Meet new LINES Ballet dancer Amanda Smith! A former company member with Dance Theatre of Harlem, Charlotte Ballet, and The Black Iris Project, Amanda brings a dynamic versatility and artistry to Alonzo King’s choreography. Throughout her career, Amanda has worked with prolific artists such as Arthur Mitchell and William Forsythe. She also performed as a guest artist in Debbie Allen’s Hot Chocolate Nutcracker and was featured on the cover of Dance Magazine. Learn more about Amanda and her love of dance before she makes her LINES Ballet debut this Fall Season, September 26–29 at YBCA.
Get your tickets to see Amanda in our Fall Season, featuring a world premiere choreographed by Alonzo King in celebration of “The Year of Alice”—a nationwide tribute to the legacy of renowned spiritual leader, composer, pianist, and harpist Alice Coltrane.
Interview by Erin McKay
Why were you drawn to dance? What about it resonated with you and pulled your attention over another activity, sport, or art form?
Dance was an outlet for me to express myself without words. When I was young, I was more on the shy side, but dancing brought something out of me. The more I grew in dance, the more comfortable I felt to speak up. Dance also allowed me to tell stories and create characters with my body; I always thought that element of the art form was so beautiful.
I believe dance is a universal language; audiences can always relate a performance to their own lives in some way. Dance, and art itself, are gifts from God that allow us to change people’s lives without speaking a word. Few careers can do that.
Tell us about one of your most meaningful performances.
My most meaningful performance was probably the last time I danced “Lullaby,” a solo from William Forsythe’s ballet Blake Works IV, with Dance Theatre of Harlem. I was so present during that performance that I don’t even remember what I did, but I knew what I was dancing for. I dedicated that performance to my growth and how far I have come. I also wanted to honor those who could not dance any more—those who dreamed of dancing but could not. It was an emotional performance, and I left nothing but my raw soul on that stage. I got lost in the movement. It almost felt like I wasn’t on stage anymore. Instead, I was alone, and I felt everything—every emotion. I did not think; I just danced.
Why did you audition for LINES Ballet? What sparked your interest in the company?
LINES Ballet was on my radar as I grew up in southern California. I saw this poster of former company dancer Aesha Ash, and it sparked my attention. I soon learned more about the company and Alonzo’s brilliant work. Seeing Aesha encouraged me. She showed me that it was possible to succeed in this career as a black female ballet dancer.
Many of my favorite dancers have come through this company, but they are more than dancers. They’re artists and creatures, and they’re out of this world.
Alonzo King’s work allows artists to go to the extremes and test limits—which is where the real growth begins. I have always wanted to be limitless; that is why I wanted to be a part of LINES Ballet.
BIO: Amanda Smith grew up in Orange County, CA and trained at California Dance Academy, Pointe of Grace, and Anaheim Ballet. In 2008, she was crowned Miss Dance Drill Team California and USA. She moved to New York to study at SUNY Purchase where she received her BFA in 2012. There, she studied abroad and performed at the Dance New York International Dance Festival in Madrid, Spain.
After graduating, she joined Charlotte Ballet and worked with Patricia McBride. In 2015, she moved back to New York and later began working with New York Theatre Ballet. She taught and participated in outside projects including The Black Iris Project and Kymera Dance and was featured in a national campaign for GAP. She joined the Dance Theatre of Harlem in 2017 and was featured on the cover of Dance Magazine’s 2019 April issue. While at DTH, Smith did many roles in ballets such as Allegro Brilliante and Blake Works IV. She’s also guested for Debbie Allen’s Hot Chocolate Nutcracker. Furthermore, Smith has taught, guested all over, and worked with many prolific artists such as Arthur Mitchell, Carmen De Lavalade, and William Forsythe.
LINES BALLET’S FALL SEASON
This season, LINES Ballet presents a world premiere to the music of legendary spiritual leader, composer, pianist, and harpist Alice Coltrane. Her transcendental music has inspired Alonzo King since his childhood. Also on the program is King’s latest work for the San Francisco Symphony set to Maurice Ravel’s enchanting Mother Goose suite. San Francisco Classical Voice called it “a marvelous visual feast.” Performances run for four nights only—September 26–29, 2024, at YBCA.
Photography: Alonzo King LINES Ballet | Dancer: Amanda Smith | © RJ Muna; Amanda Smith | © Steven Vandervelden; Alonzo King LINES Ballet | Dancer: Aesha Ash | © Marty Sohl; Amanda Smith | © Theik Smith; Amanda Smith and Lucas Castro | © Jeremy Kyle Gruner; Alonzo King LINES Ballet | Dancers: Marusya Madubuko and Babatunji | © RJ Muna
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