Andrea Comola, 33
Eleven years and several injuries after joining Ballet Austin, Andrea Comola traded in her pink slippers for a life of less strain. She now splits her time between dancing and the care of Louis, her blue-eyed darling of a one-year-old.Austin Chronicle: Why did you leave ballet?
Andrea Comola: Every year after I turned 26 there was more and more maintenance. I was always injured. I began to wonder if it was worth it. One day my husband said, “When you’re home, I want you to really be here instead of still being at work.” And I thought, “Me too.”
AC: How is it different being at Tapestry?
Comola: In ballet, everybody needs to be a cookie cutter of the same look. Whether you are that or not, you have to try to be that. Here you get to be yourself, whatever that is.
AC: Has it been difficult returning to dance after having a baby?
Comola: I always hated getting back in shape after the summer, but after having a baby, it was 20 times harder. The bones in your pelvis spread, all your ligaments stretch. There are things you can’t do with your back because your uterus is getting bigger. Plus gaining the weight. I just now feel like I’m back in shape, and it’s been a year since I had him.
AC: What’s your favorite number in the show?
Comola: “Let’s Get It On” with Morgan and Poet. They’re these two hot young guys, and I’m this old woman, and I get to roll around on the floor with them. My first day of choreography I was like, “Thank you, God.”
This article appears in February 14 • 2003.