Prestondale resident Rachel Abrahams spent her childhood dressing up and dancing in front of her parents’ video camera. A few years on, when the performing didn’t subside, they knew she was really serious about becoming a dancer
Like many five-year-old girls, Rachel Abrahams dreamed of growing up to be a ballerina. It was at this tender age that she started her first ballet lessons. However – unlike many little ladies who grew tired of the pink tights and leotards, and tossed out their ballet shoes and tutus to pursue other fantasies – Rachel became more determined to make her dream a reality.
From her training in Ceccetti ballet, she also learnt the other classical discipline, RAD (Royal Academy of Dance). At the age of eight she started Modern classes, and two years later began to incorporate other types of dance such as Tap. “I wouldn’t say I was a natural dancer at first, but I worked very hard,” says Rachel.
The hard work paid off and the year after Rachel finished school, she successfully auditioned at the South African Ballet Theatre in Johannesburg, where she graduated a year later. She loved her experience there, appearing in the corps de ballet (chorus) for three big performances. She then returned home to Durban to join the Break-Thru Dance Company, performing as a soloist for two years.
For the last two years Rachel has been dancing with The Playhouse Dance Residency, and admits to loving every minute of it. “I’m passionate about dancing!” enthuses this beautiful, willowy 22-year-old young woman. And indeed, she certainly has the body to be a prima ballerina – at 1.72m in height and gorgeously svelte, Rachel’s proportions are perfect for this very critical and demanding profession.
Chatting to Rachel it is sad to realise that many dancers feel the need to live on coffee and cigarettes alone, although dance companies have told them they want athletic and not skinny girls. “I’m lucky as I can eat what I like, and I’m generally very healthy. The hours are so demanding and I need the energy,” she says. It is a tough schedule from 9am to 5pm six days a week.
Rachel also dances for the Sharks, and performs in corporate shows for extra money over and above her training and the many shows she performs in for the Playhouse. And at the moment she is also halfway through her Modern Teachers Diploma. The work has taken its toll on her body over the years too, with endless ankle and back injuries, as well as broken toes. “I have to dance through the pain and just grin and bear it!”
Rachel has had the opportunity to work with some of South Africa’s leading choreographers including Somizi Mhlongo, David Matamela, Christopher Kindo and David Gouldie. She has also had the privilege to perform for Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco, and our own President Zuma.
For now Rachel has recently performed at the Women’s Arts Festival in August, and will no doubt shine in West Side Story which will be running at the Playhouse during November and December.
While many up-and-coming dancers aspire to head off to New York, Rachel says that for the time being she is really happy to be dancing in her own country. “I have so many incredible opportunities here.” These include the fact that there are only four female and four male dancers in the company, which means that everyone has a chance to be in the spotlight. “In New York I’d be another member of the corps, far away from the people I love.”
Another opportunity that she cherishes, is teaching for the KZN Theatres Dance Academy run by her company – every Saturday they teach 60 young children, many from disadvantaged backgrounds.
When asked about her long-term future, Rachel replies, “As long as I’m fit and healthy to get on that stage, I will be on that stage.” When that day passes she will continue to teach and help the youth become inspired in the theatre. “I’ll always be involved somehow. I love it.” *