Terez Dean Orr

Terez Dean Orr has been part of Smuin Contemporary Ballet since 2008, bringing a rare, firsthand understanding of the Company’s vision, mission, and community. Terez retired from dance in 2024 after working with celebrated choreographers including Jiří Kylián, Trey McIntyre, Val Caniparoli, Helen Pickett, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, James Kudelka, and Amy Seiwert. Season after season, Orr cultivated longstanding relationships with Smuin’s audience, priding herself on being one of the Company’s most visible and trusted ambassadors on stage.

Terez holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts and Performance from Saint Mary’s College (LEAP) program. In 2021, she co-founded the Jettison Arts Foundation, a 501(c)(3) designed to uplift emerging multidisciplinary artists in the Bay Area through free-to-the-public programs, including the creative incubator that is the Artist-in-Residence (AiR) program. Since its founding, Jettison has welcomed thousands of visitors into its San Francisco studio, offering artists pro-bono gallery space and mentorship.

Orr steps into the role of Development & Board Relations Manager driven by a deep passion for the longevity of Smuin Contemporary Ballet and for the performing arts as a whole, committed to building the relationships and support that will carry the Company’s mission forward for generations to come.