New funding and appointments at SA Ballet Theatre

The National Arts Council (NAC) has approved funding towards SABT's next season of Carmen-the Ballet, which opens at the Joburg Theatre on 13 August, 2010, and runs until 29 August.

SABT was recently informed of the successful outcome of an appeal lodged with the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund and is delighted to announce that the first tranche of funding has been received for various SABT projects, including the upgrade of transport for student dancers attending SABT's Outreach programmes in Alexandra and Soweto.

A South African corporate has come on board with a significant sponsorship, which will see it taking naming rights to the SABT Alexandra Outreach, plus adding its support to a SABT season - details will be announced shortly.

New appointments

On 17 February, 2010, Cedric Ntumba was appointed as SABT Chairman, and James Campbell was appointed as vice-chairman. Cedric Ntumba has announced, on behalf of the SABT Board that, following a company restructuring process, Fiona Budd has been appointed as MD of The SABT and Iain MacDonald has been appointed artistic director of The SABT, with effect from 1 May 2010.

The SABT Board also welcomes two new board members: Susie Mabie and Kethabile Moya. Mabie has been active in the creative and arts industries for many years, working with non- governmental organisations, government departments and the corporate sector in the arts. She is a senior manager at Transnet Foundation, where she oversees the company's social investment in the arts. Moya holds an LLB degree, has worked with government and NGO organisations and is currently the GM of Legal Services and Board Secretariat with the railway safety regulator.

SABT welcomes Teboho Nkoane as its new stakeholder relationships manager (with effect from 1 May) and Ishshah Basheh will be joining the SABT in early June 2010, taking up the position of commercial manager.

SABT has also announced that the following dancers have been promoted with effect from 1 May, 2010:
• Shannon Glover from soloist to senior soloist
• Hyun Kyung Cho from senior corps de ballet to senior soloist
• Humberto Montero from soloist to senior soloist
• Guy Wheatstone and Chase Bosch were both promoted from senior corps de ballet to soloist.

Cedric Ntumba said: “The SABT, along with many organisations, has been through challenging times recently due to global and economic circumstances, but, with our newly formulated structure and focus on all levels, plus overwhelming public support, we are confident that we are entering a new era for The SABT and are fully committed to ensuring the ongoing viability and future of ballet in South Africa, both as a creative and vibrant arts industry and as a business venture.”

Busy months ahead

SABT has a busy few months ahead before its August season of Carmen - the Ballet at the Joburg Theatre. The second set of the Le Canard SABT Gala Dinners is taking place at Le Canard Restaurant in Sandton from 19 to 20 May, SABT will be holding a pre-World Cup Open Day at its studios on Saturday, 29 May from 10am to 1pm and limited places are still available for SABT's Winter School (21 to 26 June 21) where dancers aged six to 18 are invited to spend a week with the company working closely with stars such as Angela Malan and Anya Carstens as they participate in pointe-work classes, pas de deux, national dance classes, pilates lessons, stagecraft lessons and even some World Cup-themed classes.

For further information, contact the SABT offices on +27 (0)11 877 6898, email az.oc.ertaehttellabas@nimda or go to www.saballettheatre.co.za