L
the South Side, and three days a week at her dance school
where she focuses on ballet.
“I’m definitely a late starter in ballet and it is the most
challenging for me,” says Abby. “Most kids begin when
they’re 3. I didn’t start until I was 12, and I am just now on
pointe. But it helps me with all my skills and improves my
lines in aerial arts.”
In addition to contortion, Abby is also an aerialist, hand
balancer, foot archer, unicyclist, and dancer.
“My favorite apparatus is the lyra,” she notes. “This is
a large, metal, hula-hoop-like apparatus attached to the
ceiling used for spinning and performing tricks high above
the ground. I also love the silks and trapeze.”
Abby’s parents, Todd and Lisa, have been with her every
step of the way in her journey. They have found schools
and teachers, and recently purchased and assembled a
23-foot aerial rig for the backyard so she can practice her
routines to perfection.
While Abby currently attends Lincoln Park Performing
Arts Charter School as a dance major, she will be
auditioning this month for Ecole Nationale de Cirque
(The National Circus School) in Montreal, Canada.
But until then, if there’s a blonde ponytail flying high
above the rooftops in Bethel Park, just know that’s Abby,
practicing on the rig in her backyard—flipping, spinning,
twirling and dreaming of her future with Cirque du Soleil.
“We want her to pursue her dreams and achieve them,”
says Todd. “It’s just difficult sometimes to think of her not
at home with us.” Lisa agrees and adds, “But she wants to
travel the world and we couldn’t be happier for her and all
she has accomplished.”
Follow Abby on her journey,
at abbyrichert.weebly.com, abby.
richert on Instagram and Abby
Richert on Facebook. n
“
I feel very lucky. All
of my training is getting
me closer to my goal of
being a performer with
Cirque du Soleil.”
ittle sisters and brothers are natural mimics.
Watching their older siblings trying fun and exciting
activities almost always propels them to give it a go.
Such was the case for Abby Richert when her older
sister, Haley, started gymnastics. But after a couple
of classes and tumbles across the mat, it became
clear that Abby’s talents were elsewhere.
“I was 8 when I started gymnastics classes. My
teacher wanted me to do cartwheels and different
tricks and I just wasn’t coordinated enough to pull it
off,” explains Abby. “I was very flexible and sometimes,
when you’re young, it can be hard to control your
body. I would rather do chest rolls on the floor. Then, I
became interested in contortion after stumbling upon a
YouTube video.”
Finding someone to help her become a contortionist,
though, was almost impossible. After a couple of years at
different dance schools, she finally landed at Elite Dance
by Damian in Warrendale.
“I’ve been there for three years and it’s awesome,” says
Abby. “My teacher, Damian Kush, has helped me learn
proper technique and it’s improved my control and natural
flexibility.” She also takes classes at Iron City Circus Arts
where she works with Kelsey Keller and Jenly Deiter.
There she has performed in several productions and
students showcases, including an aerial version of “The
Nutcracker,” in which she played Clara.
Abby has also performed at different venues
across the country, including Le PeTiT CiRqUe, a
production company of young world champions and
Guinness Book record holders, contortionists, acrobats,
aerialists, martial artists, singers,
musicians and more, ranging in
age from 7-18. Through her local
trainers, she has been featured on
“American Ninja Warrior Junior,”
“Good Morning America,” WTAE
as the Action Athlete of the
Week, and Cirque du Soleil for its
#cirqueway campaign.
“I feel very lucky,” she says. “All of
my training is getting me closer to
my goal of being a performer with
Cirque du Soleil.”
Abby is nothing if not dedicated
to her craft. She trains three days a
week with Iron City Circus Arts on
BETHEL PARK
❘
SPRING 2020
15