BBT Spotlight: Who is Shannon Smith?

Anyone who’s spent time at Boca Ballet Theatre’s studios in the past 28 years has undoubtedly had the pleasure of meeting Shannon Smith. Besides serving as a beloved faculty member, Shannon works seasonally as BBT’s Facilities Manager (we lovingly call him “the warehouse troll”) and our Production Shop Manager, ensuring that all of our performances unfold smoothly. But who is Shannon Smith, and how did he become such an important part of the BBT family?

In 1997, Shannon graduated from The HARID Conservatory, a professional-training ballet school for high-school age students in Boca Raton. After graduating, he danced professionally with The Sarasota Ballet, Dayton Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, and Ballet Florida. From 1997 to 2016, he served as a faculty member and the Director of Dance at St. Andrews Academy. In the summer of 2000, Shannon joined Boca Ballet Theatre as a guest artist in Christopher Fleming’s baseball-themed ballet Play Ball. Fleming brought a group of gentlemen from Dayton Ballet who had just performed the premiere of Play Ball a couple months earlier. The performance was a hit in Boca thanks to the talented dancers who brought it to life, and Fleming’s work has since become a much-loved part of BBT’s repertory. The following summer, Shannon was invited back to Boca to star as Romeo in BBT’s production of Romeo & Juliet. Shannon then became a recurring guest artist for BBT, sharing his talent with us in a variety of roles from our expansive repertory over the years.

Shannon Smith as Baron Von Rothbart in BBT’s 2014 production of Swan Lake alongside NYCB principal dancer Sara Mearns.

In addition to dancing as a guest artist in BBT’s performances, Shannon has taken on many positions with the Company over the years, including serving as our Facilities Manager, Production Manager, Instructor, and anything else that was needed. His service and support has been invaluable to Boca Ballet Theatre. When asked what he loves about working with BBT, Shannon said, “The opportunity to have danced with some many talented people, guest artists, and students has been an amazing honor. The experiences that Boca Ballet provides for students is second to none. It truly is a place where the stars of tomorrow join the stars of today.”

When he’s not working with us in the studio or onstage, Shannon can be found near the water, as he and his wife own and operate a marina in Tennessee. This spring, we look forward to Shannon’s return to the BBT stage, where he will embody the role of Dr. Coppelius in our production of Coppélia. We hope you’ll say hello and thank Shannon for the time, talent, and service he’s contributed to BBT over the years!