Joburg Ballet opens a bumper 2018 ballet year in sizzling style with Veronica Paeper’s production of Carmen at Joburg Theatre.

Set to George Bizet’s music and supported by the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra, this fiery saga which explores the volatile relationship between the streetwise Carmen and young officer Don José who loses his heart to Carmen, is sure to ignite passion inside all ballet lovers.

Soloist Shana Dewey plays the role of the very conservative Micaëla.

Shana Dewey has been a member of Joburg Ballet since the age of 13 years when she joined the company’s Junior Academy.

She worked her way up from playing company and support roles, to playing the lead in last year’s production of Snow White.

You have worked your way from the bottom to the top, and have proved that hard work does pay off. A lot of people are impatient and want things done now, instead of going through the process.
Tell me about yourself when you started dancing?
Shana:
“I started dancing when I was 3 years old, I was very hyperactive and actually didn’t enjoy it then, but my mom forced me to stay in ballet. So I continued. They then saw that there was a bit of talent there, and so pushed me harder. I think when I was 12 or 13 years old, something switched in my mind and I fell in love with it. I went overseas, I did summer schools. I was in the English National Ballet School for a year, trained in Cuba for 3 months. That all helped me to build my career. Then I joined this company about 5 years ago, I was in the Corps de Ballet. It was very hard. I was not used to working in the core, having 5 different places, running from one side to the other. It was difficult but I did stick it through. I did have those days when I thought I couldn’t do it, but with all the practice it gets better and better. I was in Corps de Ballet for 3 years, then I moved up to Senior Corps and then the following year I became a soloist. Now I am a soloist and last year I did my first principal role, which was in Snow White, which was amazing. I enjoyed the whole process and working with Iain MacDonald closely was a huge learning curve for me. This year is a bit different as we are doing Carmen which is a more mature piece. I am excited to be doing all the other ballets we are doing this year, as there are some nice opportunities.”

You had an injury a while back when you had to take 6 months off, how do you deal with injuries?
Shana:
“I am actually sitting now with a minor injury. But that previous injury was a very depressing time for me. It hit me hard. But I pushed through. A lot of dancers give up when that happens.. I just made sure that I came back stronger. It was so silly. I slipped in the studio on the mats. But this time I am listening to doctors, going for physio. Last time I didn’t listen and I danced on a fracture for 3 months. So now I listen. If something is sore and they say I need to wait another week, I will listen. Luckily I got the go ahead to dance tonight.”

You were in Cuba, then in the UK for ballet training – you have basically had training from 3 different countries. How has all the training differed?
Shana:
“The training in Cuba is more powerful. The way they train their males, they train their females. It is heavy work. I was very strong when I left there and I did bulk up quite a bit. My thighs were huge. But the classes were phenomenal. At English National, when I was there, was very box ballet – very technical. I did get to perform with a junior company there, which was great. The training here is quite similar. I did the R.A.D exams, so I found that it was easy. I was in the academy here for years. I have loved it all. I was so grateful to get those opportunities, but I am so happy to be working here now. Working my way up in the company. The opportunities here are so motivational.”

Carmen is quite a mature piece, you are playing the role of Micaëla.
Shana:
“I am not playing the lead role, but I am Micaëla, who is quite innocent. It is easier for me to connect with her and play that role. But even for the Corps de Ballet roles, it is quite out of my comfort zone. We smoke on stage, and you’ve got to be all over the boys – it is quite different. When I am performing I know that I am not Shana today, I am someone else. You have to forget who you are.”

Carmen is quite sexy and risqué – how would you sell this to people?
Shana:
“I think it is so different and out there, and exciting. It is such a passionate ballet. This is completely different. We have a live orchestra, the music is fantastic.”

If you could give your younger self advice, what would it be?
Shana:
“I think it would tell myself to do more of the Corps de Ballet at festivals. It would’ve been easier for me. I would tell my younger self, not to care too much about what people think. You are here for you. It is about you progressing. In fact I need to tell myself now the same thing sometimes. I am a big technician and perfectionist, so I think I would also tell myself to let go a bit more and to just dance. We do it because we love it. I need to remember that. I get caught up in the stress sometimes.”

What ballet would you love to perform in?
Shana:
“There are a few. Definitely Juliet in Romeo and Juliet – I am in love with that ballet, the music, acting, it gives me goose bumps. That’s one. I love the classics, so Aurora in Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake and even Don Quixote.”

Dancers you admire?
Shana:
“Burnise Silvius is one of them. I miss her in class, I just idolize her. She was technically so clean, she had such a presence on stage. Overseas there is Natalia Osipova, she is insane. She is just explosive. Marianela Núñez is anther one, she has this head that never stops moving and these arms that are remarkable . They are all different dancers. Oh and Angela Malan too. She coaches us now and I miss her in studio, so when she coaches us you can learn a lot from her. Her upper body is phenomenal.”

Do you think the youngsters still take ballet seriously? Are there a lot of young dancers emerging?
Shana:
“To a point. I guess it is also up to the parents to put them in ballet. A lot of people are too interested in academia and sports more. There are more and more young kids, but they need to stick to it. There is a different culture like in Russia for example. We are not schooled enough here in South Africa. We do need more dancers.”

Carmen opens at Joburg Theatre tonight – for more details, click on link: http://www.bsharpentertainment.co.za/carmen/