PODCAST 194: Bobbi Jene Smith
Release Date: 2.5.26
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Reaching Beyond Borders, Rooted in Movement with Bobbi Jene Smith
Episode 194: Show Notes.
From Iowa to Juilliard, from Israel to screens, Bobbi Jene Smith’s Journey through dance is anything but ordinary and defies borders and expectations! In this episode, we are joined by internationally acclaimed dancer, choreographer, and filmmaker Bobbi Jene Smith. Known for her deeply personal and raw approach to movement, Bobbi shares the milestones that shaped her path; from leaving home at the age of 11, to ultimately moving to Israel to join Batsheva Dance Company. Bobbi opens up about the challenges of living abroad and the profound ways in which her relationship with dance evolved through her time in Israel before reflecting on her decision to leave Batsheva and return to the US. We also hear about her transition to dance filmmaking, her current projects, and what it means to her to continuously practice and live through her craft. Finally, Bobbi leaves us with thoughtful reflections on identity, artistry, and her hopes for the future. Thanks for tuning in!
Key Points From This Episode:
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Welcoming today’s guest, Bobbi Jene Smith.
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Bobbi Jene tells us about her background in dance.
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What the summer program at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School was like.
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Moving away from home at the age of 11 and ending up at Juilliard.
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How the Juilliard environment differed from Bobbi’s previous studies.
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Bobbi Jene walks us through the logistics of moving to Israel and what it felt like.
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How Bobbi Jene reconnected with her love for dance.
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The challenges that came with being in Israel for so long.
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Bobbi Jene tells us about some of her favorite performances.
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How she decided to leave Batsheva Dance Company and move back to the US.
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The importance of continuously practicing your craft.
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How Bobbi Jene got into creating dance films and what she’s working on now.
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What Bobbi Jene’s hopes and dreams are for the future.
ABOUT Bobbi Jene Smith
Bobbi Jene Smith is from Ames, Iowa. She is an alumnus of the Juilliard School, North Carolina School of the Arts, and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School. From 2005-2014, she was a member of the Batsheva Dance Company under the artistic direction of Ohad Naharin. In collaboration with Or Schraiber, she has choreographed original works for the Paris Opera Ballet, Martha Graham Dance Company, Royal Danish Ballet, Theater Basel, L.A. Dance Project, The Batsheva Dance Ensemble, among others. She is a founding member of American Modern Opera Company and an artist in residence at L.A. Dance Project.is from Ames, Iowa. She is an alumnus of the Juilliard School, North Carolina School of the Arts, and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School. From 2005-2014, she was a member of the Batsheva Dance Company under the artistic direction of Ohad Naharin. In collaboration with Or Schraiber, she has choreographed original works for the Paris Opera Ballet, Martha Graham Dance Company, Royal Danish Ballet, Theater Basel, L.A. Dance Project, The Batsheva Dance Ensemble, among others. She is a founding member of American Modern Opera Company and an artist in residence at L.A. Dance Project.