Ellery Smith grew up twirling around Fargo, North Dakota, training under the direction of Matthew Gasper at Gasper’s School of Dance and Performing Arts. At the age of 16, she relocated to New York City to begin training at the Joffrey Ballet School as a scholarship student. During her four years of pursuing classical ballet in the city, she was fortunate enough to train and perform at various institutions, as well as compete in the Valentina Kozlova International Ballet Competition held in St. Petersburg, Russia. After realizing she missed the freedom of other dance styles, Ellery decided to become a Conservatory student at Steps on Broadway, where she reignited her passion for musical theater and contemporary styles, as well as vocal and acting training. 

While in the Conservatory, Ellery was fortunate enough to perform works by Chet Walker, Josh Bergasse, Julie Magneville, Terk Lewis, and the Verdon Fosse Legacy, as well as Chaz Wolcott and Jerome Robbins restaged by Robert LaFosse (both of which were unfortunately postponed due to the pandemic). She completed her training in the spring of 2020, and spent the following year teaching and choreographing in the Midwest. 

Ellery’s recent performing credits span both coasts, having stepped onstage regionally in California at the Laguna Playhouse, South Florida at The Wick Theatre, and in Washington State. Her favorite roles have included Bebe Benzenheimer in A Chorus Line and the muse Polyhymnia in Xanadu! She also had the opportunity to understudy the role of Cassie during her time on the line. Ellery is so grateful for the opportunities this year has brought her, looks forward to continuing to learn and grow as she performs, travels, and connects with new audiences and artists!