“Thrinity” (Contemporary) Vincent Patterson

Dr Johnsons work

2010-2011 Dayton Contemporary Dance Company 2 Dayton, OH

“Joy to the World”(Modern) Debbie Blunden Diggs

“I am God”(Modern) Debbie Blunden Diggs

Crystals work...add to bio

“Pixilated Beauty” (Contemporary) Marlayna Locklear

“Excuse Me” (Contemporary Jazz) William McClellan Jr.

“I Told Jesus” (Modern) Shonna Hickman-Matlock

“I’ll Be Home” (Contemporary) Robert Priore

2006-2010 Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MI

Performed works by Carolyn Pavlik (Release technique), Derrick Evans (Jazz), David Curwen (Contemporary Ballet), and as a part of the student touring company Western Dance Project.

 

Other

2015 The Art Institute Chicago Gala (Dancer) Choreographed by Harrison McEldowney Chicago, IL

2015 The Freedom Principle Exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary Art

 “Afterword” Film (Dancer, Actor)

Directed by Catherine Sullivan in partnership with the Museum of Contemporary Art and the University of Chicago Chicago, IL

2014 The School at the Art Institute Chicago Spring Fashion Show (Dancer, Model)

Designs by Nick Cave, Choreographed by William Gill

2013 “Things that Cannot Be Seen Any Other Way: The Art of Manuel Mendive”

The California African American Museum (Dancer) Choreography Improvised

2013 Young Musicians Foundation Spring Concert with Actor Jack Black

(Dancer “The Devil”, Choreographers Assistant) Choreographed by Tamica Washington-Miller Los Angeles, CA

2012 “Loving the Silent Tears” an original musical (Dancer) choreographed by Bonnie Story and Lula Washington, directed by Vincent Patterson

2012 “12 Miles North” a live performance honoring Nick Gabaldon (Dancer, Choreographers Assistant) Choreographed by Tamica Washington-Miller, Produced by Nike

 

CHOREOGRAPHY

2015 “From Out of the Depths” (Afro Modern, Solo) The Logan Center for the Arts and Delve Choreographers Showcase Chicago, IL

2014 “Urinetown” (Musical Theatre, Jazz) Guerin College Prepatory Highschool Directed by Kristen Mackie

2013 “Troubled Island” (Modern, Hatian) The South Shore Opera Company Directed by Amy Hutchison

2013 “Merge” (Contemporary Large Group) Lula Washington Dance Theatre Youth Ensemble

2010 “Lakwena” (Afro Modern Large Group) “Common Anamoly” Western Michigan University Graduating Presentation

TEACHING

2014-2016 Columbia College Chicago Center for Community Arts Partnerships

Ballet, Horton, Jazz, Tap Ages 5-12

Mahalia Jackson Elementary, Thorp Elementary

2014-2016 Forward Momentum Chicago

Ballet Ages 5-8

Wentworth Elementary, Ogden International East

Integrated Dance into the School day at Blaine Elementary

2014-2016 Kenwood Academy of Ballet

Ballet, Tap, Horton, West African

Ages 5-12

2011-2013 The School at the Lula Washington Dance Theatre

Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop

Ages 3-10

2006 The University of Chicago Sports Camp

Jazz Ages 10-13

 

 

CERTIFICATIONS

American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum

Pre Primary-Level 3, Project Plie Partner Teacher

 

MEMBERSHIPS

Metropolitan Board of the Chicago Urban League

Community Service Committee Member



 

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