Dance: A Child’s Dream at the Symphony

Written text adapted from a story originally published in The Corsair.

Dancer Annie Fleishman on stage with the orchestra.

Santa Monica College (SMC) Symphony Orchestra presented “A Child’s Dream at the Symphony” at BroadStage in collaboration with students in the SMC Dance Department. 

The performance was conducted by Mercedes Juan Musotto, narrated by actor Dylan Barton, and choreographed by April Torres and Layla Sanaa. The SMC Symphony Orchestra brings together students of varying levels, alumni, community members, and a handful of faculty including concertmaster Andrea Sanderson. 

Dancer Annie Fleishman starred in the show as Annie the Dreamer, a child through whose eyes the audience would meet whimsical characters including the Queen (Pigeon Lee-Spera), the Good Fairy (Kailyn Ferguson), and Evil Fairy Nyx (Kara Alexys Rosner). The roles of three Jesters were danced by Samara Williams, Chai Nwagbara, and Mar Marroquin.

Pigeon Lee-Spera as “The Queen.”

Chai Nwagbara and Samara Williams as jesters.

Kara Alexys Rosner as “Evil Fairy Nyx.”

Pigeon Lee-Spera in the empty hall just before the performance.

Annie Fleishman as “Annie the Dreamer.”