Our Company
The Australian Ballet is one of the world’s leading ballet companies and a globally recognised Australian major performing arts organisation. As a national company, each year the company presents upwards of 220 performances through its mainstage seasons in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Canberra and Perth along with public programs, special events, an extensive regional tour, a Children’s Ballet and Education programs and regular overseas tours.
Orchestra Victoria, (OV), provides pit services for ballet and opera in Victoria, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Australian Ballet. The Australian Ballet and Orchestra Victoria have an annual turnover of more than $70 million and employ over 265 staff.
What is the Australian Ballet Education & Outreach First Nations Traineeship?
The Australian Ballet Traineeship Program is a multidisciplinary dance-based program that provides young First Nations artists with the opportunity to present dance experiences to youth across Australia. This is a paid work experience opportunity that can be tailored to suit the skills and career aspirations of the trainees while working alongside some of Australia's best dance educators.
In the past 16 years, The Australian Ballet Education and Outreach Team has delivered its program to over 200,000 people in Australia who may not have been able to access a ballet experience because of their financial, geographic or social circumstances. Trainees are employed for 16 weeks within the team and take part in touring and Melbourne-based training, performing and teaching activities. These activities include workshops for pre-school, primary and secondary students, as well as creative and community residencies, including performances designed for young audiences.
Find out more about the Education & Outreach team here.
Why become an Australian Ballet Trainee?
As an Australian Ballet Trainee - depending on your interests and abilities - you can expect the following outcomes;
• Pathways to further your career
• Increased confidence in community dance delivery
• Dance and/or performance opportunities
• Access to mentorships by industry professionals
• Enhanced teaching and class planning skills
• Development of choreographic techniques
• Access to watch company shows and rehearsals
• Enhanced leadership and team-building skills
• Interstate touring experience
What can The Australian Ballet Education and Outreach Team do for you?
The Education and Outreach team of The Australian Ballet offers an engaging and non-threatening way to be introduced to the work behind the scenes of one of Australia’s leading arts companies.
You will be provided with a mentorship opportunity with Ella Havelka (Australian Ballet and Bangarra Dance Theatre Alumni), Tristan Field (Composer and Producer), and other dancers and staff from within the ranks of The Australian Ballet. We can organise introductions with the various departments in the company and extend this reach out to the broader arts community, providing you with industry contacts to help further your career.
Roles and Responsibilities include:
Learning and training
• Take part in team briefings and training
• Take part in training related to community engagement and teaching strategies
• Learn sections of the two Education performances (An adapted ballet by Paul Knobloch/ a contemporary duet by Ella Havelka)
• Read and gain knowledge of The Australian Curriculum in relation to teaching dance content
Dance education delivery
• Plan and deliver lessons supported by the Education & Outreach team
• Deliver small exercises, games, sequences and generally support the team in teaching (after a period of training)
• Represent The Australian Ballet on tour as a dancer and educator
Becoming a Trainee
(Knowledge, skills, abilities and qualifications)
Trainees must be of First Nations descent and currently in (or recently graduated from) performing arts training in an institution or tertiary training program.
You will be required to have excellent communication skills and respond promptly to both written and verbal correspondence. Trainees must demonstrate a basic understanding of safe dance practice and be willing to get a Police Check and
a Working With Children Check (This can be done once employed).
Most importantly, you must demonstrate capacity as a team player and a suitable role model for young people.
How to Apply
Please apply by providing a cover letter, brief resume and a short dance video to learning@ australianballet.com.au
• The cover letter should outline your interest in the role and any specific outcomes you would hope to achieve in your traineeship (you may submit your cover letter as a recorded video if you prefer).
• The resume should outline your training and dance experience. This can be short and could be combined with your cover letter.
• The video should demonstrate a high level of technical dance ability - please note that this does not need to be ballet.
• To see the work of some of our past participants click here (note the traineeship used to be known as a cadetship): Role models through dance | The Australian Ballet
To apply or for more information contact learning@ australianballet.com.au
We look forward to receiving your application!
Diversity and Inclusion
At The Australian Ballet, diversity and inclusion are integral to our mission to create an extraordinarily vibrant and successful company, and to present performances that represent Australian culture at its best. We believe that our workforce should reflect the rich diversity of the Australian community.
We embrace difference and diversity of identity, experience and thought, and we actively strive to create an inclusive workplace. By promoting these values, we aim to create a positive work experience that encourages a sense of belonging.