Dance graduate wins prestigious Pittsburgh CLO award Thursday, September 9, 2010
Ahmad Simmons recognized for his professional skill and passion for his work
Point Park University graduate Ahmad Simmons (COPA 2010) in August received the Pittsburgh CLO's prestigious Julia Deberson Award in recognition of his professional skill, work ethic, optimistic attitude, ability to work well with others and passion for his work.
Pittsburgh CLO directors and production staff each year choose one outstanding ensemble member to receive the honor, which is named in memory of a dedicated CLO staff member.
Simmons has appeared in a dozen CLO musical theatre productions, including Oklahoma!, Cats, Annie Get Your Gun, West Side Story, Mame, Peter Pan, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Oliver!, Curtains, The Producers, Hairspray and The Student Prince. He has taught musical theatre and contemporary dance for the Pittsburgh CLO Academy, The eXperience dance project, Xtreme Talent Convention and studios around the country.
A native of Fort Worth, Texas, Simmons holds a B.F.A. in dance from Point Park. He received a Rising Star award from the University and performed with the Conservatory Dance Company in numerous concerts and dance productions.
His experience includes performing works by Bill T. Jones, Robert Battle, David Parsons, Daniel Ezralow, Martha Graham, Heidi Latsky, Kate Skarpatowska, Kiesha Lalama-White, Doug Bentz and others. His choreography has been recognized in competitions and festivals.
Simmons recently began dancing with the Eisenhower Dance Ensemble of Rochester, Mich., one of the Midwest's premier contemporary dance companies.
Photo courtesy of the Pittsburgh CLO