Bobbi Jene Smith is a director, choreographer, and dancer, who makes work for both live theater and film. Her work explores affect and apathy, domestic politics, and the rhythmic and formal connections between music and movement. She danced for the Batsheva Company from 2005–2014.
Since then she has choreographed original work for the Paris Opera Ballet, The Royal Danish Ballet, Martha Graham Dance Company, Ballet BC, Los Angeles Dance Project, VAIL Dance Festival, the Batsheva Dance Company, and others. Her dance and music theater works have been presented and
supported by the American Repertory Theater, PS 122, La Mama, ODC Theater, Stanford Live, Carolina Performing Arts, Kaufman Hall at the 92nd St. Y, Luminato, Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, Betty Nansen Theater, and others.
Additionally, she has starred in or choreographed films including Elvira Lind's BOBBI JENE, Maggie Gyllenhaal’s THE BRIDE, Alex Garland's ANNIHILATION, Georgia Parris’s MARI, and Boaz Yakin’s AVIVA. She has directed her own dance films including BROKEN THEATER and GALLOP APACE.
Smith is an alumnus of the Juilliard School, North Carolina School of the Arts, and Royal Winnipeg School. She is a founding member of the American Modern Opera Company (AMOC). In 2019 she was awarded The Harkness Promise Award and was The Martha Duffy Resident Artist at Baryshnikov
Art Center. In 2024, she was awarded the Wilhelm Foundation Award.
Between the years 2022–2024 Smith was Artist In Residence at the Los Angeles Dance Project.
Photo: Vincent Tullo