South African dancers join Stars of American Ballet

From 20 to 22 June, Kitty Phetla and Leroy Mokgatle will dance alongside acclaimed visiting dancers who have performed with New York City Ballet and other leading companies in the US.

Stars of American Ballet is directed by Joaquin de Luz, principal with the New York City Ballet and one of the leading male dancers in the world today.

Phetla, of Joburg Ballet is one of South Africa’s most unique dancers, in that she is an admired performer, talented choreographer and, as a black ballerina, a role model and inspiration to thousands of young South Africans.

Phetla will perform Nikiya’s Lament from the Russian classic La Bayadère, offering audiences a tantalising glimpse of a highlight from the sumptuous ballet which will be seen in a full-scale production when Joburg Ballet brings La Bayadère to the Joburg Theatre in September.

Mokgatle, although just 14 years old, has already made an impressive impact on audiences in South Africa and abroad, winning a silver medal at the South African International Ballet Competition in Cape Town in February, and a bronze medal at the Youth America Grand Prix in New York in April. The competition is the world’s largest international ballet competition and Mokgatle’s achievement was a proud moment not only for him but for all South Africans.

Mokgatle’s participation in Stars of American Ballet symbolises the passing on of the baton from today’s great dancers to the dancers of the future. He will perform the solo from Satanella that helped him win medals in Cape Town and New York earlier this year.

In addition to highlights from major classics such as Le Corsaire, Don Quixote and Diana and Actaeon, the twelve visiting American stars will also perform works not previously seen in South Africa. Adding a stamp of American ballet distinction will be works by legendary choreographer George Balanchine, including his Broadway inspired classic, the Who Cares Suite.

Details: www.compucticket.co.za