Studio Hire

Applications must be submitted at least 4 weeks prior to the requested hire date. Late submissions will not be considered. For projects requiring complex logistics (e.g. props storage or large creative teams), applicants are encouraged to submit a hire request at least 8 weeks in advance to discuss their requirements.

Applications will be reviewed in the order they are received. Relevant staff will assess eligible applications based on their alignment with The Australian Ballet’s artistic priorities and practical considerations. Applicants will be notified of a decision within 5 business days of submission, provided all required materials have been submitted.

Please note this guide is provided as a rough estimate of our overall availability for hire as at March 2025 and is subject to change:

• April - May: Low availability
• June - August: Moderate availability
• September - October: Low availability
• November - December: Good availability

Successful applicants of this initiative will receive access to one of our individual studios with the hire cost covered by The Australian Ballet. Please note that administration and maintenance costs still apply.

To be eligible for Supported Studio Hire, applicants or projects must have a foundation in dance, choreography, or body-based practice. Applicants must also provide a one-page document in their request that:

• Introduces and outlines the project brief.
• Demonstrates why in-kind access to our studios is essential for their project needs.
• Provides a project plan that details planned use of studio within the requested dates.

Please be aware The Australian Ballet holds regular private and public classes both in the mornings and evenings, and all hires are subject to the availability of the studios and the discretion of the Company. The Hirer will be obligated to use our studios and the associated facilities, equipment and services in a safe, proper and efficient manner as outlined in the Studio Hire Agreement. This obligation includes the following terms and conditions:

Permitted Use

The studio will be made available to the Hirer during our normal business hours, 9:00am to 6:00pm Monday to Friday. Hire periods outside of these hours will incur additional charges to cover the cost of administration, security and cleaning staff.

The Australian Ballet often requires the use of the studios outside of the hours of the available hire period, for example, the evenings for Studios classes. It is agreed that the Hirer will leave the space clear of any props or equipment on a daily basis throughout the hire period, unless otherwise negotiated in advance.

Prohibited Uses

The Primrose Potter Australian Ballet Centre is a totally smoke-free environment including the use of vapes or any personal smoking device. Any naked flame or similar devices in the studio is also prohibited.

The service or consumption of alcohol in our studio or anywhere on the premises is strictly prohibited during the terms of the hire.

The Hirer will submit a risk register when confirming the studio hire. All risks and hazards are to be discussed with the Artistic Coordinator prior to use of the space.

Protection of our Studio Floors

As our vinyl studios floors are treated with a protective coating, we ask that the Hirer and any other persons in the studio only wear soft shoes, dance specific footwear or go barefoot when in the studio. We prefer that any kind of socks/tights be avoided where possible as these can polish the protective coating off our floors making the surface slippery. Use of any hard shoes, stilettos or sharp edges of props or equipment directly on the studio floor is strictly prohibited.

If the Hirer intends to hold any activity that is not necessarily related to dance (eg. hosting a seminar or conference) or involves a seated audience, additional costs may be incurred to install carpeted flooring to protect our dance floors. Additional equipment hire of audience chairs and/or installation of carpet is available to request.

Pianos

Each studio includes a piano courtesy of Kawaii which cannot be moved from their position nor removed from the studio as part of the studio hire. These pianos are available for use by any pianists involved in the Hirer’s activity. The pianos must be closed and covered with the provided cover after use.

To ensure that these pianos are properly maintained no objects, props or equipment (including food or drinks) must be placed on the pianos at any point. If the Hirer does not require the piano for their hire activity, these pianos must not be played.

Electrical Equipment

All electrical equipment used in our studios that is not the property of The Australian Ballet must be tested and tagged at the Hirer’s expense prior to the commencement of the hiring period.

Insurance

The Hirer must obtain the appropriate insurance, such as public liability insurance and workers compensation insurance for employees of the Hirer. Copies of all relevant insurances must be provided to The Australian Ballet prior to commencing the hiring period.

Working with Children’s Check

The Hirer is responsible for ensuring that the Hirer, its agents and contractors on the premises hold current valid Working with Children’s Checks during the hiring period.

Damages

The Hirer shall not under any circumstance cause or allow to be caused any damage to the building including equipment. In the event damage is caused as a direct result of the Hirer’s use (including but not limited to by any of the Hirers' patrons), the Hirer must notify The Australian Ballet of any damage at the time of its occurrence. Any costs associated with such damage will be the Hirer’s responsibility, as determined by The Australian Ballet.

Waste Management

The Australian Ballet provides general waste and recycling receptacles throughout the premises. Reasonable quantities of waste may be disposed of at The Australian Ballet. Excess waste that does not fit into these receptacles must be removed from the building by the Hirer. If additional bin pickups are required as part of the hire, this cost will be passed onto the Hirer.

The Australian Ballet has four individual studios available for hire which we regularly use for ballet and rehabilitation classes, rehearsals, creative developments, corporate workshops as well as classes in our public Studios Program.

These studios are identical in size.

• Length
  Wall to wall: 11900mm (Shorter wall on door side: 10190mm)
• Width
  Wall to windows: 13927mm (Shorter wall on door side: 12217mm)
• Height
  Double height ceilings: 4800mm
• Capacity
  30 pax (rehearsal/dance)
  40 pax (if including seated audience)

We have one available combined studio made from two of the individual studios with a concertina dividing wall removed. We regularly use the combined studio for company ballet classes, large scale rehearsals, as well as classes in our public Studios Program.

Please note if the combined studio is in use, only two other individual studios will be available simultaneously.

• Length
  Wall to wall: 27792mm
• Width
  Wall to windows: 13927mm
  •Narrows at the dividing wall opening to: 12217mm
  • Widens slightly on Northeast side to: 15654mm
• Height
  Double height ceilings: 4800mm
  Height at moveable wall: 4455mm
• Capacity
  90 pax maximum

All of the studios include the following specifications

• Lighting
  • Overhead LED lights for full studio space
  • Skylights (no cover or black out available for skylights)
  • Windows on the Western façade with privacy blinds, not total blackout
• Floors
  Sprung floors covered in Harlequin studio vinyl.
  No rake / flat flooring.
  Floors treated in protective, non-slip coating.
• Studio access
  During normal business hours (Mon-Fri, 9:00-6:00pm), there is free public access to Level 5. Further entry to the studios themselves requires a building pass supplied by TAB.
• Pathway dimensions from lift to studio
  • Lift Doors: 1390mmW x 2080mmH
  • Glass sliding doors through to studios: 1200mmW x 2380mmH
  • Studio double doors opening: 1560mmW x 2010mmH
• In-studio equipment
  • ballet barres installed on 3 x walls
  • 1 x wall mirrored
  • 1-2 x freestanding ballet barres
  • 1 x Kawaii piano
• AV equipment
  Each studio is fitted with a sound system that includes:
  • Bluetooth connectivity
  • Auxiliary input
  • CD player
• Internet access
  Wi-fi access available upon request.
• Additional information
  Smoke/Haze or any other atmospheric effects are strictly prohibited in the studios as all studios are fitted with smoke detectors.
  Hire includes non-exclusive access to the common areas and facilities shared by the building staff and visitors such as:
  • Toilets and changerooms
  • Use of the deli foyer
  • Water fountain/cooler
• Emergency exits
  From the studio via The Australian Ballet’s studio corridors, foyers or the Australian Ballet School.
  These exits must be kept clear of props or equipment at all times.
  Note: All emergency exits are via stairs