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En pointe: Queensland Ballet expands its reach with Gold Coast deal

The Queensland Ballet has revealed plans to establish a performing home at the Gold Coast’s Home of the Arts (HOTA) and construct a purpose-built Production Arts Centre at Yatala, aiming to ‘truly be Queensland’s ballet company’.

Sep 10, 2021, updated Sep 10, 2021
Rendering of the Roy and Nola Thompson Production Centre (Image: Supplied)

Rendering of the Roy and Nola Thompson Production Centre (Image: Supplied)

The Production Arts Centre will include workshop and storage spaces to house the company’s sets and costumes, a purpose-built 500-person theatre, and ideas-sharing spaces to support the development of the artistic community. 

Li Cunxin, Queensland Ballet’s Artistic Director, said they want to make Queenslanders proud of their state ballet company, no matter where they are from, which begins with establishing roots on the Gold Coast. 

“To truly be Queensland’s ballet company, we strive to engage meaningfully with the wonderful communities that make up our state,” he said.

The Roy and Nola Production Centre on the Gold Coast will join our Thomas Dixon Centre in West End and our Academy at Kelvin Grove, as the final piece of our puzzle. 

“TDC is our headquarters and where our dancers and main enabling teams reside and flourish, and where our new Studio Theatre will host all our studio seasons.

“The Academy is where we nurture our young, emerging dancers and our leading artistic teaching faculty.

“Our Production Centre will house our productions: sets, costumes, props and, in time, our arts-makers. Currently, our valuable assets are spread about and stored in less-than-ideal conditions. This Centre will contain a climate-controlled environment and bespoke storage capability, which is a big game-changer for us.”  

The official partnership between HOTA and Queensland Ballet will see HOTA present two seasons in 2022 with plans for future seasons underway. 

Rendering of the Production Arts Centre (Image: Supplied)

In 2020, the company performed a limited season of Giselle on HOTA’s outdoor stage in October, after having to postpone the planned 2020 season.

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“After such a positive reception from our Giselle season, QB and HOTA have harnessed our chemistry, and I am beyond excited to announce that both seasons at HOTA in 2022 will be exclusive to the Gold Coast: The Sleeping Beauty in February and Rooster/B-Sides in November,” said Cunxin. 

“Our new partnership is really going to open up some wonderful, collaborative opportunities and we can’t wait to welcome our audiences and community to HOTA – from the Gold Coast and beyond.”   

HOTA Chief Executive Criena Gehrke said they were “beyond delighted” to welcome QB to their home away from home on the Gold Coast. 

“Our audiences have always loved Queensland Ballet and we have a strong dance community here, so this partnership makes perfect sense,” said Gehrke.  

“Li and Queensland Ballet share our values and vision of engaging deeply with communities and the absolute power of great art to bring us together and make a difference to our world.  Over the coming years, HOTA and QB will continue to develop our partnership, creating new opportunities for both audiences and artists.  The Gold Coast is in for a treat.”

City of Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said QB’s establishment on the Gold Coast was an historic milestone. 

“This decision will underscore our city’s commitment as an arts and cultural heartland, and I warmly thank Queensland Ballet for their vision and passion for the Gold Coast.”  

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