Step into the world of ballet beyond the spotlight with our exclusive feature! Each edition offers a glimpse into the off-stage lives of your favorite dancers, showcasing their unique hobbies and passions. Discover the surprising and delightful activities that make these artists’ lives as captivating as their performances.
SAGE MARSHALL SIMONS
Indianapolis Ballet
Apprentice
@sage.simons
Essential item in your dance bag?
My bandana, and my headphones!
Movie you can re-watch till the end of time?
Dead Poets Society, an all time favorite of mine.
Dancer who’s inspired you?
Growing up my biggest inspirations were Carlos Acosta, Baryshnikov, and Sergei Polunin.Â
Song/artist/playlist you’ve been playing on repeat?
You can always find me listening to music!
My top 3 bands at the moment are Weezer, Radiohead, and Mt. Joy
Least favorite dance step?
Grand Pirouettes, or Tour Jeté to the left!
How do you like to spend your time outside of dance?
Outside of ballet I love to cook! Especially anything breakfast. When I’m not cooking I enjoy playing video games with my roommates and listening to music.
Best place to hang out in your company’s home city?
I love taking the Monon trail on my bike!Â
Dream role?
Basilio from Don Quixote or Solor from La Bayadère.Â
Go-to coffee shop order?
Iced Chai with Oat Milk.
Essential post-show ritual?
I love winding down with some good music while I roll out my body.
ABOUT SAGE
Sage Simons trained with The Milwaukee Ballet School & Academy and as a Trainee under the Direction of Rolando Yanes. He attended Summer Intensives at Ellison Ballet, Houston Ballet, Milwaukee Ballet, and Joffrey Ballet Chicago.
Following his training, at age 16 Sage joined the Milwaukee Ballet Second Company (MBII). With MBII Sage performed leading roles such as Ali in Le Corsaire, BlueBird Pas de Deux in The Sleeping Beauty, Balanchine’s Slyvia, and more. Along with MBII Simons appeared as guest artist with A&A Ballet Chicago and Dance Wisconsin.
Sage was the recipient of the Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s Milwaukee Ballet’s Schommer Lichtner Scholarship. He also received Second Place in The Classical Category at the Youth America Grand Prix Semi-Finals, and competed in the World Championships of Irish Dance.
This is Sage’s third season with Indianapolis Ballet.
Featured image by Ron McKinny
Images 2 and 4 by Ron McKinny
Image 6 by Sonja Clark