Open call: Johannesburg Youth Ballet auditions

Next year marks the first JYB season since COVID-19 and, with the support of the National Arts Council, JYB will be staging its critically acclaimed ballet – Hansel & Gretel. Choreographed by artistic director Mark Hawkins to an original score by Nik Sakellarides, the ballet premiered in 2012 and offers wonderful opportunities to young dancers to explore their interpretative abilities.

From the ranks of the new company, the artistic team will cast members to dance the roles of Hansel, Gretel, the White Swan, the Sandman, the four jewels, fire, angels, and the children who are freed from the evil witch.

• Candidates must be 12 years with significant ballet training. There will be separate auditions for junior and senior dancers on 28 October.
• Juniors should be at Intermediate Foundation and Intermediate level and between 12 and 15 years of age. The junior auditions will be held from 2pm to 3.15pm. Registration for the junior auditions will commence at 1pm at the National School of the Arts, and all candidates should be there by 1.30pm at the latest.
• The auditions for senior dancers will also be held on 28 October, from 1.30pm to 4.45pm. The senior group caters for advanced foundation and advanced 1 and 2 dancers aged 16 years and over. Senior registration is at 2.30pm and candidates should arrive by 3pm at the latest. The audition will include pointe work, so all girls must bring pointe shoes.
• There will be a studio available for warm-up. The audition consists of a short barre followed by centre work. Male dancers should come dressed in tights or shorts and a t-shirt. All girls must wear leotards and tights with their hair in a secure and tidy bun. No baggy clothing will be allowed.
• Should the artistic director, Mark Hawkins, wish to see candidates again, there will be a call-back audition on 29 October between 10am and 12pm.
• The JYB will notify successful candidates by 31 October.
• Company members will be required to attend classes and rehearsals on Saturday afternoons (usually 1.30 – 5pm) and on Sundays (usually from 11am – 2pm). They may also be required to attend rehearsals on public holidays and during the school holidays when necessary. The season is scheduled for 25 to 30 March 2024 at the UJ Theatre Complex.

This youth company, founded in 1976 by Audrey King, has seen many dancers coming through its ranks and excelling. The company has toured locally and internationally over the last 48 years and prides itself on instilling professional values in its dancers – values learnt from dancing in a professionally run youth company. The JYB has guided many young dancers into tertiary training institutions and into the profession. Friendships forged in the JYB stand the test of time, as the JYB alums will attest.

Please e-mail all enquiries to brenda@thepinkroom.co.za or SMS 061 146 4414.