artist | administrator | academic
Elaine Hendriks Smith has a proven track record of guiding interdisciplinary teams across theatre, dance, and music through periods of growth, transition, and innovation. Elaine is particularly skilled in strategic planning, program development, collaborative leadership, and cultivating inclusive artistic environments. She brings a human-centered approach to institutional advancement — aligning mission, creative vision, and operational strategy to strengthen both artistic output and organizational sustainability.
Elaine’s scholarship examines how theatre makers stage anxiety in moments of social rupture. Grounded in affect and trauma theory, her work contributes to broader conversations around the role of affect in historiography, theatrical production, and society.
EDUCATION
Ph.D., Theatre & Performance Research, Florida State University
MA, Theatre Studies, Florida State University
BA, Theatre, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
Musing Artist Blog
-
Musing…
When I was in graduate school, I received feedback to “stare off into the middle distance more.” I spent a summer trying to stare. I really tried. But, my brain would take over and…
-
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
The great Aretha Franklin sang it correctly. R-E-S-P-E-C-T. By singing each letter separately, she gave them all their own moment in the sun, slowing us down so we think about respect. I remember dancing…
-
Arts & Community…
I like this Ibsen quote. It sticks with me as I’m going through my post-graduate school job search. “A community is like a ship; everyone ought to be prepared to take the helm.” –…
You must be logged in to post a comment.