Kia S. Smith
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
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