Celebrating 25 years of dance: Joburg Ballet's 2026 season launch
Joburg Ballet is stepping into its milestone Silver Jubilee year with a spectacular 2026 lineup that honours its roots while pushing boldly into the future. From 'Giselle' and 'Carmen' to an 'African choral ballet' and a new staging of 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory', the season celebrates 25 years of creativity, collaboration and world-class South African dance.
Image: Supplied
The Lesedi Theatre, Joburg Theatre, Joburg Ballet officially launched its highly anticipated 25th Anniversary Season for 2026, marking a quarter century of artistic excellence, transformation, and cultural impact since the company’s founding in 2001.
“This milestone Silver Jubilee year promises to be a monumental year of dance,” said Joburg Ballet CEO, Elroy Fillis-Bell. “From six dancers with a dream to a company that inspires a nation, our journey has been shaped by resilience, artistry, and the spirit of Johannesburg. As we celebrate 25 years, we honour our past and dance boldly into our future. Joburg Ballet’s next act begins now.”
The 25th Anniversary Season will feature a year-long programme of world-class productions, national and international tours, special events, exhibitions, artistic promotions, and new creative initiatives.
2026 Season Lineup: A Year of Dance to Remember
February – Giselle
A return to the company’s origins, exactly 25 years after it inaugurated Joburg Ballet.
Performances: 12–15 February at Joburg Theatre, Johannesburg.
Valentine’s Day special: 14 February, 2pm and 7pm.
Touring to Pretoria, Bloemfontein, and Gaborone (TBC).
April – Celestial Bodies
Critically acclaimed ballet choreographed by Mario Gaglione in partnership with Universe on Stage.
Venues: UJ’s Keorapetse William Kgositsile Theatre and Mandela Bay Theatre Complex, Gqeberha.
May – Mother’s Day Performance & 25th Anniversary Photography Exhibition
Special performance at Shepstone Gardens with Friends of the Ballet.
Photography exhibition tracing the company’s 25-year journey.
July – The Bacchae: An African Choral Ballet
A groundbreaking new full-length production directed by Jay Pather, choreographed by Mthuthuzeli November, with a score by Neo Muyanga.
Featuring the powerful voices of the UJ Choir at Joburg Theatre.
August – CONTRA Joburg Arts Festival
Performances in studios, galleries, and unconventional spaces across Johannesburg as part of the city-wide arts celebration.
September–October – Carmen
Veronica Paeper’s iconic, dramatic ballet returns to the Joburg Theatre main stage.
November–December – Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Choreographed by Mario Gaglione with a commissioned score by Mark Cheyne.
Presented in partnership with Joburg Ballet School and Academy.
Venues: Baxter Theatre (Cape Town), Joburg Theatre, Playhouse Theatre (Durban).
December – Joburg Ballet School Showcase
The season concludes with the festive performance showcasing the next generation of ballet stars.
New Initiatives & Announcements
RADAR: Choreographic Development Programme to nurture emerging creative voices.
Promotions & Appointments: A series of company promotions and new Associate Artists & Choreographer appointments, strengthening Joburg Ballet’s circle of creative collaborators.
Expanded Aspirant Programme: Offering more pre-professional training opportunities.
Joburg Ballet School Growth: Continuing to play a vital role in educational development and community outreach.
Speaking about RADAR, Fillis-Bell said: “This is not just an artistic project, it’s a skills-development engine. It creates jobs, commissions new work, and builds intellectual property that remains in the country. We are actively seeking partners to co-create this programme with us.”
Joburg Ballet Artistic Director Dane Hurst added, “As we step into our milestone year, we honour our heritage while embracing the future with renewed purpose. This Anniversary Season is a testament to artistic resilience, cultural leadership, and the transformative power of dance in South Africa.”