Brooke Smiley

Brooke Smiley is a Lecturer in the Department of Theater and Dance at the University of California, Santa Barbara. She holds a BFA from CalArts and a Master of Arts with Distinction from TrinityLaban in London, supported by a Leverhulme Trust Scholarship. Her work bridges somatic movement practice, environmental activism, and Indigenous artistry, emphasizing interdisciplinary research in dance, sculpture, and community healing.

Research focuses include the intersection of body awareness, earth architecture, and social justice. Notable projects include EARTH.SPEAKS, a public art initiative addressing land stewardship through collaborative earth markers and multisensory performances. She has performed with internationally renowned companies like Fabulous Beast Dance Theater and Michael Clark Company, and her choreography premiered at venues such as Sadlers Wells and REDCAT.

Awards include recognition as a United States Dance Scholar and participation in the Native Launchpad Artist program (2020–2023). She currently leads the Body Mind Centering Conference at UCSB with a focus on Indigenous perspectives in embodiment and land connection.

• Education: BFA, California Institute of the Arts; MA (Distinction), TrinityLaban
• Professional Affiliations: CalEarth apprentice, Somatic Movement Educator (Body Mind Centering®), Somatic Experiencing® therapist

Brooke’s practice integrates trauma-informed pedagogy, public art diplomacy, and sustainable building techniques like Superadobe, collaborating with Indigenous communities globally to reframe land narratives through art and movement.