Beau Dean Riley Smith is a Wiradjuri and Gamillaraay man, born in Dubbo. Riley is a senior dancer, choreographer, actor, and cultural man who performed with Bangarra Dance Theatre from 2013 to 2023. He studied Theatre at WAAPA and later joined NAISDA Dance College. Over 10 years Riley performed in 22 major Bangarra productions and danced for the film Spear directed by Stephen Page and the multimedia installation, Moving Targets, a collaboration between Page and artist Tony Albert. Riley choreographed Miyagan from OUR land people stories. The work was returned to Country as part of Bangarra's 2018 regional tour and won a Helpmann Award for best regional touring program. His performance in the title role in Bennelong (2017), won him a Helpmann Award for Best Male Dancer in a Ballet, Dance, or Physical Theatre Production, and an Australian Dance Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Dancer. Riley retired from Bangarra in early 2023.
