Singapore Dance Theatre presents Celebration in Dance 2016
Performances by Eight Royal Academy of Dance Schools
21 August 2016 | Esplanade Theatre
Schubert Symphony by Choo-San Goh
Opus 25 by Edwaard Liang

For the first time ever, Singapore Dance Theatre (SDT) has collaborated with Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) for a one night only performance, entitled “A Celebration in Dance”. Happening on 21 August 2016 at The Esplanade Theatre, the intention is to invite RAD schools, located in Singapore, to perform alongside SDT in a gala evening performance. It is a unique opportunity where participating schools can perform on the main stage of the Esplanade Theatre, for their friends and family, as well as their fellow students. Eight RAD school groups have been selected to perform at the evening, along with SDT’s performance of Schubert Symphony by Choo-San Goh and Opus 25 by Edwaard Liang.

“Celebration in Dance is a unique, one of a kind collaboration developed by the Royal Academy of Dance and Singapore Dance Theatre (SDT). It is our hope to bring student dancers closer to professional dance performance through this experience with SDT to celebrate something that is magical and special in the art of dance and performance. Students devote themselves to the study of ballet to experience both the process of learning and the rewards of dancing in front of an audience. It is my desire to create memories for young dancers that will last beyond the moments of preparation and performance and carry over into their future lives. These kinds of things are priceless and have an incomparable value connected to them. Moments like these are what we wish for our children and I welcome you to join us for the experience.” says Artistic Director Janek Schergen.

Performances by Royal Academy of Dance Schools

The RAD groups that will be performing are Dance Thrilogy, Dance Pointe, The Ballet School, Singapore Ballet Academy, City Ballet Academy, Crestar Learning Centre, Dance Station and Dance Spectrum.

The RAD is one of the world’s most influential dance education organisations. RAD exams set standards in classical ballet and they are a global leader in Continuing Professional Development for dance. Today, RAD has a presence in 83 countries, with 36 offices and about 14,000 members worldwide. Now in the 95th year, RAD continues to promote and develop excellence in dance. Their syllabi are taught around the world and thousands of students are enrolled on many dance courses and study programmes.

Schubert Symphony
Choreography: Choo-San Goh
Staging: Janek Schergen
Music: Franz Schubert’s Symphony No. 2 in B flat.

By now, the hallmarks which distinguish the best of Choo-San Goh’s creations are well known: an inimitable sense of propulsion and timing, keen eye for line, extraordinary sensitivity to the music and the intelligent sculpting of dance gestures from Asian and Western classical traditions within a modern sensibility and language. There was no doubt that Goh was an artist well in tune with the demands and needs of his time. Yet, given his penchant to experiment with his Asian heritage and Western training, he was capable of surprises set to Franz Schubert’s symphony No. 2. Goh’s ballet is conceived as a purely classical work. After its premiere it was stated that Schubert Symphony was “a major triumph… An eagerly awaited world premiere…” By the prevailing standard of ballet choreography, Schubert Symphony is unquestionably a fine work. It demonstrates, beyond a fine work. It demonstrates, beyond a shadow of doubt, that Goh can manipulate a stripped down neoclassical idiom skilfully.

Opus 25
Choreography: Edwaard Liang
Music: Philip Glass and Thomas Newman

Opus 25 is a specially commissioned work for SDT’s 25th Anniversary in 2013, choreographed to showcase the talents of SDT. Danced to a dynamic composition by American composer Michael Torke, this piece showcases the development of the organisation over 25 years. The ballet is a grand spectacle, featuring 32 dancers, and brings out the unique attributes and personalities of the dancers in SDT. It was restaged at Ballet Under the Stars 2014, as well as Masterpiece in Motion 2015 and gained much appreciation from the audiences.

FAST FACTS

Title : Celebration in Dance
Date : 21 August 2016 (Sunday)
Venue : Esplanade Theatre
Time : 7pm
Ticket prices : $50, $70, $90 (SISTIC fees apply)

10% concessions for:
-Children aged 12 and below/Students/NSF/Senior Citizens
-Group of 4 or more

Ticket Sales Date: General Sales: 27 June – 21 August 2016
Tickets are available at all authorised SISTIC outlets and SDT Office.
Email ticketing@singaporedancetheatre.com or call 6338 0611 for ticket enquires.