Claire Christine Spera grew up dancing ballet, modern, and Spanish flamenco. A graduate of the arts journalism program at the University of Southern California Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism, she has been a freelance dance and theater critic for the Austin American-Statesman and other publications since moving to the capital city in fall 2010.

Claire Christine Spera

When Worlds Collide: Houston Ballet’s new Giselle overlaps the worldly and the ethereal

Claire Christine Spera·June 16, 2016

In traditional versions of Giselle, the worlds of the living and the dead are separated by an intermission, each confined to its own act. In Houston Ballet’s brand new version, at Wortham Theater Center by Artistic Director Stanton Welch, the worldly and the ethereal overlap to come full circle.

Dance Houston

Compose It: How Graham Reynolds became Austin’s go-to composer for theater, dance and film

Claire Christine Spera·March 6, 2016

Even if you’re unfamiliar with Graham Reynolds’ name, you’ve probably heard his work — he is, after all, the quintessential modern-day composer, working across a diverse array of mediums that include dance, theater, television and film.

Austin Music

Houston Ballet’s Sleeping Beauty a Visual Feast

Claire Christine Spera·March 4, 2016

The Sleeping Beauty is one of the classical ballet’s most technically difficult yet visually dynamic works — a ballet by which ballet companies are judged.

Dance Houston

Free & Fabulous: Fusebox Festival Promotes Idea Exchange Across Disciplines and Borders

Claire Christine Spera·February 18, 2016

If you can dream it, you can do it: This seems to be the unofficial mantra behind Austin’s Fusebox Festival, which this year will boast more than 60 performances, workshops and talks put on by some 30 local, national and international artists, all for free for the general public.

Austin Dance Theater Visual Art

BODYTRAFFIC Makes Texas Debut

Claire Christine Spera·December 23, 2015

The new year brings something fabulously new to Texas: BODYTRAFFIC, a Los Angeles-based contemporary dance company known for its versatility and sparkling technique, makes its debut in Texas with performances at Dallas’ AT&T Performing Arts Center Jan. 22 (part of the TITAS Presents series) and Houston’s Cullen Theater at Wortham Center Jan. 23 (presented by the Society for the Performing Arts and sponsored in part by the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center of Houston as part of the center’s Dance Month).

Dance

Theater Imitates Art: McNay Museum Exhibition Highlights Influence of Art on Theater

Claire Christine Spera·November 2, 2015

If you were asked to design sets and costumes evoking 16th century Italy, where would you start?

San Antonio Theater Visual Art

Sunset at White Oak Bayou and Framing Dance: Karen Stokes Dance Celebrates Houston

Claire Christine Spera·October 8, 2015

“I think in order to make my best work, I have to fall in love with my subject,” said Karen Stokes when discussing her company’s upcoming production, Sunset at White Oak Bayou, which celebrates the story of Houston’s founding and the city’s original port.

Dance

Fall Dance at Miller: Great Performances in the Great Outdoors

Claire Christine Spera·September 8, 2015

Houston’s Miller Outdoor Theatre is truly one-of-a-kind.

Houston Theater

Moving Back to Move Forward: Dancestry Illuminates Modern Dance History

Claire Christine Spera·August 18, 2015

Isadora Duncan, Loïe Fuller, Erick Hawkins: Dance aficionados recognize these late choreographers as having played a significant role in the foundation and development of American modern dance.

Dance

Choreographic Connections: MacMillan, Bruce and Smith open Houston Ballet’s Fall Season

Claire Christine Spera·August 17, 2015

The relationship between a dance company and a choreographer is a delicate thing.

Dance Houston

Moving Forward: 50 years of Twyla Tharp

Claire Christine Spera·August 4, 2015

Twyla Tharp is undoubtedly one of the most important and influential choreographers of our time.

Dance

NobleMotion Dance Circles The Eye of the Storm

Claire Christine Spera·June 22, 2015

Are you ready, Houston? Another storm is blowing through, and this time, NobleMotion Dance is at the center of it.

Dance Houston

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Visual Art

Value in Hu(e)manity: Tomashi Jackson: Across the Universe

Performative and All-encompassing: David-Jeremiah: The Fire This Time

Gallery Row: A Seasonal Spotlight on Six Texas Galleries

Gallery Row

Gallery Row: A Seasonal Spotlight on Six Texas Galleries

Gallery Row: A Seasonal Spotlight on Six Texas Galleries

Gallery Row: A Seasonal Spotlight on Six Texas Galleries

Dance

Performa/Dance Marks Their 10th Anniversary with ‘ANTHROPOCENE’

Concert Trucks and Onstage Dinners: Performing Arts Houston offers its most varied schedule yet

Unbind Your Imagination: TITAS/Dance Unbound invites global dance into Dallas for 2025-26 season

Music

A Season of Discovery and Wonder at Harmonia Stellarum Houston

Performania: A Spotlight on Texas Stages

Concert Trucks and Onstage Dinners: Performing Arts Houston offers its most varied schedule yet

Theater

The Ballad of Stage West: Fort Worth theater company’s 47th season is a matter of life and death

Glitter and Be Gay: Uptown Players celebrates chosen family, queer joy, resilience, and rebellion in 2025-26 season

Performania: A Spotlight on Texas Stages

Claire Christine Spera

When Worlds Collide: Houston Ballet’s new Giselle overlaps the worldly and the ethereal

Compose It: How Graham Reynolds became Austin’s go-to composer for theater, dance and film

Houston Ballet’s Sleeping Beauty a Visual Feast

Free & Fabulous: Fusebox Festival Promotes Idea Exchange Across Disciplines and Borders

BODYTRAFFIC Makes Texas Debut

Theater Imitates Art: McNay Museum Exhibition Highlights Influence of Art on Theater

Sunset at White Oak Bayou and Framing Dance: Karen Stokes Dance Celebrates Houston

Fall Dance at Miller: Great Performances in the Great Outdoors

Moving Back to Move Forward: Dancestry Illuminates Modern Dance History

Choreographic Connections: MacMillan, Bruce and Smith open Houston Ballet’s Fall Season

Moving Forward: 50 years of Twyla Tharp

NobleMotion Dance Circles The Eye of the Storm