Company Profile

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Quality, Glamour, Escapism and Magic

The South African Ballet Theatre is South Africa’s largest professional ballet company aiming to bring the glamour, escapism and magic of ballet to all. The independent South African Ballet Theatre Company was formed in February 2001 and consists of 18 dancers, mainly former members of the State Theatre Ballet Company, who were retrenched in June 2000 following the closure of the State Theatre, Pretoria.

The dancers who returned to the studio in January 2001 had no prospect of funding but were determined to dance and to continue with the struggle to keep dance alive in South Africa. SABT has established itself as a major player in the performing arts sector with productions of the classical ballets, new works by South African choreographers and collaborations across international boundaries.

In line with its aim to bring ballet to all communities, SABT has undertaken successful tours to all provinces in South Africa. The SABT Outreach Programme also teaches over +/-250 students the art of ballet in Katlehong, Melville, Alexandra and Soweto. Talented dancers progress to the Academy and Graduate programmes.