Where Movement Becomes Story
SMP DANCE COMPANY IS A HOME FOR EMOTIONALLY INTELLIGENT TRAINING AND FUTURE-FORWARD PERFORMANCE.
CURRENTLY OFFERING TRANSFORMATIVE EDUCATION FOR DANCERS — AND BUILDING TOWARD TOURING NEW ORIGINAL WORK.
WELCOME TO SMP DANCE COMPANY
SMP Dance Company is a growing creative home for dancers who want to move with meaning.
Founded by Sarah Marie Picard, SMP is rooted in the belief that presence, emotional intelligence, and story are just as essential as physical technique. Through intentional training and artistic exploration, the company offers dancers tools to expand their expressive range—onstage and in life.
We are currently focused on educational offerings, including the signature workshop Acting for Dancers, while building toward a long-term vision of original touring work, collaborative residencies, and emotionally charged performance projects.
This is a space for dancers, artists, and educators called toward something deeper. A future-forward company with soul at its center.
Join Artistic Director Sarah Marie Picard of SMP Dance Company for a special 2-hour workshop at Gibney.
This lab invites dancers to explore the intersection of movement, emotion, and narrative, deepening their connection to intention and presence. Through guided improvisation, acting exercises, and choreographic exploration, participants will learn to embody story with honesty and depth.
Experience the creative process behind SMP Dance Company’s work and discover new layers of your artistry.
By donation.
AFD | THEATRE LAB
UP NEXT: JANUARY 2-4, 2026
Acting for Dancers | Theatre Lab 2026
January 2–4 | Santa Barbara, CA
A focused, honest, and transformational weekend designed for dancers ages 14–25 who are ready to deepen confidence, connection, and expressive freedom.
Led by Artistic Director Sarah Marie Picard, Theatre Lab merges acting tools for dancers with emotional intelligence training—helping artists embody truth, tell authentic stories, and perform from a place of clarity and certainty.
Every dancer leaves the experience changed. Together, we create a space that feels like family—a place to come home to self, courage, and artistry.
✨ By application only. Limited spots available.
ACTING FOR DANCERS
A space to build emotional clarity, storytelling tools, and embodied confidence—on and off stage.
This workshop helps dancers connect deeply to their movement, trust their inner life, and perform with honesty and impact.
Ideal for studios, pre-professional programs, and working artists seeking emotionally intelligent, story-driven training with more depth, clarity, and range.
Led by artistic director, Ms. Sarah Marie Picard.
Led by Director of Dance, Ms. Sarah Marie Picard. As a dancer and choreographer, Sarah Marie has been featured on numerous hit shows, including ABC’s “Once Upon A Time” and Fox’s “So You Think You Can Dance.” She has extensively toured internationally with various leading dance companies. She is regularly requested to appear as a guest choreographer at world-renowned dance institutions such as STEPS and the Broadway Dance Center in New York City. Previous students of Ms. Picard’s have been accepted into iconic educational institutions such as The Juilliard School, NYU, Arts Umbrella, Rambert School, and USC and have gone on to work extensively in film and television, on Broadway, and in theatres around the world.
Train with Sarah
Brian friedman
“I had the honor of being a mentor to Sarah Marie in her formative years. Her talent was undeniable and her work ethic matched it. I was not surprised as I watched her succeed after the years of her assisting me. Following her career has been such a joy!”
Follow our journey.
