Lorraine Smith Arts 
Performance Maker

Lorraine is a British artist, educator, and researcher based in the North East. Lorraine’s artistic work focuses on the creation of live performance that offers audiences a shared experience that sparks emotional responses and/or challenges perceptions. Originally trained in dance, Lorraine’s artistic practice combines multiple art forms, including movement, physical theatre, live art, costume / wearable art, spoken word, etc., and usually in collaboration with other artists and performers.

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Between 2006-2014 Lorraine was artistic director/choreographer of Silversmith Dance Theatre showcasing work in the UK, Slovakia and Portugal. She was also co-founder of the Feminist Women's Institute: a collective that explored current issues related to Feminist discourse through interdisciplinary experimental performance, and artistic member of Arab troupe Al Zaytouna (2007-2014), touring large scale contemporary productions in the UK and internationally.

 

Lorraine has worked as Artist in Residence for several organisations and collaborated on numerous projects as creator and performer. Past projects include choreographer for The Making Space (Siobhan Davies Dance) and commissions for Stellar Projects, the FUSE Festival, Playgrounds Dance Company (Northampton University), among others.

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After 5 years working as a director/choreographer and performer with the MA Costume for Performance at London College of Fashion, including director/choreographer for the University of Huddersfield Costume with Textiles Degree Show 2015, Lorraine’s research subsequently focuses on costume in live performance. Practical research activity includes ongoing collaborations with innovative Dutch wearable sculpture artist Daphne Karstens.

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Education/training:

Lorraine graduated from the University of Chichester with a 1st Class Degree in Dance Studies, holds an MA in Choreography from TrinityLaban and a PGCHE (HEA Fellowship) from Teesside University. She also has extensive experience and training in costume performance, Butoh (Katsura Khan, Stefan Maria Marb, Atsushi Takenouchi, Marrie-Gabrielle Rotie, Tanja Zgonc), Inclusive Dance Practice (Magpie Dance), and the Skinner Releasing Technique (Rebecca Skelton, Sally E. Dean).

 

Educator / facilitator:

Lorraine currently works as Senior Lecturer in Performance & Media and Foundation Course Leader for MIMA School of Art and Design, Teesside University. She also previously delivered the roles of Course leader BA Performing Arts, Course leader BA Dance, and MA Programme Leader for the MA Professional Dance Practice (delivered by Dance City in Partnership with Teesside University). She is also currently External Examiner for the BA Dance and Applied Practice and BA Physical Education and Dance at Worcester University.

As a feminist educator, Lorraine aims to cultivate students' understanding of their chosen subject and the wider arts and empower them to become critical thinkers who can impact their field and the wider society. Lorraine also strives to develop innovative teaching approaches, with a particular focus on improving student transition into higher education. This includes the sharing of best practice and collaborating across subjects and schools at Teesside.

Lorraine has worked as visiting artist/lecturer for London College of Fashion, University of Chichester, University of Northampton, University of Huddersfield, Canterbury Christ Church University and Croydon College. She has also worked as Dance Tutor for Varndean College. 

As an arts facilitator Lorraine has extensive expertise in inclusive practice, and has taught in a variety of educational, community and arts settings with participants from Early Years up to Adults (including carers and parents). Lorraine's teaching ethos is to give participants space to learn and develop at their own pace, encouraging confidence to push boundaries and to develop as creators who can take charge of their own artistic endeavours.

Over the years Lorraine has worked for numerous companies in a range of diverse settings, employing a nurturing and inclusive approach to inspire creativity. Companies include Eastside Education Trust, Festival of Thrift, the Lyric Hammersmith, Chisenhale Dance Space, Nimble Arts, Magpie Dance, The Right Step Dance Company, among others.
 

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