Ballet reaches out to kids in townships
The South African Ballet Theatre (SABT) is one of the only companies of its kind that emphasises outreach to kids in townships around the country. In community halls in Alexandra, Kathlehong, Mamelodi and Eersterus company members teach ballet for free, reports Cue newspaper.
It’s one reason that Michael Revie, a former principal dancer at the Birmingham Royal Ballet joined the troupe. Revie who stars in the festival production of Don Quixote says that the SABT’s outreach programmes and being able to make a difference at a grassroots attracted him to the company.
Future talent
The outreach programmes are part of the company’s ethos of giving back to the community. At the same time, the development ballet programme feeds future talent for the company.
“We aim to produce future dancers for South African ballet,” says principal dancer Andries Weideman who heads up the SABT’s Ballet School.
Training
One beneficiary of the programme, Shereen Mathabula, 19 who has participated in the South Africa Ballet Theatre graduate programme and has a minor role in Don Quixote, a dance rendition of the book by Miguel de Cervantes. Although Mathabula is not yet a member of the company she receives invaluable training on the road to becoming a full company member.
Another student at the South African Ballet Theatre School, Ayrton Fuller, was recently selected to attend the Royal Ballet International Summer School 2008.
Ballet lovers can catch Don Quixote at the National Arts Festival on 3 July.
Pics: CuePix
