The Nature of Us was filmed amongst the pecan trees of East Texas, but really takes place in the intimate spaces of a new relationship, where just like the pecan trees - fruitful seasons are not guaranteed but are celebrated as hopeful discoveries.

Technical Info:
Concept and direction: Rashana Smith
Performers: Rashana Smith and Tom Truss
Director of Photography: Jeromy Barber
Editor: Jeromy Barber
Music: The McCarricks
Costume Design: Rashana Smith and Tom Truss
Technical Assistant: Michelle DuBos
Duration: 6-1/2 minutes

The Nature of Us premiered April 18, 2009 at the Lamp-lite Theatre in Nacogdoches, TX.

Based on the frustration of a possibly un-achievable goal, Don't Hold Your Breath incorporates stop motion animation, crafty music and original choreography.

Technical Info:
Concept and direction: Rashana Smith
Choreography: Rashana Smith
Music: The Octopus Project
Stop Motion Animation: Faith Gardner & Kate Dukes
Costume Design: Victoria Waugh
Set Design: Rashana Smith
Original Cast: Michelle DuBos, Megan Durell, Rashana Smith
Duration: 9 minutes

Don't Hold Your Breath premiered April 18, 2009 at the Lamp-lite Theatre in Nacogdoches, TX. A sneak peek of the first section was shown October 18th at the 3rd Annual Motor Dance Fundraiser, Converge.

See Ya in the Funny Papers is the story of a grandfather according to his grandchildren and is an art installation in three sections that incorporates flash imagery of photographs and original artwork, original music and choreography and sound elements manipulated through the use of a floor model 1930's radio.

Technical Info:
Concept and direction: Rashana Smith
Choreography: Rashana Smith
Composer: Kevin Kerby
Text: Robert Perks
Set Design: Joe Perks
Costume Design: Rashana Smith
Performer: Rashana Smith
Duration: 9 minutes

See Ya in the Funny Papers premiered April 18, 2009 at the Lamp-lite Theatre in Nacogdoches, TX.

Born out of the crossroads of a dance career, Remaining Lifelines examines youth on one side and wisdom on the other. Dancers support a soloist during her contemplative, mid-life, mid-career experience.

Technical Info:
Choreography: Rashana Smith
Costume Design: Tessa Gerall and Rashana Smith
Original Cast: Vicki Baggett, Linda Choate, Michelle DuBos, Megan Durell, Britta Jo, Juanita Finkenberg, Dawn Festervan
Duration: 7 minutes

Remaining Lifelines premiered April 2008 in Nacogdoches and Tyler, TX.

Notes on Life emerged from Authentic Movement workshops and the personal stories of each original cast member. Crafted into solos and supporting group work, Notes on Life has become an audience favorite and has been described as "deeply moving, personal and beautiful."

Technical Info:
Choreography: Rashana Smith and Dancers
Costume Design: Rashana Smith
Original Cast: Michelle DuBos, Megan Durell, Tessa Gerall, Britta Jo
Duration: 12 minutes

Notes on Life premiered April 2008 in Nacogdoches and Tyler, Texas and was chosen for the 2008 Brazos Contemporary Dance Festival. Stephen F. Austin State University's Repertory Company also performed Notes on Life at their annual concert, January 29th-31st, 2009 and at their regional American College Dance Festival.

Two women meet and contemplate co-existence. Crafted around choreographed movement and structured improvisation, The Meeting, challenges the two dancers to define their relationship during each performance, making each performance entirely unique.

Technical Info:
Choreography: Rashana Smith
Costume Design: Rashana Smith
Original Cast: Juanita Finkenberg and Rashana Smith
Duration: 6 minutes

The Meeting premiered 2007 in Nacogdoches at the Art Center @ The Old Opera House and was chosen for the Brazos Contemporary Dance Festival in Bryan, Texas later the same year.

Jackson Pollock is said to be the first "all over" or "action" painter, wrangling paint to allow the images to come through on the canvas. Dancers represent both painter and paint as they manipulate each other into shapes and movement, mimicking not only Pollock's movement but also the movement of his paint.

Technical Info:
Choreography: Rashana Smith
Costume Design: Rashana Smith
Original Cast: seven dancers in Stephen F. Austin State University's Repertory Company
Duration: 9 minutes

Action Jackson was commissioned by Stephen F. Austin State University's Repertory company to be presented at the Art Center @ the Old Opera House, Nacogdoches, TX as part of Stephen F. Austin State University's Art Department's Symposium on Jackson Pollock.

Get a glimpse of insanity and one unfortunate woman's failed relationship.

Technical Info:
Choreography: Rashana Smith
Video Production: N-ventive TV
Editors: N-ventive TV
Costume Design: Dr. Mary Ellen Wright
Original Cast: Mark Risinger and Rashana Smith
Duration: 10 minutes

The Jacket filmed by N-ventive TV, premiered at the No-Name Film Festival, Tyler, TX March 2006.

Cast (kast) v. cast, casting, to cast on, to cast off, to cast about, to assemble. Inspired by the role of teacher to student, “Casting” portrays one choreographer’s different definitions of “cast” to express the befuddling task of assembling people and the idea of letting them go.

Technical Info: Choreography: Rashana Smith
Costume Design: Rashana Smith
Original Cast: LaShe Black, Heather Iovine, Lindsey Smith, Rashana Smith
Duration: 8 minutes

Casting premiered November 2005 in Tyler, Texas and was reprised in 2007 in Nacogdoches, Texas and 2009 by the Chapel Hill High School dance squad, the Highlighters.