Ballet Theatre Afrikan dancers. Photo by Rob Mills

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Dancers' chance for the big time WOULD-BE dancers from across the city are being given a unique opportunity by a leading dance company to hone their skills. November 12, 2004 By Anish Abraham ASPIRANT dancers now have the opportunity of a lifetime - the Ballet Theatre Afrikan is holding auditions at its studio in Parkhurst, on the lookout for budding talent. The company currently has vacancies in its various training programmes, aimed at assisting those who see the performing arts as a career, with bursaries available in two categories. Prospective trainees can contact Ballet Theatre Afrikan to register for the auditions, which will comprise a classical class, followed by an interview. Candidates are requested to bring their CVs, as well as a photograph and details of any previous training or experience in dance. The Ballet Theatre Afrikan, a Johannesburg-based touring company, was formed in 1996 and has been a professional company since 2002. Their performers are highly trained in the art of classical dance, as well as in contemporary, jazz, Spanish and Afrofusion - a mix of traditional African dance and other styles. The company has run training programmes for the past 10 years. "Most of the people involved in the theatre have come up through the same training programmes," says administrative director, Paula Kelly. Unlike other training programmes that focus on the arts as a form of entertainment, Ballet Theatre Afrikan deals with performing art as a profession, so training programmes are intensive and run on a daily basis. The current vacancies in the training programme affect different age categories: The Aspirant Programme offers complete professional training in classic and contemporary dance techniques, history of dance, improvisation and choreographic techniques. This is mainly for artists who want to complete their professional training, on a full time basis in a work- related environment. The Senior Training Programme is aimed at teenagers between the ages of 15 and 18, with some previous dance exposure. Classes will be held daily extramurally. The Junior Training Programme is for children between the ages of eight and 15 and also takes the form of daily extramural classes. Children younger than 12 do not need to have previous dance experience. "You have absolutely no idea just how many youngsters want to get into the performing arts," says Kelly. The Ballet Theatre Afrikan regularly holds school performances, creating interest in theatre. Ballet Theatre Afrikan is offering 26 bursaries - thanks to funding from the National Lottery - to people in the aspirant and senior training programmes who wish to pursue a professional dance career. Auditions are open until the end of the year. To register for an audition, or for more information, contact Paula Kelly at the Ballet Theatre Afrikan on 011 880 3099. Permission to use web site material Publishers may use material from this site free of charge, as long as: Credit is given to either the "City of Johannesburg website (www.joburg.org.za)" or to "Johannesburg News Agency (www.joburg.org.za)"; If the article is used online, a link is provided to the original article on this website; The name of the article's author is acknowledged; The webmaster is informed of how and where the material is used (fill in this brief online form). Johannesburg News Agency is operated by BIG Media at 011-484-1400 Print this Page E-mail this article to a friend Help using Joburg.org.za