Andrew Simmons - Photo Ian Whalen
Born and raised in Christchurch, Andrew Simmons began his dance training with Anne Judson then at the International Ballet Academy before joining the Royal New Zealand Ballet in 2004.
During his time with company Andrew danced works by Christopher Hampson, Javier de Frutos, Jorma Elo, Mark Baldwin and Gary Harris. In 2007 Andrew has previously two works for the RNZB - Theme and Deviations in 2007 and Through to You in 2009 – both for the Tutus on Tour programme.
Andrew left the company in mid 2008 and relocated to Europe to pursue freelance dance and choreographic projects.
A Song in the Dark – Q & A with Andrew Simmons
A Song in the Dark is a new commission about themes of missed opportunities, love and beauty in the ordinary – what inspired you to choose these themes?
There were three themes/ideas that first came about and helped to create the feeling of the work - love, missed opportunities and beauty in the ordinary. I started off thinking about these as they are infinite in their interpretations and can be absorbed by every individual any way they want. Love is an obvious one - as it is so universal, but it can conduct itself in many different ways...
What can you tell us about putting the piece together – do you dance it, work it out in your head…?
For a novice – what is the process you go through as a choreographer creating a piece? The process of creating a ballet from scratch is different for every choreographer. I cannot imagine my life without music, so for me personally the music comes first. Then from the music comes the direction that I would like the piece to go and the feeling I would like to create. I can think of phrases and movements which I would like to include into the dancing. There is a lot of thinking things through in my head and a lot of scraps of paper and workbooks, but nothing is more important than working with the dancers in person to see how things piece together and how their bodies move. Ballet, although very athletic, is first and foremost an art - it grows in phases towards its completion and presentation on stage.
It’s not terribly long since you left New Zealand to choreograph overseas – what have you been doing in the last 18 months or so? Highlights?
After leaving NZ I have been able to experience some amazing things. I have taken in some sense a "Gap-year". I have taken the opportunity to see some phenomenal dance and art compositions in Germany and Austria, as well as tour as a dancer with violinist Andre Rieu throughout Australia, which although very different to traditional stage and theatre settings, gave me an insight into how to focus audience attention and arrange entertainment on a large scale. I have also had the opportunity to return back to NZ at the beginning of 2009 to create a duet as part of the RNZB's Tutu's on Tour season.
How does it feel to be choreographing a piece for your old company?
To be able to choreograph for the RNZB is an honour. There is no other way for me to describe it. As a New Zealander it was the company that I idolised as a young boy and it was their productions over various years that really ignited my passion for dance. To come back and work with my friends who are still dancing there is fantastic too, as it starts the working relationship off really well and I am able to know what everyone is capable of.
Trivia
Favourite movie: As embarrassing as it may be to admit it - Anchorman
Favourite book: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Favourite food: Thai
Favourite destination: Berlin
Favourite ballet: Classical: John Cranko's Onegin, for its last pas de deux. Contemporary: William Forsythe's Enemy in the Figure
Favourite theatre: Would have to be the St. James in Wellington. Lots of great memories.
Favourite artist (any genre): Gustav Klimt / Morrissey
Favourite website: thecoolhunter.net
Favourite designer: Marc Newson
Favourite restaurant (name & location): Too many to choose just one. Monsoon Poon and Chow in Wellington are my NZ favourites.
Best concert: The Rolling Stones
On my ipod I’m listening to: A lot....
The thing on the top of my ‘to-do’ list is: Finish these questions.
Life changing moment: I suppose - without knowing it at the time - my first ballet class.
Pet hate: Bad spelling.
First job: Directing cars at a car park!!!!
Mac or PC: Mac
Favourite destination in NZ: Abel Tasman National Park
