Wondering what to do in the school holidays?

Photo features Shana Dewey of the South African Ballet Theatre Academy at the barre, photo: Herman Verwey.

Wondering what to do in the school holidays?

The South African Ballet Theatre’s (SABT) first Winter School will take place from June 21 to June 26, 2010 at the Company’s state of the art studios in Braamfontein, Johannesburg.

Established in 2001 after the closure of The State Theatre Ballet in 2000, SABT has forged a central niche in the local dance sector. It is a non-profit, Section 21 Company and in June 2008, was awarded the 2007 PetroSA Proudly South African HomeGrown Award for the Nation Builder of the Year.

SABT is the country’s largest professional ballet company and has established itself as a major player in the performing arts with impressive productions of classical ballets, new works by South African choreographers and collaborators across international boundaries. International stars such as Mara Galeazzi (Royal Ballet), Guillaume Côté (National Ballet of Canada) and Maina Gielgud (English National Ballet) have worked and performed with SABT.

This Winter School is an ideal opportunity for young dancers wishing to pursue a career in dance to experience the environment of a professional company and be taught by the members of SABT.

Dancers aged 6 to 18 years old are invited to attend the exciting Winter School and join the stars of SABT for a fun filled- week including daily ballet class, repertoire classes, contemporary dance classes, National dance classes, stretching, pas de deux, improvisation, pointe work, stage craft lessons, Pilates classes and much much more!

The week will culminate in a performance by Winter School participants for friends and family on Saturday, June 26 from 11am to 12 noon.
Entry fee: for participation Monday through Saturday – please note that attendance at each day’s activities is compulsory:
Junior groups = R 1500 for a half day’s session
Senior groups = R2500 for a full day’s session

Groups will be divided up according to age:
• Junior group A: Ages 6 – 8
• Junior group B: Ages 9 – 11
• Senior group A: Ages 12 – 14
• Senior group B: Ages 15 – 18

There will be a maximum of 30 participants per group.
Parents and Teachers are advised that, as there are a limited number of participants, early booking is advisable.
Please call Mr Moagi on 011-877-6898 or email admin@saballettheatre.co.za to reserve a place.

What to bring and wear:
Ladies
1. A gym towel
2. Ladies should wear their hair in a neat ballet bun
3. Character dance shoes (for ages 6 – 14 only)
4. Girls aged 12 – 18 are required to bring their own hair brush and comb for their stage hairstyle lessons.
5. Pink tights (convertible for contemporary classes)
6. Any colour leotard
7. Pointe shoes with ribbons (ages 12 – 18 only)
8. Ballet pumps (split soles are permissible)
9. A tracksuit would be advisable for in between classes in order to stay warm.
10. A tight fitting jersey or spencer and / or leggings for the cold.
Gentlemen
1. A gym towel
2. Character dance shoes (for ages 6 – 14 only)
3. Ballet pumps (split soles are permissible)
4. Unitard or tights and a tight fitting t-shirt
5. Socks
6. A tracksuit would be advisable for in between classes in order to stay warm.
7. A tight fitting jersey and / or leggings for the cold.
SABT will provide participants with a make-up kit for the hair & make-up sessions.
Branded sweatshirts, refreshments and SABT merchandise will be for sale as well as photographs of the participants which will be taken on Friday June 25th as well as on Saturday June 26th.
Timetable:
• Junior group A: Ages 6 – 8: 8.30am – 1pm (except Friday June 25 which will end at 1.30pm.
• Junior group B: Ages 9 – 11: 8.30am – 1pm
• Senior group A: Ages 12 – 14: 8.30am – 5pm
• Senior group B: Ages 15 – 18: 8.30 am to 1pm
All ages will commence at 8.30am on Saturday June 26 and the performance will run from 11am to 12 noon.

Tickets for the performance are available via Mr Moagi on 011-877-6898 or email admin@saballettheatre.co.za. The entry fee is R100.00 per person. The performance will include works performed by members of The South African Ballet Theatre.

All participants aged 12 - 18 are to please bring their own packed lunch every day. The Joburg Theatre’s canteen will be open, but only sells basic sandwiches costing between R5 and R8, as well as tea and coffee costing ±R2.50.SABT will also have a tuck shop selling snacks and beverages. Please ensure that all participants have eaten breakfast before arrival every morning. No participants will be permitted to eat in the studios, but may bring a sealable water bottle.

There will be a drop-off zone in Hoofd Street where parents can park in order to bring the participants in to the SABT downstairs studio where they will be required to sign a registration form and provide an ID number of the person responsible for fetching the participants on arrival every day. No children will be permitted into the building without an adult chaperone.

The South African Ballet Theatre is based at The Joburg Theatre, Braamfontein Johannesburg. The Company’s two state-of-the art studios and offices overlook the busy CBD and Sappi Gardens. SABT is registered as an association incorporated under s21: 2001/016254/08 016-403 NPO.