Background
 

Established in 2001 after the closure of The State Theatre Ballet in 2000, this company has defied the odds and silenced the skeptics by forging a central niche in SA dance using imaginative funding strategies and a vibrant artistic vision. SABT celebrated its sixth birthday in February this year. The company's principal sponsor is FNB Corporate who through their support seeks to honour SABT's spirit of entrepreneurship and to allow talented South African dancers the chance to advance their careers in their own country. SABT is South Africa's largest professional ballet company aiming to bring the glamour, escapism and magic of ballet to all.

The company is managed by an Executive Committee headed by Ms Karen Beukes (Director: Artistic, Studio and Productions). She is joined by Fiona Budd and Iain MacDonald in the positions of Director: Operations, Human Resources and Publicity; and Director: Marketing, Development & Fund-raising, respectively. With 34 contracted dancers SABT is the country's largest dance company and one of the largest arts companies of any kind and has established itself as a major player in the performing arts with impressive productions of the classical ballets, new works by South African choreographers and collaborations across international boundaries.