The Giselle files

Photograph: Johan Heckens

Simone Messmer

Date of birth August 10, 1984
Hometown Minneapolis, Minnesota
Training Ballet Arts Minnesota, Harid Conservatory, ABT’s Summer Intensive Program
Minor league ABT Studio Company
Some big roles so far Lead D’Jampe, La Bayadère; Stepsister, Cinderella; Fairy of Valor, The Sleeping Beauty; the Polish Princess, the Spanish Dance and the Lead Szardas, Swan Lake
Ballet idol Gelsey Kirkland
Most consecutive pirouettes Seven or eight
Favorite dance movie The Turning Point and Ballet
Favorite dance reality-TV show None. They kind of bother me because they’re not really dancers for the most part. It adds to the lessening of an art form that’s already somewhat forgotten in this day and age.
Most memorable moment onstage The first curtain call was unreal and nothing that I had ever experienced before—you rarely get that as an adult.
Giselle role Moyna. After I learn it, I’ll take a step back and spend some time in the studio alone deciding how I’m going to play it.
Best part of being in ABT The Met stage. Every time you go out there, it’s like the first time. You never forget how lucky you are.

See the next dancer: Hee Seo