After making her mark on the European ballet stage, South African dancer Daniella Venter returned home to join WGRUV for a showcase of contemporary and classical dance.
South African contemporary ballet company WGRUV brought together international talent and acclaimed choreography in its production, Highlights: Tracing the Line, with South African-born dancer Daniella Venter returning home to perform after establishing her career in Europe.
The production, staged at the UJ Arts Centre in Johannesburg from 20 to 23 August, before moving to Cape Town, showcased a programme of contemporary and neo-classical works by internationally recognised choreographers alongside original creations by WGRUV founders Holly and Lex Gruver.
Venter began her ballet training in South Africa before moving to Berlin to study at the Staatliche Ballettschule Berlin. She now dances with the Bayerisches Staatsballett in Munich, where she has built an extensive repertoire spanning classical productions including Giselle, Romeo and Juliet, Swan Lake and La Bayadère, as well as contemporary works by leading international choreographers.
Her appearance with WGRUV marked a homecoming and added an international dimension to the Johannesburg-based company’s 2026 season, which had already toured the Roodepoort Theatre before concluding at Cape Town’s Homecoming Centre.
Highlights: Tracing the Line explored movement as a form of storytelling, with each work examining themes of line, emotion and human connection. The programme featured choreography by Jessica Lang, Lauren Lovette, Jesse Obremski and Robyn Mineko Williams, reflecting a blend of contemporary dance and classical ballet influences.
Founded in Johannesburg by artistic director Holly Gruver, WGRUV has established itself as one of South Africa’s leading contemporary ballet companies, collaborating with local and international artists to create original productions. By inviting guest performers such as Venter, the company continued its commitment to connecting South African audiences and dancers with the wider international dance community.
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Dancers from the South African contemporary ballet company WGRUV perform in a production titled Highlights: Tracing the Line, 20 August 2026, at the UJ Arts Centre in Johannesburg. The production will run till 23 August and then move to Cape Town, showcasing a programme of contemporary and neo-classical works by internationally recognised choreographers alongside original creations by WGRUV founders Holly and Lex Gruver. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen
Dancers from the South African contemporary ballet company WGRUV perform in a production titled Highlights: Tracing the Line, 20 August 2026, at the UJ Arts Centre in Johannesburg. The production will run till 23 August and then move to Cape Town, showcasing a programme of contemporary and neo-classical works by internationally recognised choreographers alongside original creations by WGRUV founders Holly and Lex Gruver. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen
Dancers from the South African contemporary ballet company WGRUV perform in a production titled Highlights: Tracing the Line, 20 August 2026, at the UJ Arts Centre in Johannesburg. The production will run till 23 August and then move to Cape Town, showcasing a programme of contemporary and neo-classical works by internationally recognised choreographers alongside original creations by WGRUV founders Holly and Lex Gruver. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen
Dancers from the South African contemporary ballet company WGRUV perform in a production titled Highlights: Tracing the Line, 20 August 2026, at the UJ Arts Centre in Johannesburg. The production will run till 23 August and then move to Cape Town, showcasing a programme of contemporary and neo-classical works by internationally recognised choreographers alongside original creations by WGRUV founders Holly and Lex Gruver. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen
Dancers from the South African contemporary ballet company WGRUV perform in a production titled Highlights: Tracing the Line, 20 August 2026, at the UJ Arts Centre in Johannesburg. The production will run till 23 August and then move to Cape Town, showcasing a programme of contemporary and neo-classical works by internationally recognised choreographers alongside original creations by WGRUV founders Holly and Lex Gruver. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen
Dancers from the South African contemporary ballet company WGRUV perform in a production titled Highlights: Tracing the Line, 20 August 2026, at the UJ Arts Centre in Johannesburg. The production will run till 23 August and then move to Cape Town, showcasing a programme of contemporary and neo-classical works by internationally recognised choreographers alongside original creations by WGRUV founders Holly and Lex Gruver. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen
Dancers from the South African contemporary ballet company WGRUV perform in a production titled Highlights: Tracing the Line, 20 August 2026, at the UJ Arts Centre in Johannesburg. The production will run till 23 August and then move to Cape Town, showcasing a programme of contemporary and neo-classical works by internationally recognised choreographers alongside original creations by WGRUV founders Holly and Lex Gruver. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen
Dancers from the South African contemporary ballet company WGRUV perform in a production titled Highlights: Tracing the Line, 20 August 2026, at the UJ Arts Centre in Johannesburg. The production will run till 23 August and then move to Cape Town, showcasing a programme of contemporary and neo-classical works by internationally recognised choreographers alongside original creations by WGRUV founders Holly and Lex Gruver. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen
Dancers from the South African contemporary ballet company WGRUV perform in a production titled Highlights: Tracing the Line, 20 August 2026, at the UJ Arts Centre in Johannesburg. The production will run till 23 August and then move to Cape Town, showcasing a programme of contemporary and neo-classical works by internationally recognised choreographers alongside original creations by WGRUV founders Holly and Lex Gruver. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen
Dancers from the South African contemporary ballet company WGRUV perform in a production titled Highlights: Tracing the Line, 20 August 2026, at the UJ Arts Centre in Johannesburg. The production will run till 23 August and then move to Cape Town, showcasing a programme of contemporary and neo-classical works by internationally recognised choreographers alongside original creations by WGRUV founders Holly and Lex Gruver. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen
Dancers from the South African contemporary ballet company WGRUV perform in a production titled Highlights: Tracing the Line, 20 August 2026, at the UJ Arts Centre in Johannesburg. The production will run till 23 August and then move to Cape Town, showcasing a programme of contemporary and neo-classical works by internationally recognised choreographers alongside original creations by WGRUV founders Holly and Lex Gruver. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen
Dancers from the South African contemporary ballet company WGRUV perform in a production titled Highlights: Tracing the Line, 20 August 2026, at the UJ Arts Centre in Johannesburg. The production will run till 23 August and then move to Cape Town, showcasing a programme of contemporary and neo-classical works by internationally recognised choreographers alongside original creations by WGRUV founders Holly and Lex Gruver. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen
Dancers from the South African contemporary ballet company WGRUV perform in a production titled Highlights: Tracing the Line, 20 August 2026, at the UJ Arts Centre in Johannesburg. The production will run till 23 August and then move to Cape Town, showcasing a programme of contemporary and neo-classical works by internationally recognised choreographers alongside original creations by WGRUV founders Holly and Lex Gruver. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen
Dancers from the South African contemporary ballet company WGRUV perform in a production titled Highlights: Tracing the Line, 20 August 2026, at the UJ Arts Centre in Johannesburg. The production will run till 23 August and then move to Cape Town, showcasing a programme of contemporary and neo-classical works by internationally recognised choreographers alongside original creations by WGRUV founders Holly and Lex Gruver. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen
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