Sowing the seeds of imagination

Like many in our community, Libby was introduced to ballet as a child by her mother. A formative experience she credited with creating some of her most cherished memories. She was determined to offer that same gift to other children at a time when their imaginations are most creative and full of possibility. And so, the seed of Storytime Ballet was planted… 

David McAllister, Artistic Director of the company in 2015, shared Libby’s passion for engaging young minds and was instrumental in bringing her vision to fruition. He eagerly set about adapting the fairytale classic, The Sleeping Beauty, into a bite-sized work to inspire the next generation of dancers and dance lovers and remains creatively involved with the program to this day. 

Powered by the generosity of our philanthropic community, who raised $1.2 million to kick-start the program and continue to support it today, The Australian Ballet’s first season for young audiences came to be. The format was a resounding hit in 2015, and today – 10 years and more than 600 performances later – the critically acclaimed seasons have become a much-loved fixture in many families’ calendars. 

With each relaxed performance lasting just under an hour, the shows are gently guided by an experienced narrator who leads the audience through a classic fairytale and invites children in attendance – many who come dressed in their favourite ballet-inspired outfits – to participate along the way

Describing the atmosphere in the theatre, Becky Ruffell, Storytime Ballet Producer, shares, “To be in the audience, surrounded by hundreds of kids who are interacting with the show around you, waving and dancing, is a truly magical experience. You can feel the excitement in the air!

“I grew up seeing ballet from a young age and that was really formative for me,” Becky continues. “Sadly, Ballet isn’t always accessible, so it’s really special to be involved with a season like this that gives children the opportunity to experience a relaxed, live performance at such a young age.” 

In addition to inspiring creative minds and active lifestyles in the next generation, Storytime Ballet has also been a fertile ground for the careers of many of The Australian Ballet’s talented company members. Soloists Isobelle Dashwood and Mason Lovegrove, and Coryphées Timothy Coleman, Saranja Crowe and Montana Rubin all danced in the first season of Storytime Ballet. Meanwhile, Jasmin Dwyer and Chantelle van de Hoek, who also took to the stage in the inaugural season, went on to become The Australian Ballet’s Education and Outreach Program Producer and Team Leader, respectively, with Chantelle continuing to appear in Storytime performances to this day. 

Reflecting on the impact of Storytime Ballet, Artistic Director David Hallberg explains, “There is nothing like seeing ballet for the first time as a child. As a company, we’re committed to making ballet accessible to all and Storytime Ballet is crafted to give our youngest audiences a memorable introduction to the magic of ballet – sparking a passion for dance in children and families alike.”