The company has launched The Ballet Boys Project, a series of initiatives designed to explore and address the decline of boys in dance.
As the project’s first initiative, free weekly classes are being offered to boys aged 11–14 at Queensland Ballet and Queensland Ballet Academy in Brisbane.
Head of Academy Operations Gabrielle Johnston said the initiative has already been well received since being launched in mid-July.
“This initiative aims to remove barriers for boys wanting to take ballet classes by fully subsidising classes at no cost, with no uniform requirements, and no audition required,” she said.
“We’ve had boys coming to these classes which are focussed on male-specific ballet technique, from Coffs Harbour, the Gold and Sunshine Coasts and even Yeppoon.
“We aim to foster a unique opportunity to bring together boys who are enjoying ballet in the community sector, sometimes as the only boy in their class and learn from leading professional male teachers.”
The Ballet Boys Project was launched in response to a significant worldwide decline in boys enrolling in ballet classes.
Since 2020, Queensland Ballet Academy has seen a 36 per cent decline in male enrolments.
Queensland Ballet Executive Director Dilshani Weerasinghe said the company is taking the decline seriously by taking a market-leading stand and addressing what is potentially a sustainability issue for the art form.
“As such, we are encouraging the dance and broader community to join this movement with us to ensure the tradition of ballet, although ever-evolving, lives on with strong participation from male dancers,” Weerasinghe said.
A Boys in Ballet Committee has also been established as part of the Ballet Boys Project. The committee aims to identify the roadblocks to boys participating in ballet and take action to address the issue.
Students can register for the Ballet Boys classes here.
