Dancer Spotlight: Meet Claire Simmons
Chris Flores and Claire Simmons for Little Women Ballet’s Autumn Immersive.
Photography by Edie Tyebkhan
1. Tell us a little about your dance background, how long you have been dancing, and what inspired you to pursue ballet?
I’ve been training in dance my whole life. I grew up performing in annual Nutcracker ballets and competing in dance competitions throughout Northern California. I continued dancing in college at UC Irvine, where I earned a degree in dance performance. Since moving to Los Angeles, I’ve danced professionally with several companies, including Universal Studios Hollywood. My favorite styles of dance are contemporary and musical theater, but ballet will always be special to me. I love that Little Women Ballet allows me the opportunity to continue performing this classical form of dance in a new way. The special emphasis on storytelling in ballet is so beautiful and makes it a joy to perform.
2. What are the specific challenges of portraying your character through dance in Little Women?
Beth March is a bit misunderstood by the public. People are quick to say she was too kind for this world, which ultimately led to her passing away so young. She was just as real as her sisters. She had her own opinions and ambitions and she experienced the full scale of emotions, even frustration. Portraying someone who always seems happy, even as her illness progresses, while there are more emotions under the surface is a challenge. I hope I can add more depth to her character.
3. Can you describe your favorite dance or scene in Little Women and what makes it unique to you?
I really enjoyed Beth and Jo’s duet in the Fall Immersive because we had to play off of each other to convey the full story. Beth and Jo were trying to comfort each other: Jo stayed by Beth’s side throughout her illness and Beth encouraged Jo not to worry about what will happen when she’s gone. Throughout the duet, there’s a battle of resistance and acceptance. My favorite part is at the end of the piece. Beth is looking up at Heaven, Jo is struggling with Beth fading away, and then, at the last second, Jo accepts the truth and gives her sister a comforting hug. It was always an emotional moment to perform.
4. How do you approach telling a story through dance movements and expressions?
I like to understand the story and research it as much as I can. I concentrated on Beth’s story from the book and saved key quotes to a photo album on my phone. When considering the performance, I first focus on what I would do as a normal person experiencing certain emotions. I like to find the natural reaction first and then consider how to best accentuate that feeling to fit the performance. Other things that helped me with this process include, watching the 2019 film and cast interviews and making a Spotify playlist for my character to tap into my emotions.
5. Have you found similarities between yourself and the character you portray in the ballet?
Yes, Beth and I do share similarities. I think we both appreciate the simple things in life, while also having a strong sense of determination to meet our goals.
6. What message or emotion do you hope to convey to the audience through your performance?
I think it’s easy for audiences to see Beth as a one-sided character, the dying sister, so I hope I can show audiences that she is so much more than that. She is as well-rounded as all the other characters.
7. How do you work with the choreographer and fellow dancers to convey the overall narrative of Little Women through your movements?
Emma is clear with intentions throughout the choreographic process. She informs her dancers of each movement’s purpose and how it relates to the overall story. Our recent rehearsal process involved a new duet between Beth and Jo. Emma choreographed it with the dancers in the room, so it really matched our natural movement quality.
8. What do you hope the audience takes away from the production after watching your performance in Little Women?
I hope they have a deeper appreciation for this classic American story. And, of course, I hope they enjoy themselves and want to come see us again.
Anna Lee Rohovec as Jo March and Claire Simmons as Beth March in Little Women Ballet's Autumn Immersive 2024. Photography by Edie Tyebkhan
Dancer Spotlight: Meet Anna Lee Rohovec
1. Tell us a little about your dance background, how long you have been dancing, and what inspired you to pursue ballet?
I have been dancing for 20 years. I had always been enchanted with ballet and decided to start pursuing dance more seriously when I auditioned for an arts high school, New Mexico School for the Arts in Santa Fe, NM. At NMSA I was able to have more rigorous training in ballet and modern dance. I continued my dance studies into college at the University of Cincinnati, where I graduated in 2022 magna cum laude with a BFA in ballet. I then spent the 2022-2023 season with State Street Ballet in Santa Barbara, California as a trainee. Since then, I’ve danced with Brockus Red Dance Co and Little Women Ballet in Los Angeles.
2. What are the specific challenges of portraying your character through dance in Little Women?
Jo’s character and personality do not always match the classical elegance of ballet. That aspect of her personality has been incorporated into the choreography however there are times where I have to really think about how Jo would move in this world of ballet that is so graceful and find the balance between Jo and ballet.
3. Can you describe your favorite dance or scene in Little Women and what makes it unique to you?
I really enjoyed dancing the finale scene in the Spring Immersive: Meg’s wedding. It was energetic and joyful in a way that I felt really captures Jo’s love for her family and friends. She also has a fun playful dance with her love interest Professor Bhaer where she is unapologetically herself.
4. How do you approach telling a story through dance movements and expressions?
I make sure that I know the story very well so that I can understand how my character fits into the overall story and understand the interactions between other characters. I really try to put myself in the mind of my character so I can be immersed in their world. In dance there are no words, you physically are the story.
5. Have you found similarities between yourself and the character you portray in the ballet?
I definitely can see myself in Jo. It is important to Jo to prove that she is just as smart, just as strong, and can do anything else that a boy can do. I have always felt this from a young age especially in situations where I was the only girl in a group.
6. What message or emotion do you hope to convey to the audience through your performance?
I hope that the audience can feel sympathy for the struggles that Jo faces in her life and find joy in her fierce loyalty to her family and friends.
7. How do you work with the choreographer and fellow dancers to convey the overall narrative of Little Women through your movements?
Emma is a very thoughtful choreographer. There is intention behind the movements she creates, and she does a wonderful job explaining those intentions to us dancers so that we can work together to make sure we are portraying the emotions and story that she is trying to tell.
8. What do you hope the audience takes away from the production after watching your performance in Little Women?
I hope that the audience can connect with Jo’s spirit. She is a very strong female character in a time when women did not have a lot of control over their lives. I feel like a lot of women and young girls relate to Jo. She is relatable and inspiring because she makes mistakes, faces challenges that lead her to question her beliefs, and manages to grow from her experiences all while staying true to who she is.
Photography by Edie Tyebkhan
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