The dancers’ appointment, part of the company’s aim to provide work and to contribute to dance careers locally, also marked a homecoming for dancer Olivia Parfitt.
Joburg-born Parfitt returned to South Africa after studying at Canada’s National Ballet School in Toronto.
Prior to her two years at the Canadian school, Parfitt trained with teachers in South Africa and at the South African Ballet Theatre’s Ballet Academy.
The spring season will be Parfitt’s first professional engagement.
“I am happy to be in Johannesburg because it is home, and Joburg Ballet gives me lots of opportunities to dance,” she said.
Another new appointment is Capetonian Kirstel Jensen, who began training in Table View, Cape Town, before she enrolled at the University of Cape Town School of Dance in 2006.
She graduated two years later with a dance teacher’s diploma.
While at the university, Jensen joined the Cape Town City Ballet’s apprenticeship programme, and performed in The Sleeping Beauty and Giselle before being accepted on a professional contract and achieving the rank of soloist.
Short-term contract appointments at Joburg Ballet include Natasha O’Brien, Elzanne Crause and Tamryn van Houten.
“It is essential for young dancers being trained in South Africa to be exposed to fellow South Africans like Parfitt, who trained in Canada, and before her, company member Shana Dewey, who trained at the English National Ballet School, and to be inspired by these homecoming South Africans,” said ballet CEO, Dirk Badenhorst.
The September spring season will take place from 12 until 28 September at Joburg Theatre, corner of Stiemens and Simmonds streets, Braamfontein.
Discounted booking rates for the spring season are available.
Details: 0861 670 670; www.joburgtheatre.com
