Dear Adult Dancers,
As we move into the second half of the year, it’s “showtime”!
Following the success of our previous Gala shows, we’re thrilled to announce our exciting new production for 2024: The Wizard of Oz.
The show will take place at the Alexander Theatre at Monash University’s Clayton Campus, with its 500-seat capacity, on Monday, December 9th, 2024.
Your contributions as adult dancers are invaluable to our school, and this performance provides an opportunity to showcase your progress in dance. Our production aims to offer dancers of all levels valuable performance and production experience, bringing together participants from both our children’s and adult programs, ages four to eighty-four, in a celebration of dance’s power to unite and inspire joy.
Eligibility and Rehearsals
We recommend that adults have at least one year of current, consistent (weekly) training to join the production groups. Rehearsals are conducted with the utmost professionalism but are also enjoyed in terms of the social aspect, with many dancers often enjoying self-organised post-rehearsal drinks and gatherings.
The 2024 show will run for approximately one hour, featuring a diverse range of dance styles to entertain and delight.
Enrolments close on 14th September 2024 – So that costumes can be sourced, created and organised. The first fitting day will be 18th and 21st September for select adults.
Programme
We offer three styles of dance to our Adult production group.
- Adults Ballet: (Beginners/Intermediate and Advanced)
Beginner and advanced ballet students will become our “Emerald City Dancers,” embodying beauty, glamour, and extravagance. The performance will be set to the rich music of Alexander Glazunov’s Scènes de ballet, Op. 52. You can listen to the music here:
Kalman will choreograph a vibrant group piece based on ballet vocabulary.
This will be rehearsed in two groups
Beginners/Intermediate dancer – Saturday Afternoons
Advanced Dancers – Wednesday Nights
- Adults Contemporary: (Advanced)
Kalman will also create a contemporary dance work for advanced students. This will be the “The Twister” scene that explores the connection to nature and its power.
This will be rehearsed on Saturday mornings
- Adults Character: (All levels)
Elena will craft an engaging character piece reflective of a traditional barn dance for the Farm scene, set to Aaron Copland’s Rodeo. Listen to the music here:
This will be rehearsed on Saturday afternoons
Rehearsal Schedule:
Regular rehearsals will be held weekly during Term 4 (October 5th - December 9th, 2024).
- Beginner and Intermediate Ballet:
Saturdays, 1:15 PM - 3:00 PM, Deepdene Uniting Church Hall, 958 Burke Rd, Balwyn (Advanced students are encouraged to attend some of these rehearsals)
- Advanced Ballet:
Wednesdays, 7:00 PM - 8:45 PM, Koonung Heights Uniting Church Hall, Cr Belmore and Winfield Rd, North Balwyn
- Advanced Contemporary:
Saturdays, 10:45 AM - 11:45 AM, Deepdene Uniting Church Hall, 958 Burke Rd, Balwyn
- Character (All Levels):
Saturdays, 3:00 PM - 4:15 PM, Deepdene Uniting Church Hall, 958 Burke Rd, Balwyn
If you’re unsure which group to join, please consult Kalman.
We encourage as many dancers as possible to participate. The choreography will be tailored to suit each dancer’s level.
Please try to attend all rehearsals where possible; we understand that unavoidable events can/do happen. However, missing rehearsals hinders the process, as we need to go back and re-teach things for those who have missed numerous rehearsals.
We also recommend maintaining your regular classes during the week to keep up with technique and strength.
Costume Fittings
Final fitting day
Character Saturday 16th November - Deepdene
Ballet advanced Wednesday 20th November – Koonung Heights
Ballet Beginners/Intermediate and Contemporary Saturday 23rd November – Deepdene
All dancers must provide their own undergarments (body stockings/supports), tights (ballet pink for ladies) and correct shoes. These will need to be worn to all fitting days.
Each dancer must also provide makeup and hair products.
More details to come
Compulsory Rehearsals:
- Costume fittings – As above
- General Rehearsal 1: Saturday, November 30, 2:45 PM - 6:00 PM (Deepdene)
- Dress Rehearsal: Monday, December 2, 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM (Alexander Theatre, Monash)
- General Rehearsal 2: Saturday, December 7, 2:45 PM - 6:00 PM (Deepdene)
- Gala Show: Monday, December 9, 7:30 PM (Alexander Theatre, Monash) - Arrival time TBA; last year, adults arrived in the late afternoon for a rehearsal and optional class on stage.
Cost:
The all-inclusive production fee covers all Term 4 rehearsals (10 weeks), artistic development and choreography, theatre hire, costume hire, and a professional video of the show.
Ballet only | $625 |
Contemporary only | $530 |
Character only | $530 |
Ballet + Contemporary | $905 |
Ballet + Character | $905 |
All 3 pieces | $1085 |
* A $200 deposit is required when enrolling - non refundable
** Final payments are required by the beginning of term 4.
*** Enrolments close 14th September 2024
**** All payments are non-refundable
Tickets:
Tickets will be available for purchase via Monash University during Term 4, priced at $42 each. And will go on sale from 1st November 2024 with limited numbers available to get in quick.
We look forward to your participation in this exciting programme. Please enrol online and contact us any time with questions the best is always via email.
Enrol Now Via
Enrolments close on 14th September 2024
Best regards,
Kalman