Auditions open for SABT

Ballet dancers can audition for the Graduate Programme at the South African Ballet Theatre in 2012, a year-long, intensive learnership.
DANCERS keen on training with a professional ballet company will be given a chance at a once-off audition on 11 October at the South African Ballet Theatre’s studio in Braamfontein.

Successful candidates willSuccessful candidates will train with the SABT for a yearThese auditions form part of the company’s 2012 Graduate Programme, which will offer the opportunity for dancers to train for either six months or a year at the company and experience first-hand the career of professional ballet dancers.

Samantha Saevitzon, the public relations officer at the South African Ballet Theatre (SABT), says this exposure will enable amateur dancers to determine whether they are equipped physically, emotionally and mentally for the rigours of a full-time ballet career.

“The course exposes the graduate to the world of the professional stage – aspects such as lighting design, set design and costuming. Successful graduate applicants will participate in the professional company’s classes, rehearsals and productions of a high professional standard, produced by the SABT.”

Graduates will do theory and practical classes. During the practical sessions they will be taught a set ballet class which they will learn at the beginning of the year; they will also have private classes with professional members of the SABT.

There will also be pas de deux classes where they will dance with partners.

Training
“They will each learn repertoire variations – both classical and contemporary works – and how to go about setting a class, which they in turn will deliver to their fellow graduates. Over and above this they will be given strength, stretch and cardio training and will learn about professional ballet hair, make-up and shoe care,” she says.

At a graduation ceremony at the end of the year, graduates will perform their variations from repertoires they have learned during the year.

Theory classes will consist of basic anatomy, dance history, music appreciation, nutrition and first aid. Students will be required to complete a project, which will be based on a ballet performed by the SABT in that year. Various theory components must be included in the project.

Saevitzon says: “To give graduates a full understanding of all that goes into staging and promoting a production, they will need to job shadow selected members of management or the artistic team, thereby broadening their knowledge of and exposing them to alternative career opportunities within the performing arts sector.

“This includes general office management, production budgeting and public relations, dealing with the members of the media, the public and role players in the ballet fraternity, and an introduction to fundraising for the arts,” she says.

Contract
At the end of the one-year course, the SABT’s artistic team will evaluate the student’s progress, depending on availability, may offer the individual a contract. All graduates who successfully complete the course, including the research project, will receive a certificate.

The Graduation Programme fees have not been increased and total R3 000 per quarter, or R12 000 for the year. A limited number of bursaries may be available for qualifying candidates.

Applicants at the audition should be appropriately dressed in ballet gear – pink tights and leotards for girls and tights and T-shirts for boys so the panel can view their work clearly. Female applicants must bring pointe shoes.

Auditions for the South African Ballet Theatre’s 2012 Graduate Programme will be held on Tuesday, 11 October at 4pm at the company’s studios in the Joburg Theatre Complex on Hoofd Street, Braamfontein. For more information contact the SABT on 011 877 6898 or visit the website.