PORTFOLIO:

REVIEWS:

IN/BEtween (2022)

On Stage: A blend of Kathak, Modern
“This is the way dance should be — thrillingly in the moment.”
“What was remarkable was how the dancers kept their own dance identities while venturing out into new movement territory.”
-Jane Vranish, Pittsburgh Dance Currents

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Virtual Dance Exchange Project (2021)
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Dance Beat: The Future of Dance
“I felt the future of dance before my eyes, in many ways a sensory experience unlike any other. It was private, no one to get in the way of my sight lines. I made the choice where to look, for a highly personalized dance experience. And while the performances were filmed, there was a singular life to them that took them beyond the usual two dimensions.

I subsequently found that that wasn’t the only layer to be seen in VDEP. There was much more to consider and this project addressed so many of them…”
-Jane Vranish, Pittsburgh Dance Currents

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The Missing Peace (2018)

​Pittsburgh Post Gazette

The Missing Peace was listed as Pittsburgh City Paper’s Most Affective and Emotional Pieces 2018 list
“The outcome was a virtually seamless outpouring of movement, empathy and, surprisingly, a real beauty that immersed the audience in many ways. The subjects did not weigh things down. Instead, the artists were able to elevate their response, not in a saccharine way, but with honest and meaningful choices. And the serious intent of “The Missing Peace” ultimately gave it a sweet clarity of purpose, something that should transfer well on tour.”
-Jane Vranish, Pittsburgh Dance Currents
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Objective I (2015)

Objective I was listed in Adrienne Totino’s “Top Ten Dance Pieces 2015” list
“Shana Simmons’ level of choreographic sophistication is what sets her apart from other dance-makers of her generation. Red Rover, Red Rover was no exception. The trio was Simmons’ finest achievement to date. The work had everything: a clean, analytical structure that required a deep understanding of choreography; unpredictable choices that surprised the audience; and high-level partnering skills not often seen in Pittsburgh.”
--Quote provided by Adrienne Barr Totino, December 2015

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PASSENGER (2014)

Coal Hill Review

PASSENGER was rated 3rd in the “Pittsburgh Top Ten Contemporary Dance in 2014” list from Ms. Totino and a runner-up for Jane Vranish’s list in the Post-Gazette
“Simmons and the dancers succeeded in both educating and entertaining the audience, another challenging feat. With streamlined choreography, skilled dancers, exquisite costuming and well-suited sound, everything about the piece worked. Simmons not only sparked my interest in the subject matter, but also had me longing to get back to the Aviary and learn more.”
--Adrienne Barr Totino, Coal Hill Review, 2014

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Relative Positions (2012)

Pittsburgh Post Gazette

“There were 13 commissions, so Relative Positions was treated as serious art designed to intrigue. But most importantly, the evening summoned its own collective synergy in a fine first effort, one that promoted Pittsburgh as a vibrant arts city.”
-Jane Vranish, Post-Gazette, 2012

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What is Your...? (2009) GHENT, BELGIUM

Ghent Blog

TRANSLATED BY GREGORY DEIRA
“...It was a very fun and daring performance, because it did not stop at the people already on stage. The people who were still in the audience were also involved in the performance of the three dancers and everybody was involved as much as possible. The pleasant thing was that the dancers asked their questions whispering and in a way that you wouldn’t be embarrassed to give no as an answer. Recommended”

FURTHER SUGGESTED WORK SAMPLES:

1. STOP- 2018, 3rd section in The Missing Peace, a Shana Simmons Dance Production
20 minutes, full work about suicide prevention, cast of 6
Suggested timestamp: 9:45-end (12 minutes)

https://vimeo.com/275246090

2. Natural Suite- 2020, Commissioned by Point Park University(PPU) 15 minutes, 3-sections, cast of 35 PPU dancers
Suggested Timestamp: 6:08-end (10 minutes)

https://youtu.be/uTnbMBknygI

3. Shana Simmons Dance-Overview 2011-2018
12 minutes, interviews/excerpts from SSD works/choreography/events

https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/480054129

4. Eliminate the Pendulum- 2019
12 minutes, full work about women in the arts, cast of 4

https://vimeo.com/370130669

5. Untitled- Solo Work 2019
4.5 minutes, Shana Simmons dances solo work
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https://vimeo.com/354082538