Sarah Ellis Smith, a multifaceted individual with a strong connection to her roots, was born in Asheville, North Carolina, and spent her formative years in the picturesque foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Rabun Gap, Georgia.
From a young age, Smith was drawn to the world of acting, with her father serving as her mentor and guide in numerous theatre productions. As she entered her teenage years, she found herself part of an innovative ensemble that established a circus program within her school, Rabun Gap Nacoochee School, a program that continues to thrive to this day.
Smith's passion for theatre performance and studies led her to pursue higher education at the Gainesville Theater Alliance, where she further honed her craft. Following her college education, she relocated to Louisiana, where she earned her Master of Fine Arts degree.
During her time in Louisiana, Smith had the opportunity to meet her husband, conductor Raul Gomez-Rojas, and the couple later settled in New Orleans. It was in this vibrant city that Smith co-founded Compleat Stage, a performance company that specializes in producing interdisciplinary, original works and offering arts-centric workshops to underprivileged children.
Today, Smith divides her time between New Orleans, Atlanta, Georgia, and Portland, Oregon, allowing her to stay connected to her various creative pursuits and the people and places that inspire her.
