Queensland Ballet allows people to dance at home like nobody’s watching
Queensland Ballet is offering ballet online from next week as artistic director Li Cunxin and some of the company’s star dancers madly film classes so people can dance at home like nobody’s watching
QLD News
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BALLET lovers missing their classes will be able to dance like nobody’s watching at home thanks to Queensland Ballet.
Our state company is in lockdown but this week they are madly filming classes so ballet lovers everywhere can join them in the virtual world.
There will be ballet classes for all ages online including a 20 minute Ballet for Seniors Express Barre Class.
And ballet lovers will get to do classes with some of the company’s stars including Victor Estevez and Mia Heathcote who are offering a salsa class. There will be stretching classes, fitness classes and traditional ballet classes on offer.
Queensland Ballet’s artistic director Li Cunxin said the company was “in the business of making people happy” and even though they can’t perform on stage right now they can still give back to the community.
“So as the severity of this situation became apparent, we started looking for ways to maintain that connection, “Mr Li said.
“There are lots of ideas that we hope to explore over time, but in the short term we’ve already started recording classes which will be rolled out next week. There’s everything from me taking a class to Petit Pointers for our little ones. People can jump onto our website and they’re free to the public, and they can dance from their lounge room like no one is watching.”
Mr Li said all our dancers on full pay now but that will get harder. The ballet gets a significant proportion of its income from ticket sales.
“I’d be lying if I said there’s no impact to our bottom line. There is definitely an impact in these unprecedented and challenging times. We've set up a donation page, which will be used to pay salaries and keep Queensland Ballet going during this rough patch. So when people are asking me if they can help, they can. It could be a donation, donating your ticket value or even a message of support. We will continue to create magic.”
Meanwhile the forthcoming production of Dracula has been postponed until 2021, as has the tour of Melbourne to present Swan Lake, and also the regional touring program, Tutus on Tour. New dates for these three seasons are still to be confirmed.
“Dates for The Sleeping Beauty have been condensed to 25 September – 10 October, with the 60th Anniversary Gala rescheduled for 8-11 October at the Lyric Theatre,” Mr Li said.
It’s hoped the remainder of the 2020 season can continue as planned. Bespoke, Peter and The Wolf, Synergy, Queensland Ballet Academy Gala, The Nutcracker, and Queensland Ballet Academy 60th Anniversary Performance are planned to proceed as per schedule. Patrons will be kept updated as the public health advice changes.
The core Queensland Ballet Academy Senior Program delivered on site in collaboration with Kelvin Grove State College will continue to operate while schools remain open. The Academy has implemented numerous safety and hygiene measures to ensure students and faculty minimise their risk of exposure.
Though not in studio, the Company Dancers and the Pre-Professional Program students will continue to work on their general fitness, and to create content for future performances and social media. They’ll be offered classes and support from teachers and the health and wellness team to maintain their suppleness and fitness all via technology.
“The dancers understandably are a bit down, “Mr Li said. “They have dedicated their life to their art form and now we’re saying you can’t perform for the next few months. But they are a resilient group, and it’s this resilience and moral discipline that will see them through.”
For more info about classes: queenslandballet.com.au
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