‘Mamma Mia’ makes dreams a reality
Years of hard work are paying off
Namibia's Nadine Bass worked hard to carve her way to this musical in Germany.
"To be able to be on the stage at the Stage Theater Neue Flora in Hamburg is an absolute dream come true. And then for the musical Mamma Mia - it's more than I could have ever hoped for."Of course, I have often dreamed of being part of such big music productions, but until now it just seemed like something that is still intangible, because you want it so badly.
"Even after almost two months in the theatre, it's still incredible that I can now live this dream six days a week," said Nadine Bass (23) from Namibia.
Mamma Mia will be performed until 21 January 2024 in the evenings from Tuesdays to Sundays as well as Saturdays and Sundays in the afternoons.
Nadine is not unknown in her home country, especially in the music and dance scene. She participated in the World Championships for Performing Arts in Los Angeles in the USA and The Voice Kids competition in Germany. She recorded her debut album Just Believe and music video at the age of 12.
Five years ago, Nadine moved to Hamburg to perform in musicals.
"In Mamma Mia I am involved in different sections. I am mainly an ensemble member. The ensemble consists of all the roles except the main roles that fill the stage. I dance and sing in various group numbers and am responsible for specific items that must be moved in so-called "set changes", such as chairs, tables and other items."
"I am also the stand-in for the lead role of young Sophie. This means I take over the role when the lead actress is on holiday, off or perhaps ill. I vouch for her then. I have a lot to do as an actor in the role of Sophie. I'm in many scenes and sing many songs, but Sophie also dances in a few numbers."
Not without challenges
Nadine says the road to an international musical stage is not without its challenges.
"Although the music industry in Germany makes it easy for you to find and do auditions yourself, it is a different story to be invited to the auditions. So much happens through relationships and contacts. Initially, I felt extremely helpless, because as a girl from Namibia, of course, I did not know anyone and was not trained at any institute or teachers known here. However, by attending different workshops, I got a better overview of the people in the industry.
“Apart from the struggle of being invited to auditions, the whole application process can of course be special and extremely stressful. Just the fact that we have to regularly apply for new roles and market ourselves as a "product" so to speak, is something strange that you have to distance yourself from. Then there are the constant cancellations.
"It is important to realise that it is not personal. Perhaps one should also say that the road never leads to a goal. Even now that I have work until January, I'm busy with auditions and applications at the same time, because this role doesn't guarantee me anything after January."
It all started when Nadine's mother signed her up for ballet and recorder lessons at the age of five. At the age of eight, she vacationed in Germany with her family and they performed together on stage in a hit show.
Starting young
"After the performance, I told my mother I wanted to sing, and since then I've been taking singing lessons in various genres of music. Dance and music also remained a part of my life. Over the years I have done rhythmic gymnastics, ballroom and Latin dance, ballet, modern, contemporary, jazz and hip-hop.
"I played instruments such as guitar, piano, flute and the recorder. I call it my second school career because it turned out to be a lot in the end. I was also doing my Abitur (a qualification awarded at the end of secondary education in Germany) at the DHPS."
"Perhaps it was stubbornness that made me continue doing all this during my Abitur year, but perhaps also a deep knowledge that this is or should be my calling. After school, it couldn't go fast enough for me. So I signed up for a shortened first year of training so that I could immediately get training as a musical actress in January and not have to wait until August."
The training was for two and a half years and Nadine went looking for a part-time job in the hospitality industry. At the same time, she continued with her dance classes and taking singing and acting lessons. She also attended auditions. "This is what led me to Mamma Mia, where - funnily enough - I will be on stage a few times in November with Stefanie Hertel, a German singer, as a guest actress. She was on stage with us at the milestone show in 2008."
Advice
"It is important to always be true to yourself. Who I am, what I know about myself and what I can do or not do. If you are always honest, and introspective and deal with everything that comes from the outside and other people, you can distinguish between useful, real and constructive criticism, subjective opinions, and unimportant and unpleasant comments.
"This is specifically related to work, but I think it can also apply to life in general."
Nadine also says that art is subjective.
"Just because someone doesn't like the way you sing, play or dance doesn't always mean you're doing something wrong. In many aspects of acting, there is no right or wrong, just personal taste. You never really finish learning in this profession. So I think it's important to always have fun and maintain discipline because it will or can always improve and it's often in your hands whether it will happen or not." - [email protected]