Affiliate Program
Program Overview
The Brisbane Ballet Affiliate Network aims to bridge the gap between dance schools, pre-professional dancers, and professional company life.
By partnering with schools offering full-time programs for dancers aged 13 and above, Brisbane Ballet will expand its reach, identify promising talent early, and provide tailored workshops to prepare dancers for professional auditions.
The program addresses the lack of “next level” opportunities for emerging dancers and the high rate (95%) of auditionees unprepared for professional company work due to technical and aesthetic deficiencies.
Key Components
- Dance schools with full-time programs and students aged 13+ can join as affiliates without binding contracts.
- Affiliates act as talent scouts, recommending promising dancers to Brisbane Ballet for further evaluation.
- Affiliates gain access to:
- Exclusive workshops
- Networking opportunities with Brisbane Ballet’s company members
- 10% discount on all Brisbane Ballet shows for their students
- Schools must adhere to Brisbane Ballet’s fee structure for workshops.
Tailored Workshops and Training
Brisbane Ballet will conduct workshops at affiliate schools, led by company dancers who can be approached to teach.
Workshops can be tailored to the specific needs of each school’s students, focusing on:
- Center-point work and technical proficiency
- Aesthetic requirements (e.g., physique, arabesque height)
- Preparation for pre-professional and professional auditions
All workshops are charged at a fixed rate of $75 per hour for the use of Brisbane Ballet dancers, which affiliate schools must adhere to.
Workshops aim to address the 95% unpreparedness rate among auditionees for professional company work, equipping dancers with the skills to transition from school to pre-professional levels.
Teacher training workshops are available for affiliate school instructors at a negotiated fee, focusing on professional-level coaching techniques.
Talent Identification and Development
- Affiliates flag potential candidates (aged 13+) for Brisbane Ballet’s pre-professional program.
- Identified dancers may receive:
- Personalized feedback
- Invitations to exclusive auditions
- Opportunities to participate in minor roles (e.g., background dancers in productions)
- Brisbane Ballet will provide guidance on career pathways, reducing the need for dancers to seek overseas training.
Outreach and Recruitment
Brisbane Ballet will promote the affiliate program to schools with full-time programs via outreach campaigns, emphasizing mutual benefits such as tailored training, show discounts, and prestige for schools.
The program will create a pipeline for recruiting dancers who are ready for pre-professional training, reducing reliance on trainee positions for underprepared dancers.
Benefits
For Affiliate Schools
- Access to tailored workshops led by Brisbane Ballet company dancers at $75 per hour
- Teacher training workshops at a negotiated fee
- 10% discount on all Brisbane Ballet shows for students
- Enhanced reputation through association with a professional ballet company
- Opportunities for students to be scouted for pre-professional programs
For Dancers
- Clear pathways to pre-professional training without overseas programs
- Exposure to professional standards through tailored workshops and feedback
- Potential opportunities for minor roles in Brisbane Ballet productions
- Access to discounted tickets for Brisbane Ballet performances
For Brisbane Ballet
- Expanded talent pool through early identification of promising dancers (aged 13+)
- Improved auditionee preparedness, reducing the 95% rejection rate for professional company work
- Strengthened community ties and broader recruitment reach through full-time program partnerships