Department of Theatre, Drama, and Contemporary Dance

Laney Smith is a hip hop and contemporary dancer/teacher/performer born and raised in Chicago. She will graduate in 2024 from Indiana University where she will earn a B.F.A. in Contemporary Dance with a Minor in Arts Management and Leadership. She trained at Dance Italia in the Summer of 2023 alongside choreographers and teachers: Elita Cannata, Cristina Planas Leitão, Stefano de Luca, Maya Orchin, Stefanie Nelson, Danae and Dionysios, Annika Pannitto, Vincenzo De Rosa. She performed in works at Indiana University by Beatrice Capote, Stafford C Berry, and other B.F.A. Majors. She has performed around the Chicago area in pieces by Laura Edwards, Alissa Deutch, Matt Pulmanes, Evelyn Wells, and Ali Fishman. Laney has assisted and traveled alongside Chicago choreographers to develop works on studios around the globe, along with teaching the fitness and endurance behind dance technique. She performed at WeDay Chicago alongside Ciara during her performance at Allstate Arena in Chicago for an audience made up of representatives from over 400 schools from across the state. She trained alongside professional dancers for 3 weeks to prepare for a concert of 18,500 people along with a televised performance. Laney debuted her personal work “My Own Remorse” and “Minor Occurrence” on the students of Indiana University’s Contemporary Dance program. Her style is a mix of contemporary and hip hop styles where she intends to create dynamic and intricate movements full of power and strength. Laney strives on choreographing pieces that are a fusion of techniques, along with performing high-powered textured pieces.