The 2nd Prague Competition, a contest aimed at top pre-professional South African ballet dancers, has been announced in Cape Town recently. Qualifying dancers will compete for an opportunity to attend the 14th Prague International Ballet Masterclasses in August, 2016. The prize, valued at more than R40,000, includes return airfares to Prague, plus all other expenses paid.
The announcement was made by Keith Mackintosh, the Artistic Executive and Director of Outreach and Development of the Cape Town City Ballet (CTCB). Mackintosh is also the founder of the Keith Mackintosh Scholarship Fund which will sponsor the prize for the winner of the competition.

The event, which marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the fund, takes place at Artscape in Cape Town with the Final Round presented in the Artscape Opera House on Sunday, October 4 at 6 pm. It will follow the final performance of CTCB’s upcoming season of the captivating ballet, Giselle.

Said Mackintosh: “The aim of the fund is to support existing and emerging talent in the local ballet scene. Over the last 10 years, it has contributed various amounts to assist those in pursuit of their dreams, especially those from less privileged backgrounds.

“Through the arts I have enjoyed a happy and successful career. It is my wish to give something back by investing in the future of our young artists.”

The Prague International Ballet Masterclasses were established 13 years ago by the acclaimed Czech ballerina, Daria Klimentova. She was for many years the leading ballerina of London’s English National Ballet and South African audiences will remember her outstanding performances as guest artist in CTCB productions of The Nutcracker, Swan Lake and Giselle.

The final round of the 2nd Prague Competition is open to the public and will start with a class presented on the Artscape Opera House stage by Nicolette Loxton, former principal dancer at Capab Ballet and now a highly respected teacher.

After the class, the selected competitors will be required to perform a Classical Variation for the audience and adjudicators. The winner will be announced following a short guest performance.

At the first Prague Competition in 2011, Thomas Thorne, now a Senior Principal Dancer at CTCB, was the winner in the professional category and the pre-professional winner was Olivia Parfitt from Johannesburg.

Mlindi Kulashe, currently a dancer with Northern Ballet in England, was the first recipient of a Scholarship Award in 2008. At the time it assisted him with his studies in South Africa before he went to the English National Ballet School in London.

Male and female pre-professional classical ballet dancers (ages 16 to 19 on August 1, 2016) wishing to enter the competition are advised to send an e-mail toadmin@capetowncityballet.org.za for more information and entry forms.

Tickets for the Final Round of the 2nd Prague Competition at Artscape on Sunday, October 4  at 6 pm are available at Computicket or Artscape Dial-a-Seat on 021 421 7695.
Inquiries: www.capetowncityballet.org.za