Frequently Asked Questions
About
Q: What is Ballet Unleashed?
A: An innovative, enduring pathway for artists, Ballet Unleashed brings choreographers together with young dancers to explore new ways of creating dance, share artistic ideas and collaborate on a wide range of creative ballet projects. Born in response to the global pandemic, Ballet Unleashed facilitates global connections between artists and audiences to create performances long into the future.
Q: Who is leading this initiative?
A: This initiative is led by Canada’s National Ballet School, Dutch National Ballet Academy, and Palucca University of Dance Dresden — in collaboration with eight additional schools to start, including The Ailey School, The Australian Ballet School, Ballet School of the Opera National de Paris, Boston Ballet School, New Zealand School of Dance, San Francisco Ballet School, The Royal Ballet School and Royal Danish Ballet School.
Eligibility
Q: Who can apply for a Ballet Unleashed project?
A: Auditions for projects are open to graduates from the current or previous year who wish to begin their professional careers, and who have graduated from: The Ailey School, The Australian Ballet School, Ballet School of the Opera National de Paris, Boston Ballet School, Canada’s National Ballet School, Dutch National Ballet Academy, New Zealand School of Dance, Palucca University of Dance Dresden, San Francisco Ballet School, The Royal Ballet School and Royal Danish Ballet School. Ballet Unleashed highly values diversity and seeks dancers of all nationalities, cultural backgrounds and ethnicities. Our goal is to eventually invite dancers from across the globe to audition for projects with established and emerging choreographers.
Q: If I have been selected for one of Ballet Unleashed’s projects, am I eligible to be in a second project?
A: Yes.
Auditions
Q: What submission materials are required for a project application?
A: This is specific to each project, but normally includes a CV, headshot and a video link following the International Audition Pre-Selection Guidelines.
Q: How much is the audition registration and audition fee?
A: This audition registration and audition fee is free.
Location
Q: Where will auditions take place?
A: They currently take place over Zoom due to the international nature of commissioned projects.
Q: Where will rehearsals take place?
A: This is project specific, but most rehearsals will take place at one of the listed partner schools
Contracts
Q: What is the duration of a Ballet Unleashed contract?
A: Ballet Unleashed contracts are specific to each project, but will range between 3-5 months.
Q: Will dancers be paid for a Ballet Unleashed contract?
A: Dancers will be on salary for the duration of each project.
Q: What is included in contracts?
A: Ballet Unleashed offers new, lasting employment structures and creative formats for emerging artists that bypass or complement traditional ones. Employment with Ballet Unleashed includes
Creative process and rehearsal time with an emerging or established choreographer.
Collaborative opportunities with other artists in the field from all over the world.
Experiences that will enhance resumes.
Mentorship opportunities.
Q: Am I allowed to do other work while I work for Ballet Unleashed?
A: Yes.
Expansion and Support
Q: I am a graduate interested in applying for this project, but am not from one of your partner schools. How can I take part?
A: We appreciate your interest and look forward to widely welcoming graduates from more schools once we have moved beyond our current start-up phase. In the meantime, we encourage dancers to share your interest with your school’s director, and welcome the opportunity to collaborate with more schools offering professional ballet training to join Ballet Unleashed.
Q: How can I join this initiative?
A: Ballet Unleashed is in its start-up phase, providing opportunities for graduates from the current 11 affiliate schools. As we work on plans for further projects, and secure funding for the initiative, our goal is to widely expand and welcome emerging artists to participate from schools across the globe.
Q: Can I support this project?
A: We seek and welcome private and public funding and in-kind support for Ballet Unleashed, which includes but is not limited to financial support for the overall initiative, commissioned projects (e.g., artistic process including rehearsal and training space, filming, additional resources, etc.), and further innovative ideas that will support our endurance long into the future.
Contact
Q: Is there a director or company manager?
A: There is no overall Artistic Director of Ballet Unleashed. Each choreographer is the Director of their creative process.
Q: Is there someone I can reach out to if I have any questions?
A: Yes, if your question(s) have not been answered above, please contact Anaya Bobst, Director and Lead Producer, Ballet Unleashed at anayabobst.@gmail.com.