All her life’s a stage

Simone Mann has made performing her life and the stage her home.

The professional dancer and former number two South African gymnast has been on the road since completing high school at Crawford College North Coast, moving from one theatre production to the next.

At the age of four Mann began her dancing career with ballet but from 11 years old, gymnastics became her main focus.

“I loved gymnastics. I got to train and compete with my sister, Dominique. I was in the South African team for three years where I was number two in SA and she was number one. Dancing always came second for me but I always wanted to dance more,” said Mann.

A year after she finished school she gave up gymnastics and shifted her focus to theatre and performing, studying towards a three-year degree at the Cape Academy of Performing Arts.

Mann also joined the Cape Dance Company providing her many opportunities to be right in the mix of the performing arts world.

She slowly became a triple threat with dancing, acting and singing becoming a part of her arsenal of skills.

Mann got the chance to travel frequently, performing in festivals and shows such as The Grahamstown Arts festival, the Edinburgh Arts Festival in Scotland and danced with the famous Alvin Ailey Dance Company in America.

After graduating Mann was chosen to perform in the African Footprints production for two seasons – springboarding her into her successful and busy career.

“At the end of my graduating year I heard about auditions but I was told I was not ready, that I should study for another year. I went for it anyway…and I got in.”

From then on Mann’s career was on a roll moving from high-energy African contemporary and tap in France and China, to classical Ballet in ‘Show Boat’ the opera in Paris, to The Pussycat Dolls show, West Side Story and more.

“Being in a company is like being in a family, you are all so close. Going on stage is the ultimate, performing in massive theatres and everyone just loves what you do.”

She does acknowledge there is an “unglamorous” side.

“You are tired, it is physically demanding and hard to look after yourself and eat well when living on a bus. You do not get the full experience of being abroad, as you are not fully a part of the country’s culture. You drive to a city, perform, get back on the bus and then drive to the next city.”

After being on the road for so long Mann decided to settle back down in Ballito and find local companies or productions to be apart of.

She trained and performed with Break-Thru Dance Company and is now a part of the Playhouse dance residency.

Mann recently performed in her first production with the Playhouse, ‘From then, Till now’ directed by Mark Hawkins at the end of August.