This 34 Year Old "Long Shot Ballerina" Proves there IS Hope for Adults

Sasha Rawlinson arabesque overlooking Chicago

Interview by Veronica Viccora

3.27.24

Exclusive Interview with "Long Shot Ballerina," Sasha Rawlinson

Sasha Rawlinson was born to soar. Also known as the Long Shot Ballerina, she's a dancer, podcaster, seamstress and overall creative who moonlights as a flight attendant and feels totally at home among birds. But more recently, she's reaching new heights along her ballet journey and helping others do the same by documenting her progress.

Today, we chat about amplifying her stage presence, making tutus and getting comfortable with criticism.

Hi Sasha, nice to meet you! Can you tell us a little about yourself?

Hey Veronica! Thanks for having me on the blog ^_^ I’m a 34 year old ballet dancer and instructor from the West Coast, living in Chicago, IL. I’ve been dancing ballet on and off since I was around 11 years old, and currently perform and teach with the student company UBallet at the University of Chicago.

I am a former classically trained opera singer, and also an amateur seamstress with experience designing and constructing ballet costumes and dancewear.

For my regular job, I’ve served as a flight attendant for a major US airline for 8 years. I also like birds. A lot. Lol.

What first inspired you to start dancing?

My mom says I was a dancer long before she sent me to lessons. But I think my earliest memory of ballet is from the 3rd grade. My class took a Christmas-time trip to see the Pacific Northwest Ballet perform Kent Stowell’s The Nutcracker with stage designs by Maurice Sendak. I remember leaning over the orchestra pit during intermission, and taking in the incredible talents of the musicians.

But what completely enraptured me was the “Arabian” divertissement, performed by a woman in a stunning peacock costume, complete with an enormous “feather” tail. I was entranced by how she moved, and I think it was then that the seeds of classical ballet were planted in my young artist brain.

What do you love most about ballet?

I think I’ve come to love the challenge of refining the most (seemingly!) simplistic steps, such as a tendu. The work is never finished, and it’s impossible for me to become bored with ballet. The layers of depth in both the technical and artistic elements that combine in every class and performance keep my brain and body working to their maximum, and each small accomplishment brings me a feeling of pride in what my body is able to do. I feel that any ballet class is my version of a meditation.

What are the biggest challenges you're working to overcome in ballet?

Oh boy, don’t ask a ballerina this because they will inevitably come up with a list of 1000+ things haha.

However, recently, I have been trying to amplify my stage presence and confidence in my dancing, especially relating to my upper body and port de bras. I have a naturally weak upper body, but I think I’m making some good strides lately!

I’m also focusing on utilizing my body’s abilities to their fullest potential, something I was not pushed to do very often as a young dancer. It’s really cool to see improvements in areas like my turnout, for example, which I grew up believing I had no hope in changing or augmenting.

Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t get better!

Are you currently working towards any dance goals or dreams?

I am! My biggest goal is to eventually (in the next 2 or so years) become a professional ballet dancer, in whatever capacity. I have my eye on auditioning for a small company in Los Angeles that I have admired for the last couple of years that presents many new works in an immersive environment, but I think I’m also due for a training stint in NYC for a little while.

Other than ballet, what else are you into?

I love being outside year round, and I walk, a ton, around my neighborhood and the city at large. I average about 10 miles of walking a day on my days free from work!

I also enjoy playing the piano, crocheting, making tutus, cuddling with my 22 year old Quaker parrot, Spitfire, and making snacks for and playing games with my crow friends Russell, Sheryl, and Es.

Sasha Rawlinson wearing pink My Mum Made It bag and Rubiawear leg warmers

If you were a breakfast food, what would you be?

A grapefruit.

What advice would you have for those who may be starting dance "late?"

First, spend as much time as you can observing great ballet dancers, be that onstage or on YouTube. And I mean those that are currently in a high level performance role, not just someone who can execute 12 pirouettes on Instagram lol. Pick someone who makes you feel something when you watch them dance. Look at the nuances of how they use their upper body, and how they use dynamics in energy and timing to create interest in every movement. Then, try these observations out on your own body, and take as much video as you can whenever you practice. Learning to be your own coach as an adult who is new to ballet dancing will absolutely ROCKET you to new heights in your technique and artistry. Do NOT wait for someone to guide you. Help yourself!

Second, do not let yourself get wrapped up in feeling behind. The time will pass anyway, so even if you’re just starting small, every small step is a step forward. It’s important to realize that your path will not look like mine or any other dancer’s you might see on social media. We are all in the same community, but we are at different points in our journeys.

Third, remember to connect with other dancers or artists when you are feeling stuck or you hit a plateau. Reach out to people who are not in your immediate circle for feedback or ideas to help keep propelling you forward in your work. You can always DM me on Insta and I will help you!

And last, welcome any and all criticism, don’t take ANYTHING personally, and “do not be afraid to be seen trying” (I don’t know who originally said this, but it is my favorite quote at the moment, and has changed how I approach my dance practice radically).

What are you loving lately, ballet or otherwise?

Absolutely anything pink or puffer. Rubiawear has the PERFECT ballet pink shade of legwarmers and a cute matching shrug that I wear to dance and just around the house in general literally all of the time, and My Mum Made It has the most adorable puffer tote bag that is basically a stuffed animal you can carry around as an adult and not be judged haha. Fav purchases as of late. I’m really leaning into a “hyper feminine balletcore” era in my 30s.

Also shoutout to Tutulist.com whom I discovered last year. They’re a dancewear specific resale site and omg the FINDS you can get at such friendly prices! I’m talking $50 Yumikos. Such a good way to make a little extra money, keep your wardrobe fresh with new-to-you pieces, and save the planet by recycling your dance wear to new dancers!

Any fun projects you'd like to share?

Yes! I have a podcast, Long Shot Ballerinas, that I launched last year which is geared toward adults pursuing excellence in ballet, like myself! I think there is a huge gap in adult ballet education where instructors and studios tend to not take us seriously, like we’re only in ballet class to “keep in shape” or “meet new friends” or whatever. And while those things can be true, there’s a growing group of us that want to see how far our bodies can go, to see how much we can accomplish, and maybe even see if we have a shot at a performance career.

So each week I share my experiences in this pursuit of excellence, and I hope to collaborate soon with other adults in our community that are looking to be taken seriously in the studio, discussing how we can develop the adult ballet education realm and continue to build a safe and rigorous place for adults to improve on their dance skills.

Where else can we find you Sasha?

I would love to meet everyone over on Instagram @thelongshotballerina, my costume account @bluebirddancewear, and hopefully readers will also have a listen to the podcast, Long Shot Ballerinas, available on all podcast platforms.