Profile

The Royal New Zealand Ballet was formed in 1953 by Danish Royal Ballet Principal Dancer Poul Gnatt. The company’s early days of touring embodied the New Zealand pioneering spirit. Performing night in night out, company members unloaded and repacked the set, rigged the lights and ironed the costumes, with local community members providing accommodation. The spirit of those days survives, and the support of the New Zealand public remains. The Royal New Zealand Ballet is seen as an intrinsic part of the country’s national heritage.

The Royal New Zealand Ballet is a company of 32 dynamic dancers, performing an eclectic repertoire of outstanding dance, for national and international audiences, whilst continuing to build a style that is ultimately unique to this Company and Aotearoa, New Zealand. The demands of our audience, particularly within New Zealand, mean that we present an eclectic repertoire of choreographic styles, from 19th century classics to 21st century contemporary works. Our aim is to present dance of outstanding quality. We want to attract New Zealand and international dancers, choreographers and designers who will nurture and grow a company of international acclaim. New international and New Zealand choreography expresses these qualities and features prominently in the company’s repertoire.

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