Joint media statement - West Australian Ballet 'en pointe' in Jakarta

West Australian Ballet will perform in the Indonesian capital Jakarta for the first time in more than two decades, thanks to support from the Commonwealth and State Governments.

Joining West Australian Ballet's Artistic Director to announce the August tour today, Commonwealth Arts Minister Mitch Fifield and WA Minister for Culture and the Arts, John Day, said the visit was made possible by $114,440 in Catalyst funding, along with $20,000 from the WA Government.

Minister Fifield said this was an exciting opportunity for West Australian Ballet to share its experience and expertise.

"The tour is a great acknowledgement of the standard the company has reached, and a wonderful way to build the relationship between West Australian Ballet and the burgeoning Indonesian arts sector."

Minister Day said that the tour would help further strengthen important cultural ties with Australia's nearest neighbour.

"This will be an extensive educational and entertainment experience, but it also symbolises the strong and maturing partnership between our two nations," he said.

"Exchanges like this are vital. Not only will our dancers be showcasing their talents to Indonesian audiences and students, I am sure there is much they will learn about Indonesian dance and culture, as well."

West Australian Ballet will present a program of classical and contemporary works alongside performances by a youth ensemble comprising local Indonesian ballet students at the Jakarta Theatre, Taman Ismail Marzuki.

A series of workshops and masterclasses will also be held with local dance teachers and students, along with skills transfer sessions with Indonesian theatre technicians.

Fact File

• West Australian Ballet Jakarta tour will run from 2-7 August 2016
• The main performance program will include David Dawson's 5 and On the Nature of Daylight, a short solo from The Nutcracker, pas de deux from Beauty & the Beast, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa's La Pluie, and scenes from Jayne Smeulders' Cinderella
• West Australian Ballet receives $2.9 million per year in core funding from the West Australian State Government
• For more information, visit http://www.dca.wa.gov.au

WA Culture and the Arts Minister's office - 6552 6200 

WA Culture and the Arts Minister John Day and Federal Arts Minister Mitch Fifield with dancers Brooke Widdison-Jacobs (left) and Melissa Boniface