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
