This October, Acting for Dancers debuts its first Theatre Lab in Santa Barbara — a two-day immersive workshop for pre-professional and professional dancers. Limited to 15 participants, the Lab explores storytelling, emotional intelligence, and authentic performance through training, dialogue, and guest artist sessions.

SMP Dance Company and Acting for Dancers are seeking passionate, storytelling-driven dancers for upcoming performances, films, and residencies. Led by Sarah Marie Picard, the company invites artists to explore vulnerability, presence, and authentic expression through movement.

SMP Dance Company is a world-class, innovative dance company led by director Sarah Marie Picard. With a career that spans television, film, theatre, and international tours, Sarah brings a wealth of knowledge and artistry to her work. SMP Dance Company exists as a home for performance, story, and presence — blending technical excellence with emotional storytelling. Through workshops, residencies, and creative projects, the company empowers dancers to unlock deeper artistry and prepare for careers across stage, screen, and beyond.

This September, Acting for Dancers returns to Charleston Dance Center for a two-day In-Studio Residency Workshop. Designed to go beyond steps and into story, the residency helps dancers unlock presence, vulnerability, and authentic expression to elevate their artistry on stage and beyond.

Some places hold the kind of memory that feels alive in your body. For me, Broadway Dance Center is one of them.

I can still picture it: taking the train into the city with my mom. We were in Rochester for one of her golf tournaments — she’s a professional golfer — and carved out time to ride into Manhattan so I could take class. I was young, buzzing with nerves and wonder, about to dance at the Broadway Dance Center.