The Ulumbarra Theatre is set to host the Australian Ballet this weekend on stop five of their national tour throughout Regional Australia.
In partnership with Telstra, the program hopes to provide opportunities for regional dancers by visiting eight regional schools across three states, including their only Victorian stop here in Bendigo.
Australian Ballet Repetiteur, Paul Knobloch, says local audiences will be transported to a realm of romance, wonder and storybook charm with Act III of The Sleeping Beauty.
The iconic ballet, set to Tchaikovsky’s celebrated score, will feature alongside one of George Balanchine’s most joyous pieces Allegro Brillante and the Act II pas de deux from Anne Woolliams’ Swan Lake at the Ulumbarra Theatre from 5 – 6 July.
Along with the tour, young dancers will also get the opportunity to attend studio sessions, watch a class from backstage, and take their seats to watch the Australian Ballet perform at their local theatre, with a new program called ‘Let’s Dance’ getting underway.
Knobloch says the tour hopes to encourage young regional dancers.
The touring party, including The Australian Ballet dancers, Education and Outreach team members, and graduate students from The Australian Ballet School, is estimated to reach 5,000 community members in Bendigo.
Knobloch says one lucky student at each of the eight schools they’re visiting, will also have the chance to visit the company’s headquarters in Melbourne.
