'A Quiet Place' actress trains with Ballet West for new movie role

SALT LAKE CITY — Millicent Simmonds, the deaf actress known for her breakout role in the film "A Quiet Place," recently returned to her childhood state to train with Ballet West Academy for a new movie.

Simmonds worked with Ballet West Academy director Evelyn Cisneros-Legate and principal faculty Stacey Mahan to prepare for "Pretty Lethal," an action-thriller movie about a group of ballerinas who have to escape from a remote inn when their bus breaks down on the way to a dance competition.

"It was very difficult to learn how to hold myself, the names for different movements, the music, but the feeling I felt while dancing was very unique," Simmonds said.

As a Bountiful native, she grew up familiar with Ballet West's reputation but hadn't ever danced before. She always described herself as "more of a soccer girl" and has come to appreciate the strength ballet takes.

"What surprised me the most was how strong and resilient the dancers are," Simmonds said. "From afar, the movements look delicate and soft, but I was so wrong. Every inch of their body is controlled and flexed. Every movement is so intentional."

Simmonds said she was grateful for the patience and guidance she received from Cisneros-Legate and Mahan throughout her training sessions.

"I was very fortunate to learn from such great teachers," she said. "Both of them were very understanding, patient, but also knew when to push me when I needed it. I could tell how much passion they have and how much they love ballet just from hearing them talk about it. They would exude grace and elegance when they danced."

Learning ballet was a challenge for Simmonds, and she said there were times when she felt like her body wasn't responding to what she was wanting it to do.

"I was dancing with women who were professionals, and I remember feeling like an imposter and that I didn't belong. I was trying to copy their movements exactly," she said.

But luckily she received some much-needed support from William Tuckett, the choreographer for the Royal Ballet and for "Pretty Lethal."

"(He) pulled her aside and encouraged her to feel the music, whatever that sounded like, to bring out 'Millie the dancer,'" a statement from Ballet West said.

Simmonds said, after that, she started working on her form again, and "this time it felt light, strong and confident."

"I was stunned. From then on, I didn't compare myself again. I was solely focused on myself and what felt right to me. That feeling is truly unbeatable and made me want to keep at it and work harder," she said.

Cisneros-Legate said Simmonds' journey in dance "exemplifies the philosophy of the academy training in which students strengthen their emotional development alongside their physical dance attributes."

The Ballet West Academy has more than 1,000 students across its four campuses in downtown Salt Lake City, Trolley Corners, Park City and Utah County.

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