Interview: Glenn Allen Sims of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at NJPAC 5/12 to 5/14

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater returns to New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) in Newark from May 12th to May 14th. Performances will be held on Friday and Saturday at 8:00 pm and on Sunday at 3:00 pm.

Broadwayworld.com had the pleasure of interviewing New Jersey native and 20-year veteran dancer of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Glenn Allen Sims, who will be performing at NJPAC.

Glenn Allen Sims is originally from Long Branch, New Jersey. He began his classical dance training at the Academy of Dance Arts in Red Bank, NJ and later attended The Juilliard School under the artistic guidance of Benjamin Harkarvy. In 2004, Mr. Sims was the youngest person to be inducted into the Long Branch High School's Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame. He has been seen in several network television programs including BET Honors, Dancing with the Stars, and The Today Show. In 2010, Mr. Sims taught as a master teacher in Ravenna, Italy for "Dance Up Ravenna," sponsored by the International Dance Association, and performed in the White House Dance Series. He has performed for the King of Morocco and is a certified Zena Rommett Floor-Barre® instructor. Mr. Sims was featured on the cover of and wrote a featured guest blog for Dance Magazine. Recently, he became a certified Pilates Mat trainer. He joined the Alvin Ailey American Dance Company in 1997.

Sims told us a few of his favorite memories of growing up in Jersey. "Growing up in the '80's, I enjoyed the freedom to ride my bike from my home in Long Branch through other beach towns." He also pointed out that he had a great support system in his schooling for his involvement in the arts. "There was a sense of security to be who I wanted to be. There was a vast array of opportunities to engage in the arts in school, from acting classes and musical theatre to public speaking."

We asked Sims when he first knew that he would have a professional career as a dancer. Although he began his dance studies as a youth and attended Ailey's Summer Intensive training as a teen, he said that he realized it could actually happen when he moved to New York City in 1994 to study at Juilliard.

Sims told us about some of his important career mentors. Jennifer Church of The Academy of Dance Arts recognized his talent at an early age and awarded him a scholarship to study at the New Jersey school. Although he was offered an opportunity to be a full time student at the Ailey School when he was a senior in high school, Sims preferred to finish high school in Jersey at Long Branch High. He had high praise for Judith Jamison, the Artistic Director Emerita of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. "Judith Jamison was instrumental. She hired me and through her nurturing and guidance, I have had incredible opportunities." Madam Gabriella Darvash is Sims' current ballet coach, and because of her keen eye for technique and artistic quality, she has prolonged his dance career as an Ailey Dancer. She has provided the added insight onto how the body should function properly "in dance" and thus preventing injury to the dancer.

Sims discussed some of the pieces he performs with Alvin Ailey. "I enjoy every role that I perform with the company. There is six to seven new works every season that I can delve into." Sims told us that the upcoming NJPC performances he will be dancing the central duet in "The Winter in Lisbon," with his wife, Linda Celeste Sims. Sims told us that the piece is "near and dear" to him after first seeing it performed in Central Park Summer Stages in the early 90's. The couple will also be performing "After the Rain" together.

We asked Sims for some advice for young performers who are interested in the arts. "I've been in the arts since I was nine and you never really know your destiny." He recalled, "I once wrote a letter to Juilliard as a pre-teen never knowing I would be studying there. My life's course has manifested because I constantly focused on what I wanted to do. Oftentimes, doors open up the way they should. Remember that."

You can follow Glenn Allen Sims on Instagram @glennallensims.

The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will performing at NJPAC on Mother's Day weekend. Shows are Friday, 5/12, Saturday, 5/13 and Sunday, 5/14 at 3:00 pm. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the theater's web site at http://www.njpac.org/events/detail/alvin-ailey-american-dance-theater-2017.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

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