Highlights

2001

The South African Ballet Theatre – the establishment of a registered Section 21 Company, which is to date, the largest full time classical ballet company in South Africa. Against the odds, SABT established itself as the major player in the performing arts industry presenting impressive productions and creating a platform for new creative works including.
Giselle- In 2001 the successful staging of Giselle with a full company, this was the first official performance under the banner of SABT.
The Nutcracker – The traditional Christmas and all time favorite ballet performed to good houses.

2002

Sun City Superbowl - SABT performed The Nutcracker at Sun City Superbowl in front of 3000 audience members. The house was sold out.

Other successful ballet productions presented in 2002 included

Coppélia, La Sylphide, Carmen and The Nutcracker

2003

SABT successfully staged the following productions:

Hamlet (World Première) – After working on this production for five years, Kenneth Greve (internationally acclaimed dancer, choreographer and Principal Dancer with the Royal Danish Ballet) gave permission to SABT to perform his choreography.
Papillon - Choreographer Ronald Hynd granted SABT permission to stage his production.
NorthSouthEastWest - a mixed bill which included works such asNgizothi Sala Kahle Kusasa choreographed by Sean Bovimand Kopano choreographed by Kaloyan Boyadjiev.
Cinderella - SABT worked with Ms. Veronica Paeper, prolific Cape Town - based choreographer.

2004

The Royal Danish Ballet Collaboration – Senior dancers from the Royal Danish Ballet came to South Africa to work with the SABT to present a season which included Napoli.
SABT moves Johannesburg - The grand opening of the state- of- the- art ballet studios at the Joburg Theatre sponsored by SAPPI Ltd and the Johannesburg Development Agency.
Valentines Enchantment. SABT collaborates with the Black Tie Ensemble - SABT staged a production with the Black Tie Ensemble (opera singers). The dancers performed to live operatic accompaniment for the Valentine’s Day themed event. This season was well received.
Rock-a-Tutu saw SABT taking ballet to a new level. It was conceptualized by well know entertainment personality Ian von Memerty. The SABT Artistic Team challenged the dancers to choreograph pieces to rock, pop and Kwaito music (including the hit song Nkalakatha by Mandoza)in order to attract a younger audience. This ballet appealed the youth and soon became one of the most popular ballets in SABT’s repertoire. It was a great experience for the dancers to showcase their creativity and innovative choreography. SABT strives to enrich its employees and such projects are a treasure to this company.

2005

SABT worked with Madam Claude Bessy, Director of the Paris Opera School - She worked extensively with the SABT Companyand Outreach children coaching then and sharing her expertise.
The Royal Danish Collaboration - The Company maintained its international relations through a second collaboration with The Royal Danish Ballet.
SABT Guinness World Records - SABT entered the Guinness book of record for The Largest Ballet Class and The Most People on Pointe for 1 Minute.
SABT performed in Alexandra and Mamelodi. In order to extend its reach to communities who may not have had the opportunity to see live classical ballet, SABT took ballet to the previously disadvantaged communities. The Company erected a large stage to perform at the Alexandra and Mamelodi sports stadia –these were filled to capacity. The SABT remains the only company to date to have presented classical ballet on such a grand scale in the local townships.
SABT cares for the children - SABT partnered with Opticen by conducting eye tests for 20 children from previously disadvantaged backgrounds.
Pavarotti Farewell to Africa Concert. SABT took part in the preparations for the concert with the late Legend Luciano Pavarotti at Loftus Versveld.

2006

First -ever tour to Russian SABT collaborated with one of the country’s top contemporary choreographers, Vita Award winner Gregory Maqoma. Mr. Maqoma choreographed Neon Flight, a piece which premiered in Moscow. SABT received rave reviews from the Russian critics and warm reception from the audiences. The tour comprised of 22 staff members who performed at the Galina Vishnevskaya Theatre. This was the first time that a South African ballet company had been invited to perform in Russia, the historic home of classical ballet.
Complimentary performance for NGOs and NPOs– SABT hosted people from different charities, underprivileged organisations and senior citizen’s homes at various performances throughout the year.
Successful seasons included:
The Matsatsawele Annual Concert– the annual year end performance took place at the State Theatre

2007

Winner of the Proudly South African Nation Builder of The Year Award– SABT was recognised as a South African Achiever and an important contributor to the promotion of South African innovation, quality employment and economic development
Harare International Festival of the Arts– The Company was invited to perform at this arts festival which brings together artists from different countries and is celebrated in the SADCC region in Harare.
SA Rugby Awards– Following the victorious win by the Springbok rugby team of the Web Ellis Trophy at the Rugby World Cup, SABT was proud to be part of the national celebration and performed at the SA Rugby Awards Ceremony in Sandton.
TV Broadcast– SABT’s Swan Lake was broadcast on SABC2 on 26 December 2007 with repeats. Due to public demand this TV broadcast was repeated in December 2008.
Principal dancer Christian Tátchev choreographed a new ballet for the Company, an abbreviated version ofDon Quixote which premiered at the State Theatre.
SABT joined forces with members of the royal Ballet to raise funds for children infected or affected by HIV through Mara Galeazzi’s Dancing for the Children charity gala performances.
SABT performed as guest artists at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown. The season was sold out before the Company arrived in Grahamstown.
Romeo & Juliet- The Company successfully performed the popular Romeo & Juliet at the Joburg Theatre accompanied by The Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra (JPO).
SABT collaborated with Moving Into Dance Mophatong and Ballet Theatre Afrikan to present a season at the Arts Alive festival in Newtown, Alexandra and Soweto.
The Matsatsawele Annual Concert– the annual year end performance took place at the State Theatre

2008

SABC 2 Strictly Come Dancing reality program–The Company was invited as guest performers for the season finale of the reality show on SABC2.
SABT work with JPO- The Company established a joint partnership agreement with the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra for The Sleeping Beauty andLa Traviata.
Autumn Enchantment- SABT once again collaborated with singers from the Black Tie Ensemble at the State Theatre.
SA Top Women CEO function- SABT performed for SA’s Top Women CEOs during an awards ceremony.
SABT once again collaborated with Moving Into Dance Mophatong and Ballet Theatre Afrikan to present a season at the Arts Alive festival in Newtown, Alexandra and Soweto.
SABT hosts Nigel Lythgoe, Executive Producer of So You Think You Can Dance – America. Mr Lythgoe commended SABT on air during the inaugural broadcast of SA’s So You Think You Can Dance.
The Matsatsawele Annual Concert– the annual year end performance took place at the State Theatre
National Day of Reconciliation– SABT were invited as guest artists to perform at the Union Buildings, Tshwane.

2009

The company successfully staged the following productions;

Cinderella– This season set SABT’s best box office takings and was also accompanied by the JPO.
Giselle is presented to critical acclaim in the media.
PinocchioSABT performed as guest artists in 88 performances of the Joburg Theatre’s annual pantomime Pinocchio in November / December 2009. The dancers were seen by approximately 80 000 audience members during this season, giving SABT substantial exposure.
SABT Annual year – end concert– the annual year end performance for the Outreach programme took place at the Promusica Theatre in Roodepoort to a capacity house.
Senior Principal dancer Angela Malan won the Arts & Culture Trust Award in the dance category for her portrayal of Camille in La Traviata.
SABT launched a DVD of its popular Coppélia ballet for sale to the public.

2010

Swan Lake is presented at the Joburg Theatre with several dancers making their debuts in the lead roles.
SABT hosts its first – everWinter School which is over – subscribed and a great success with participants and ballet teachers calling for it to become an annual event.
The SABT Sinfonia accompanies the season of Veronica Paeper’sCarmen-the Ballet at the Joburg Theatre.
SABT, in association with Ster Kinekor and Cinema Nouveau becomes the first local ballet company to screen classical ballet on the big screen. The production of Coppélia opened at Cinema Nouveau screens countrywide on October 8^th 2010.
SABT continues its partnership with award – winning restaurant Le Canard and hosts regular Ballet Gala dinners at the Rivonia restaurant.
Regular networking sessions are also held in association with the trendy Mapungubwe Hotel featuring guest speakers from the business sector.
SABT features in Professor Christopher Thurman’s book (published to coincide with the FIFA World Cup) titled ‘Sport vs Art’.
SABT and prestigious auction house Stephan Welz & Co partner to raise funds for the Company by auctioning off prized ballet memorabilia as well as an etch by artist William Kentridge.
SABT raises a substantial amount of money for the Knysna / Sedgefield and George Hospice organisations when it tours to the Eastern Cape in September.
- The SABT Outreach programme enter the Dikonokono Festival for the first time and prepare for graded examinations with the Cecchetti Society
- SABT raises R6.5 million through various fundraising initiatives.