Tara Lynnette Smith, 22, of Raymore, MO, made her final stage exit Sunday, September 20, 2020 at Belton Regional Hospital. She was born June 11, 1998, in Shawnee Mission, Kansas to Keith and Shanna Smith.
Tara grew up in Kansas City, MO with her parents and older brother Brandon. Tara attended the Center School District from Kindergarten at Red Bridge Elementary, through Center High School.
While in elementary School, Tara discovered her love of dance at the age of 5. She went on to study jazz, tap, lyrical, modern and ballet, earning her pointe shoes at the age of 13. But she always especially loved tap. She had the joy of being part of several dance teams. Including Expressions and Jr Expressions at Academy Dance Studio and the Center High School Sapphires where she finished her SR year as one of the team’s co-captains.
While in middle school, Tara expanded her love of performance to include theatre while part of a musical production of Suessical Jr. The experience lead her to join the Players 58 high school theatre club. During her time at Center HS, Tara took on the challenges of actor, choreographer, set construction and director of her own original one act play. Along the way, she also discovered a love of Improv, and was part of her high school Improv team that performed locally.
Along with her extracurricular activities, Tara was an excellent student, graduating in the top 5% of her class, and serving as National Honor Society President in her senior year. Tara received a full 4 year Academic Scholarship to Buena Vista University (BVU) in Storm Lake, IA.
At BVU Tara was a double major choosing Musical Theatre and Business and was a member of Alpha Psi Omega National Theatre Honor Society. She again took on the challenges of actor, choreographer, set construction and director to further expand her knowledge. She also continued to perform Improv while at BVU. To enhance her performance and vocal skills, Tara joined the BVU choir. The spring break choir tours were always a highlight of her year, as she enjoyed travel and seeing new places. This led to the opportunity to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York and experience her first live Broadway play. Her goal was to open her own theatre school after pursuing her personal dream of acting, and share her talents and experience with the next generation.
Tara always enjoyed spending time with her family, especially large family dinners that would also include friends. Tara enjoyed games, and was very competitive. Most family gatherings usually included some type of board, card or video games, and Tara actually owned her own set of white dominoes with pink rhinestones.
Tara’s love was present in every gift she gave as it was usually something she created by hand or purchased from the heart and had special meaning. Tara brought joy to everyone she met, was always willing to lend a hand, listen to a friend and provide encouragement when needed. In true fashion, she chose to be an organ donor, and her final gift was helping up to 50 people with her donation. She will be loved and remembered by everyone she touched.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Tara's memory may be made to Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey Dance Company, kcfaa.org.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mcgilleygeorgebelton.com for the Smith family.
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