Anne Wheeler

Anne Wheeler is a trapeze artist in Barnum's circus, fearless in the air but guarded on the ground. She and her brother W.D. are among Barnum's original performers. She falls for Phillip but pushes him away because she knows the world will not accept them easily. Anne is brave, proud, and quietly fierce.

Personality for Dance

Anne moves with the precision and control of someone who trusts their body completely. In the air and on stage, she is fluid, powerful, and absolutely present. On the ground, dealing with Phillip and the outside world, she pulls back. Her shoulders turn inward slightly, her gaze drops, her steps get smaller. The contrast between how she performs and how she protects herself is the core of this character. When she finally lets Phillip in, the ground movement opens up to match her aerial freedom.

The Outfit

Top

A fitted leotard or crop top in deep rose pink or magenta. The neckline can be a halter or high neck for a circus aesthetic. Add gold or bronze detailing along the edges, sequins or metallic trim that catches stage light. The top must fit like a second skin for any aerial, acro, or lift work.

Bottom

A flowing skirt in matching rose or magenta that hits mid-thigh or just above the knee. It should be lightweight enough to move beautifully during spins but not so long it interferes with leg work or gets caught during lifts. Bike shorts underneath in a matching colour for modesty during acro elements.

Accessories

A simple gold cuff bracelet on one wrist. Small gold stud earrings that will not catch on anything. Avoid dangling jewelry entirely. If doing aerial work, remove all accessories for safety. A thin gold headband or hair pins with gold detail tie the look together.

Shoes

Tan or nude half-sole turners if doing aerial or acro. Nude jazz shoes for floor work. The footwear should be as invisible as possible to keep the focus on the lines of the body. For Rewrite the Stars specifically, whatever gives the best grip and stability for the partnering choreography.

Hair

Natural curls or textured hair pulled into a high, secure bun or ponytail. The hair must be completely out of the face and locked down for aerial and acro work. Add a small gold hair accessory or wrap a gold ribbon around the base of the ponytail. Test the hairstyle through the full choreography before show day.

Special Details

If your studio has aerial silks or a trapeze, Anne's costume needs to work with the apparatus. No loose fabric that could wrap around ropes. No zippers or buttons that could catch. Everything smooth and fitted. If you are doing the aerial work as floor-based acro instead, the flowing skirt adds beautiful movement on tumbling passes and lifts.

Movement Tips

Rewrite the Stars should feel like flying even if you are not using aerial equipment. If working on the floor, use lifts where Anne is fully suspended, partner-assisted cartwheels, and running leaps into catches. The movement should never feel earthbound during this number.
Anne's circus performance moments in Come Alive and The Greatest Show should be her most technically impressive choreography. This is where she shows what she can do. Feature her best tricks, whether that is aerials, acro passes, or powerful turning sequences.
In scenes with Phillip on the ground, pull the movement back. Crossed arms, turned shoulders, steps that retreat. When Phillip reaches for her, she steps away. The push-and-pull tension between them should read from the back row.
This Is Me is Anne's moment to stand with the full company. Her movement here shifts from individual performer to part of the group. She is not showing off her skills. She is standing her ground alongside people who understand her. Plant the feet, open the chest, face forward.
The final moments of the show should show Anne fully open. No guarded shoulders, no retreating steps. She reaches for Phillip without hesitation. The body language tells the audience that she has chosen to stop protecting herself.

Age Recommendations

Best for ages 13-18. Anne needs a technically strong dancer, ideally with aerial, acro, or gymnastics training. The partnering with Phillip requires trust and rehearsal time. If you do not have a dancer with aerial skills, a strong contemporary or acro dancer can absolutely fill the role using floor-based choreography. A younger dancer aged 11-12 with strong acro skills could play Anne if the romantic elements are simplified.