Young South African star-in-the-making, Leroy Mokgatle, gets invited to perform in Stars of American Ballet at Montecasino. Photo by Pat Bromilow-Downing.

Thanks to enthusiastic demand for tickets for this weekend’s performances of Stars of American Ballet, additional seats in the balconies at Montecasino’s Teatro in Johannesburg have been opened.

It’s the first event of its kind in over 30 years where such a group of outstanding American ballet dancers will perform in South Africa, representing New York City Ballet and other leading companies in the Americas. There are five performances only, taking place on Friday 20 June 2014 at 8pm; Saturday 21 June at 3pm and 8pm; and Sunday 22 June at 11am and 3pm. See further booking details below.

Two SA-based dancers get added to the line-up

For all those who followed the exciting South African International Ballet Competition (SAIBC) in February this year, you’ll be happy to know that audience-favourite, 14-year-old Leroy Mokgatle has been invited to perform at this weekend’s Stars of American Ballet, as well as at Stars of American Ballet in the Bush in aid of rhino conservation, taking place at Legend Golf and Safari Resort in Limpopo Province on 23 and 24 June.

Audiences will see his solo from Satanella, which helped him win the SAIBC silver medal in Cape Town in February, as well as a bronze medal at the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) in New York in April. This youngster, who trains with Art of Motion in Johannesburg, makes for an inspiring example of the future of home-grown ballet talent in South Africa.

Kitty Phetla rehearsing Nikiya’s Lament at Montecasino ahead of the Stars of American Ballet galas. Photo by Bill Zurich

The second South African dancer invited to perform alongside the Americans is Kitty Phetla from Joburg Ballet. As one of South Africa’s first professional black ballerinas, she has become a major role model for thousands of young aspiring South Africans.

Kitty Phetla has also become known as a talented choreographer and contemporary dancer, but for this weekend, she will perform Nikiya’s Lament from the Russian classic, La Bayadère, offering audiences a short highlight from the upcoming full-scale ballet production of La Bayadère by Joburg Ballet at the Joburg Theatre in September.

Click here for more stories and information behind the Stars of American Ballet gala performances, or follow these booking details to get your seats while you still can – there won’t be many left!

Booking Details:

Dates: 20 June 2014 at 8pm; 21 June 2014 at 3pm and 8pm; 22 June at 11am and 3pm.
Venue: The Teatro at Montecasino, Johannesburg
Tickets: from R150 to R420 via Computicket.

Claiming that this cultural wildlife adventure will be “luxury for a cause”, Dirk Badenhorst says the event was designed to raise awareness of the devastating onslaught on Africa’s rhinos, with proceeds being donated to The Rhino Orphanage.

Graciously supporting the initiative is US ballerina Michaela DePrince, and as patron of this Ballet in the Bush rhino orphan project, she brings her own remarkable story as an African orphan herself.

From an African orphanage to the international ballet stage

Born into war-ravaged Sierra Leone, Michaela DePrince saw her parents die while just a toddler. Once in the orphanage, the combination of a skin disorder and local superstitions meant that she was labelled the “devil’s child” and was ignored, mistreated and malnourished.

She was only four years old, left with a bleak future and little hope.

Michaela DePrince during rehearsals for Stars of American Ballet. Photo by Bill Zurich

But hope arrived in the form of a picture in a magazine that blew up against a gate – a picture of an American ballerina en pointe. From that moment, little Michaela only wished to become that exact person on tippy toes and her obsession with ballet began – even as unknown as ‘ballet’ was to her then.

Shortly after, she was adopted by a loving American family and soon ballet lessons led to ballet competitions and then full-length professional ballet productions.

Now Michaela brings her hope and inspiration to the rhino orphans who need every bit of hope and help. This tailor-made Ballet in the Bush adventure includes a game drive, an opportunity to play on the World-in-One Signature Golf Course at the resort, and of course the highlight will be a gala performance in an outdoor amphitheatre by international ballet stars, directed by New York City Ballet principal Joaquin de Luz.

Isaac Hernandez and Michaela DePrince rehearsing a scene from Don Quixote. Photo by Bill Zurich

In addition to highlights from major classics such as Le Corsaire, Don Quixote and Diana and Actaeon, the Stars of American Ballet programme also showcases choreography never before performed in South Africa, such as works by legendary choreographer George Balanchine, including his Broadway inspired classic, the Who Cares Suite.

So, are you looking for a little adventure for a good cause? Can you make things happen on short notice? Yes? Well here’s what you need to know…

See Joaquin de Luz, principal at New York City Ballet perform in Stars of American Ballet. Seen here with fellow NYCB principal Ana Sophia Scheller.

Details for Stars of American Ballet in the Bush

Dates: Monday 23 June and Tuesday 24 June 2014
Venue: Legend Golf and Safari Resort, Waterberg, Limpopo Province
Safari Package price: R1 800 per person sharing, or R2 300 for a single Safari Package (or ask about the group/corporate packages), which includes a donation to The Rhino Orphanage.

Package includes:

• 1 Ticket to the Stars of American Ballet performance and Gala Dinner function.
• Pre-performance cocktails and snacks.
• 1 Night accommodation at Legend Golf & Safari Resort.
• Breakfast.
• Game Drive in the Big 5 Entabeni Safari Conservancy.

Valid for 23 June 2014. Terms and conditions apply. Additional nights available.

For more information contact:
Dirk Badenhorst on 083 324 0949 or badenhorstdirk.db@gmail.com
Lindsay McDonald on 011 877 6900 or lindsay@dirkbadenhorst.com
Jonathan Hurwitz on 011 877 6901 or jonathan@dirkbadenhorst.com