Dirk Badenhorst, the CEO of the Cape Town International Ballet Competition, is proud to announce that 50 professional and non-professional dancers will compete in the third CTIBC, the most since the competition’s inception in 2008.
From the 25th February, dancers will be jetting in to the Mother City from various global destinations including the Republic of South Korea, Argentina, Armenia, Russia, the USA, Brazil, Australia, China and Cuba. The competitor group includes a strong South African contingent, with 22 dancers of varying ages entering from Gauteng, Kwazulu Natal and the Western Cape. The event takes place over one week from 27 February to 4 March 2012 at the Artscape Opera House.
For the first time in the history of the biennial CTIBC, male and female participants will be judged separately in both the classical and contemporary sections. For the Junior Division dancers are 15 to 18 years of age and for the Senior Division 19 to 28 years of age and competitors may appear either as soloists or couples. Dancers perform thrilling solos and Pas de Deux from well known ballets such as Le Corsaire, Don Quixote, The Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake and more. These outstanding dancers demonstrate superb technique, skill and artistry in a bid for the coveted Gold, Silver and Bronze medals and lucrative cash prizes in both Junior and Senior sections, that total R300,000.
In line with his association with the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP), Dirk Badenhorst has announced that a South African candidate of his choosing will be given the opportunity to compete in the YAGP in New York next April. The CTIBC will award the dancer a return air ticket to New York at the final Gala performance that will bring the competition to a close on Sunday 4 March.
Elimination rounds take place on Tuesday 28 and Wednesday 29 February and Thursday 1 March at 7pm, with tickets costing R40 per person. The Final is on Friday 2 March at 8pm, with tickets from R65 to R225. At the Gala performance on Saturday 3 March at 8pm, the winners will be announced. Due to the popularity of the Gala at previous competitions, a second gala has been added on Sunday 4 March at 3pm at which the CTIBC Winners and distinguished international and SA ballet stars will perform and the South African candidate to compete in the Youth America Grand Prix will be announced. Tickets for both Galas cost from R190 to R300. The entire event is at the Artscape Opera House in Cape Town.