Bobbi Jene Smith

Bobbi Jene Smith
Born (1983-11-07) November 7, 1983 (age 41)
Ames, Iowa, United States
EducationJuilliard School (didn't graduate)
Occupations
  • Dancer
  • teacher
  • choreographer
Known forSubject of 2017 documentary Bobbi Jene
PartnerOr Schraiber

Bobbi Jene Smith (born November 7, 1983) is an American dancer, teacher and choreographer, known for being the subject of Elvira Lind's 2017 documentary Bobbi Jene.[1][2]

Early life and education

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Bobbi Jene Smith was born in 1983 in Ames, Iowa.[1] Smith was educated at the North Carolina School of the Arts and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet.[3] Smith attended the dance division at Juilliard School but didn't graduate.[4]

Career

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From 2005–2014, Smith was a member of the Batsheva Dance Company, where she mentored by Ohad Naharin.[3][2]

In 2012 Smith choreographed the dance piece Arrowed which she performed with actor Oscar Isaac. Isaac's girlfriend Elvira Lind was in the audience and she began a correspondence with Smith, eventually persuading Smith to let Lind film her for a documentary. The resulting film, Bobbi Jene, premiered at the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival and depicts Smith's decision to leave the Batsheva Dance Company to try to choreograph her own pieces in America.[5]

Subsequently, Smith choreographed the eerie "dance" scene at the climax of Alex Garland's 2018 science fiction film, Annihilation, which also stars Isaac (although he is not involved in the choreographed scene, which features Natalie Portman and Sonoya Mizuno).[6]

Smith made her feature film debut in the 2012 Israeli film Yossi in a small supporting role. She also appeared in Georgia Parris's 2018 dance-drama Mari, where she played the lead role of a woman mourning the loss of her mother.[7]

In 2021, Smith co-starred with Or Schraiber in the accompanying film for the album Green to Gold by American indie rock band the Antlers, which involves the highs and lows of a relationship being portrayed entirely through interpretive dance.[8]

Alongside her partner, the dancer Or Schraiber, Smith founded the American Modern Opera Company.[9][10] Both Smith and Schraiber are artists-in-residence at the L.A. Dance Project.[3][10]

Filmography

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Year Title Role Notes Ref(s)
2015 Mr. Gaga Self
2017 Bobbi Jean Self [11]
2018 Mari Charlotte [12][13]
2018 Annihilation Choreographer [14]
2020 Aviva Eden Also producer [15][16]
2020 Asaf Avidan: Anagnorisis [MV] Dancer [17]
2024 Life Hacks for Lovers Roberta [18]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Smith, Bobbi, 1983-". Library of Congress Name Authority File. Washington, D.C.: The Library of Congress. 2019. Retrieved 30 July 2025.
  2. ^ a b "Award Screening: Best Documentary: Bobbi Jene". Tribeca Film Festival. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
  3. ^ a b c "Bobbi Jene Smith Choreographer". Paris Opera Artists. Paris: Opéra de Paris. 2025. Retrieved 30 July 2025.
  4. ^ Felsenthal, Julia (25 September 2017). "Using Her Body as She Sees Fit—No Matter What Society Says". Vogue. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  5. ^ McNary, Dave (19 May 2017). "Tribeca Documentary Winner 'Bobbi Jene' Lands at Oscilloscope". Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  6. ^ "Bobbi Jene Smith, dancer, choreographer". Ojai Music Festival. 10 March 2022. Retrieved 18 March 2025.
  7. ^ Grater, Tom. "First look at Film London Microwave feature 'Mari' starring dancer Bobbi Jene Smith (exclusive)". Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  8. ^ DeVille, Chris (March 24, 2021). "The Antlers Debut Green To Gold In New Album-Length Film". Stereogum. Archived from the original on October 1, 2021. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  9. ^ "25/26 Choreographers: Bobbi Jene Smith / Or Schraiber". Ballet BC. Vancouver, British Columbia: Pacific Ballet British Columbia Society. 2025. Retrieved 30 July 2025.
  10. ^ a b "Or Schraiber Choreographer". Paris Opera Artists. Paris: Opéra de Paris. 2025. Retrieved 30 July 2025.
  11. ^ "Bobbie Jean". Mubi. London: Mubi. Retrieved 30 July 2025.
  12. ^ "Mari". Mubi. London: Mubi. Retrieved 30 July 2025.
  13. ^ Bogutskaya, Anna; Doyle, Maxine; Duffy, Emma; Smith, Bobbi Jene (24 June 2019). "Georgia Parris on Mari | BFI Q&A". Youtube. BFI. Retrieved 30 July 2025.
  14. ^ "Annihilation". Collections Search. London: British Film Institute. Retrieved 30 July 2025.
  15. ^ "Aviva". Mubi. London: Mubi. Retrieved 30 July 2025.
  16. ^ "Aviva". Collections Search. London: British Film Institute. Retrieved 30 July 2025.
  17. ^ "Asaf Avidan: Anagnorisis [MV]". Mubi. London: Mubi. Retrieved 30 July 2025.
  18. ^ "Life Hacks for Lovers". Mubi. London: Mubi. Retrieved 30 July 2025.
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