Joburg Ballet has announced its 25th Anniversary Season for 2026, marking a quarter century of artistic excellence, transformation, and cultural impact since its founding in 2001.
2026 marks the 25th anniversary of Joburg Ballet — a profound milestone in the cultural life of Johannesburg and in the national ballet landscape of South Africa.
Founded in 2001 by six courageous dancers in response to the closure of PACT Ballet, the company was born out of necessity, resilience, and belief in the enduring power of classical ballet. Their bold act ensured that ballet would continue to live and evolve in this city. Twenty-five years later, we honour that legacy with a celebratory year that reflects not only where we have come from, but where we are going.
This anniversary season represents a full 360-degree artistic vision — integrating the professional company, the Joburg Ballet School, the Aspirant Programme, and the RADAR Choreographic Development Programme into one cohesive and forward-thinking ecosystem.
“The 25th Anniversary Season promises to be a monumental year of dance with exciting productions and events showcasing the company's history, artistic vision and institutional growth”, said Joburg Ballet CEO, Elroy Fillis-Bell. “From six dancers with a dream to a company that inspires a nation, our journey has been shaped by resilience, artistry, and the spirit of Johannesburg.”
The year is anchored by a deeply symbolic return to Giselle, the very ballet that launched the company in 2001. Presenting this masterpiece 25 years later is both a tribute to our founders and a reaffirmation of our classical lineage.
We also celebrate the return of beloved repertoire that has shaped our artistic identity, including Veronica Paeper’s Carmen, the award-winning Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and the evocative Celestial Bodies. These works honour the audiences who have journeyed with us and reflect the richness of our repertoire across generations.
Our 25th year also reflects the vibrancy and dynamism of Joburg Ballet today.
We launch PlayBraam – Sunset Rooftop Performances, bringing ballet into the skyline of Johannesburg and creating new access points for audiences in unexpected spaces.
We participate in the Contra Joburg Festival, reinforcing our commitment to cross-disciplinary dialogue and contemporary engagement.
We unveil “Framing the Body in Motion”, a Joburg Ballet exhibition that celebrates the visual and living legacy of the company.
At the heart of the season stands a bold new full-length production, The Bacchae, created in partnership with the University of Johannesburg and featuring the UJ Choir. This collaboration embodies our belief that ballet must intersect with academia, music, and the broader creative community — expanding its relevance and resonance.
In April, the critically acclaimed Celestial Bodies, choreographed by Mario Gaglione in partnership with Universe on Stage, takes place at UJ in collaboration with the Italian Institute of Culture and at the Mandela Bay Theatre Complex, Gqeberha.
In June, Joburg Ballet, in partnership with the University of Johannesburg, presents a groundbreaking new full-length production, The Bacchae: An African Choral Ballet. Directed by Jay Pather, choreographed by Mthuthuzeli November, composed by Neo Muyanga and featuring the UJ Choir, the work will premiere at Joburg Theatre.
In August, as part of a city-wide celebration of arts and culture, Joburg Ballet joins the CONTRA Joburg Festival, performing in studios, galleries and unconventional spaces in the city.
The 25th Anniversary Season also includes special events and exhibitions: in May, a Mother’s Day performance in collaboration with Friends of the Ballet in the lush Shepstone Gardens; this will be followed by the opening of a 25th Anniversary Photography Exhibition, a journey through the company’s history.
In September and October, the company returns to Joburg Theatre to present Veronica Paeper's dramatic classic, Carmen.
In November and December, the enormously popular award-winning family favourite, Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, choreographed by Mario Gaglione to a commissioned score by Mark Cheyne, in partnership with the Joburg Ballet School and Joburg Ballet Academy, takes the stage in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban.
Ballet Above Braam, Sunset Rooftop Performance Sessions in association with Playbraam will showcase open air rooftop performances on new work choreographed by the company dancers alongside extracts from Joburg Ballet’s repertoire.
The 25th anniversary year is equally an investment in tomorrow.
Through the RADAR Programme, we actively nurture emerging choreographic voices, creating space for new South African narratives and expanding our contemporary repertoire.
The relaunch of the Joburg Ballet Aspirant Programme, based at 44 Main in association with the Anglo American Foundation, strengthens our pre-professional pipeline. This two-year initiative bridges the gap between training and professional life, ensuring continuity and opportunity for the next generation of artists.
The season concludes with the Joburg Ballet School Showcase, celebrating the foundational training that sustains our art form and honouring the young dancers who represent our future.
Joburg Ballet at 25 is not defined only by longevity — it is defined by resilience, evolution and ambition. We stand proudly classical at our core, contemporary in our outlook, African in our context, and global in our aspiration. This anniversary year honours the bravery of our founders, celebrates the excellence of our present company, and boldly carves a path into the future.
Twenty-five years on, Joburg Ballet remains steadfast in its belief that ballet matters — that it inspires, challenges, uplifts and connects. And with clarity of vision and strength of purpose, we step confidently into the next chapter.
In conclusion Dane Hurst said, "As we step into our milestone year, we honour our heritage while embracing the future with renewed purpose. This Anniversary Season stands as a testament to artistic resilience, cultural leadership and the transformative power of dance in South Africa. We are grateful to all who have shaped our organisation and look forward to celebrating this special year with our audiences, partners and stakeholders."