June 2020 - Ballito Umhlanga
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t is in a fantastical world of<br />
magic, music and dreamy<br />
costumes that <strong>Umhlanga</strong><br />
dancer Rachel Abrahams feels<br />
most at home. Effortlessly, she<br />
floats across the stage, light<br />
as a feather, elegant arms<br />
and poised, lean legs.<br />
The fun-loving 29-year-old started<br />
ballet at age five, modern dance at<br />
eight and tap at ten. “Ballet was always<br />
the highlight of my day. I was very<br />
sporty growing up and continued<br />
with dance and sport until I was 14.<br />
I was so determined<br />
to be part of this<br />
industry that I<br />
couldn’t see that<br />
I was actually<br />
struggling mentally.<br />
Then I chose to fully concentrate<br />
on my dancing - ballet being my<br />
top priority.” Rachel studied ballet<br />
with Winsome Fuller, a legend in the<br />
industry who danced with the likes of<br />
Nureyev – one of the world’s greatest<br />
male ballet dancers. Disciplined and<br />
dedicated to perfecting the art of<br />
dance, Rachel got used to long days<br />
and busy schedules from an early<br />
age. “Most evenings I only got home<br />
around 8pm after ballet class and<br />
weekends always included KZN youth<br />
ballet and dance rehearsals.”<br />
At age 12, she auditioned for a<br />
company called Siwela Sonke and<br />
although she was very young, she<br />
made it into the show. “That’s where<br />
I learnt contemporary and I went on<br />
to perform with them for years after<br />
that at arts festivals, gala events at the<br />
ICC and theatres. I used the money I<br />
earned form these performances to<br />
buy my pointe shoes and costumes<br />
and put it towards my future in<br />
dancing.”<br />
Rachel’s breakthrough came in the<br />
first year after she finished school<br />
when she successfully auditioned<br />
and was accepted into the South African Ballet Theatre (Joburg Ballet now)<br />
Apprentice Programme. “That was the official start of my career performing in<br />
major ballet productions such as Coppelia, Giselle and Cinderella.”<br />
While this was a dream come true, looking back, Rachel says she now realises<br />
how much she struggled in her first few years in the ballet company and dance<br />
world. “I was 17 and the pressure was indescribable. I can’t explain the amount<br />
of mental strength it takes to be in a company, be disciplined, believe in yourself<br />
and to make this a career. I was so determined to be part of this industry that I<br />
couldn’t see that I was actually struggling mentally.”<br />
Finding balance between her career and her life has been a long-term learning<br />
curve and a lesson that has helped her survive and thrive in the tough industry.<br />
“It’s very hard as a ballet dancer to have a life outside of ballet, but it’s essential.<br />
I prioritise myself so that I can be the best dancer possible for my career. I learnt<br />
that the best way for me to have a long career is to work on a freelance basis and<br />
not be part of a company full time.” When she is not part of a ballet production<br />
in Johannesburg or Cape Town, you will find her on the rugby field dancing for<br />
the Sharks team and the Dolphins, on stage at corporate events or in a studio<br />
teaching and choreographing. “I’ve started spending more time in Durban lately<br />
as I love my city and want to help build the industry here. My incredible dance<br />
partner, Casey Swales, also lives here and we do a lot of work together.”<br />
Another big lesson has been to look after her body. “Ballet, especially, is a visual<br />
art which relies on perfect lines and a part of that would be a perfect body. I am<br />
quite tall and certainly am lean naturally. Out of ballet season or contract I don’t<br />
put pressure on myself. My body is my temple and I really mean that. During<br />
seasons, I dance so much it would be impossible for my body not to be in its<br />
best shape. If I’m not in good shape, I will get injured.”<br />
To keep her body strong and dance ready, Rachel is very particular about how<br />
she fuels herself. “I’m vegetarian and grow my own vegetables and herbs. I eat<br />
extremely well - and a lot - and I am proud to say that I check everything before<br />
I eat it. I want to know what I’m putting into my body. Normally, if anything has<br />
more than five ingredients in it, it’s processed. Not to say I don’t enjoy a beautiful,<br />
big breakfast on a Sunday with the works, or that I don’t love chocolate as much<br />
as the next person. I also love bread and pasta. I just exercise in moderation<br />
(most of the time).”<br />
While the arts (and the rest of the world) are in hibernation during lockdown,<br />
Rachel is keeping active and busy, gardening with her boyfriend and exercising<br />
in her home with her faithful shadow, Rocco, the Staffordshire Bullterrier always<br />
next to her. “The arts will thrive again and my shows will be put back on. I can’t<br />
wait! In the meantime, I’m creating, staying fit and enjoying exploring my free<br />
dance spirit.”<br />
Details: Instagram: @ballerinarach<br />
WATCH NOW<br />
Take a look at a day in the life of a ballerina in lockdown…<br />
<strong>June</strong> <strong>2020</strong> Get It • <strong>Ballito</strong> <strong>Umhlanga</strong> 29