History
History of the School
The Ballet School commenced operations in 1939 under Miss Jean Alexander in the old King's Theatre, becoming the third of the National Movements Schools of Training. With the formation of the professional National Theatre Ballet in 1949, many Australians had the opportunity to have a career as a dancer for the first time.
In 1958 the School moved to Sth Yarra and then Toorak Rd, finally settling in St Kilda in 1972.
Following the death of Jean Alexander in 1972, the Australian prima ballerina Marilyn Jones was appointed Director; she was joined two years later by Kathleen Gorham.
Miss Jones became Artistic Director of The Australian Ballet in 1979 and Gailene Stock, herself a former Australian Ballet principal, and now Director of the Royal School of Ballet, became Director of the National. Since then the post has been held by Leigh Rowles and Ann Jenner.
End of Year Performance
In the studio
Floor Barre
Students in action
Pas de Deux
Marilyn Rowe, current director of the Australian Ballet School, has also been a principal teacher of the National Theatre faculty.
In 1995 Marilyn Jones OBE returned to the National as Artistic Director and Joanne Adderley was appointed Administrative Director.
From January 1999, Miss Beverly Jane Fry was appointed the Artistic Director after an extensive overseas career as a dancer.
The National Theatre Ballet was re-established as a Youth Company in 1996 with Lyn Golding and Stanton Welch as Patrons. In that same year the high standard of the Ballet School was recognised by CRICOS (international student) registration.
As well as full training in classical ballet, with the option of taking RAD (Royal Academy of Dancing) Examinations the school offers a full range of adult and children’s classes for both sexes including jazz and tap.
Two fully staged productions are mounted each year with the 2007 Mid Year Performance being "Bollywood," "Circus Parade" and "Corsaire".
