Faculty Bio

Houston, Texas

Lauren “LC” Smith is a native of Jacksonville, FL, and has been exposed to the performing arts for over 10 years. After being shown the foundations of dance during High School School, Lauren continued her dance education at Alabama State University in Montgomery, AL. Throughout her undergraduate years at a Historically Black College or University (HBCU), Lauren gained training in West African, Modern, Jazz, Tap, Ballet, and Hip-Hop. In 2017, she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Dance. Over the years, Lauren has worked with various choreographers, such as Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble (Denver, CO), where she held the position of II company member for 2 years. In addition to performing at the John F. Kennedy Performing Arts Center in Washington, D.C., Dance has opened and exposed Lauren to many different opportunities, and she is excited about where it will take her next. Lauren has recently graduated from Sam Houston State University with her Master of Fine Arts degree in Dance and holds the position of Artistic Director of Fort Bend Academy of Arts in Dance located in Missouri City, TX. Lauren believes that her work is influenced by her culture and inspired by the stories of history untold. She aims to re-present these stories through vernacular dance and codified dance techniques. Lauren considers herself to be a creator, educator, and performer.