Anne Benna Sims facts for kids

Anne Benna Sims is a famous American ballet dancer. She made history as the first African-American danseuse (a female ballet dancer) at the American Ballet Theatre. She was also the first African-American soloist in the company's history.

Anne's dancing career started with Les Grands Ballets Canadiens. Later, she joined the Geneva Opera Ballet. A director named Alfonso Cata became her mentor. He helped her a lot. She then became a soloist (a dancer who performs alone or with a few others) and later a principal dancer (a lead dancer) at the Frankfurt Opera Ballet.

In 1977, Anne returned to the United States. She joined the Eglevsky Ballet Company as a principal dancer. In 1978, she performed in a show called Ballet on Broadway. Later that year, Anne joined the American Ballet Theatre. She was the first African-American woman to get a contract with this famous company.

Anne's Early Life and Training

Anne Benna Sims grew up in a family that loved art. Her father was an architect and her mother loved opera. They made sure Anne and her siblings learned about different kinds of art.

When Anne was ten, she started ballet classes. She trained at the Long Island Institute of Music in Queens. Her teacher was Helene Vinson. Anne also spent summers training at the ABT school. She learned from famous teachers like Michael Maule and Patricia Wilde. She also trained at the New Dance Group Studio.

Anne graduated from Bishop Reilly High School in 1970. After high school, she was accepted into a special training program. This was at Harkness House. She learned from David Howard and Maria Vegh. Anne also studied other dance styles, like jazz and Spanish dance.

Her Amazing Dance Career

Anne's professional dancing career began in 1972. She joined Les Grands Ballets Canadiens. There, she danced in the corps de ballet. This means she was part of the large group of dancers who perform together.

At one point, Anne was told that there wasn't much of a future for black dancers in ballet. But she didn't give up!

Meeting Her Mentor

In 1972, Anne met Alfonso Cata. He watched her dance and told her, "I hate your dancing. You are a big girl who moves too small." But then, he offered her a contract with the Geneva Ballet!

Cata became a very important mentor and friend to Anne. He taught her how to use her strength and presence on stage. He helped her move like the powerful dancer she was.

Dancing in Europe

Later, Cata became the director of the Frankfurt Ballet in Germany. He invited Anne to join as a soloist. Just one year later, she was promoted to principal dancer.

Anne danced with the Frankfurt Ballet for four years. She performed in many famous ballets. Critics in Germany started calling her the 'Judith Jamison of ballet'. Judith Jamison was another famous African-American dancer.

Anne performed in many different types of roles. She danced in serious ballets like Balanchine's Concerto Barocco. She also performed in fun, lively shows like Cata's Ragtime.

Returning to the U.S.

In 1977, Anne came back to the United States. She became a principal dancer with the Eglevsky Ballet Company. In May 1978, she performed in a very successful show called Ballet on Broadway.

Soon after, Anne auditioned for the famous American Ballet Theatre (ABT). She was offered a contract to join their corps de ballet.

ABT was very impressed with Anne's skills. In 1978, Anne Benna Sims officially joined the American Ballet Theatre. She was the first African-American woman to get a contract with the company. She became the first African-American danseuse and soloist in ABT's history.

Even though she started in the corps de ballet at ABT, Anne soon got a big role. Her first principal role was Cybele/Medusa in Antony Tudor's Undertow. This was a very challenging ballet. Her teacher, Antony Tudor, reminded her that all dancers who performed this role before were famous classical ballerinas. He wanted her to know how important her performance was.

Anne also performed in the first show of Paul Taylor's Airs at ABT. This showed her amazing range as a dancer.

Timeline

• Les Grands Ballets Canadiens (1972)
• Geneva Opera Ballet (1973-1975)
• Frankfurt Opera Ballet: Principal (1975-1977)
• Eglevsky Ballet Company: Principal (1977-1978)
• American Ballet Theatre (1978)

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