PUBLISHED May 13th, 2013 03:15 am | UPDATED July 25th, 2024 03:22 pm
Singapore Dance Theatre (SDT) is proud to be celebrating its 25th Silver Anniversary this year. Since its establishment in 1988, the company has built its reputation as Singapore’s premier dance institution. In conjunction with the celebrations, the SDT will present a 25th Anniversary Gala performance on 31 May and 1 June at the Esplanade Theatre, featuring a myriad of the best and most memorable pieces from its repertoire. The Gala will be one that will pay tribute to SDT’s past, celebrate the present and represent the Company’s anticipation towards the future.
The Artistic Director of the SDT, Janek Schergen, has been the driving force behind the company for the Company. He is credited for taking the SDT to its current international standard. ‘My involvement with SDT stretches from 1988 in an unbroken series of artistic projects for virtually all of its 25 year history. I’ve worked with all the dancers from company class through daily rehearsals and onto stage for performance. I have memories of wonderful ballets and dancers through that time that have continued with moments created by the present SDT. It is a testament to the founders that we have become as established as we are today’, said Janek Schergen.
The Gala Performance will commence with a performance of Goh Choo San’s Beginnings, the first ballet ever performed by SDT. This will be followed by Serenade, the most performed ballet by George Balanchine, the father of neoclassical ballet; ZIN!, an upbeat and vibrant piece by renowned Dutch choreographer Nils Christe; Sleeping Beauty Pas De Deux; as well as a newly commissioned work by award-winning Chinese-American choreographer, Edwaard Liang, featuring the full company of SDT dancers, and Fives by Goh Choo San.
The repertoire for the gala was chosen by Janek and each piece has a special significance for the SDT. ‘The works represent a ballet from our first year as a professional company to a new work made for the occasion of the gala. The pieces also present repertoire that is both classical and contemporary, as well as works of an international scope and works created for us uniquely.’
The pieces that will be performed are:
Beginnings by Goh Choo San
The first ballet ever performed by SDT when it was established in 1988, Beginnings was originally created for Joffrey Ballet dancers to the music of Sir Lennox Berkley. It was designed as an intimate quartet exploring the relationship of two couples.
Serenade by George Balanchine
Serenade is a milestone to Balanchine, so as it is in the dance history. It was the first ballet George Balanchine choreographed in America. Serenade has come to be considered as the signature piece of the New York City Ballet and is one of Balanchine’s most widely performed works.
ZIN! by Nils Christe
Featuring a cast of seven dancers, ZIN! by Nils Christe is an upbeat and lively piece that is bubbling with humour. Danced to the music of Serra Pelada from the album Powaqqatsi by Philip Glass, the dance explores the use of canon and repetition. Both quirky and playful, ZIN! was a huge hit at the company premiere during last year’s Ballet Under the Stars. This piece will most definitely amuse and entertain, teasing smiles and laughter from the audience. ZIN! was created for Introdans and was first performed in 1997.
Sleeping Beauty Pas De Deux
In the culmination of the last act of the ballet, the Sleeping Beauty Pas De Deux celebrates the wedding of Princess Aurora and Prince Florimund. Once they are wed, they are crowned King and Queen of the kingdom.
Gala Premiere by Edwaard Liang (World Premiere)
The world premiere of a newly commissioned work by award-winning Asian-American choreographer, Edwaard Liang, This piece will be performed by the entire Company, featuring a cast of 37 dancers. Winner of the Prince Prize Grant for Choreography and the Choo San Goh Award for Choreography, Edwaard Liang’s pieces have been performed all around the world by companies such as New York City Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Shanghai Ballet and most recently the Joffrey Ballet.
Fives by Goh Choo San
Energetic and vibrant, the piece is danced to music by Ernst Bloch and shows off many of Goh Choo San’s trademarks: a brilliant management of ensemble patterns and space; line and unexpected gestures. Fives is a ballet that meshes the classical with the contemporary.
The Gala will also include international artists from The Australian Ballet and the Queensland Ballet, joining in the celebration and performing exquisite works. From Australian Ballet, Lana Jones and her partner Daniel Gaudiello will be doing Don Quixote Pas De Deux. From Queensland Ballet, Clare Morehen and Hao Bin from the Queensland Ballet will be doing Ben Stevenson’s La Esmeralda Pas De Deux.
We had a chance to get some input from Janek Schergen on his 25 years with the Singapore Dance Theatre…
What have been SDT’s greatest challenges and achievements over the past 25 Years?
For me, it’s been finding the identity of the SDT and bringing the company up to an international standard.
We were invited to perform at the 10th Anniversary of the Esplanade last year. We were given the recognition as Singapore’s National Ballet Company – that is an achievement. Also, we have built up a great repertoire: Swan Lake, Giselle, Sleeping Beauty, Romeo & Juliet, Coppelia and The Nutcracker. Peter & Blue’s Forest Adventure and Peter & Blue Go Around the World for children. There is also our contemporary dance repertoire under Masterpiece in Motion. The SDT can showcase its versatility as a company with the above.
Is the SDT a ‘global’ dance company?
We have a more international reputation now and we travel abroad to perform. Since we started we have performed in Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Hong Kong, China, Australia, France, the United States, London, Mexico and Korea. Our repertoire has increased and we are allowed to perform works by Balanchine. All these indicate that the company has reached a certain international standard. I have been invited to be a judge at international competitions. Also, in January this year, I was invited to a rural retreat for International Artistic leaders / directors in Ipswich, UK, by Dance East. I rubbed shoulders with 27 other Artistic Leaders from around world.
This shows that the SDT is on the international radar. Also, Singapore has grown into a regional arts hub and there is interest in what’s going here, at venues like the Esplanade.
Has there been a significant change here in the appreciation of ballet over the past 25 years?
I taught the company its first ballet. I scoped everything from scratch and made it possible for Singapore audiences to see a ballet of international standard done locally. This has helped in developing the appreciation of ballet by the local audience. Furthermore, there has been much exposure of audiences here to international ballet troupes and travel to cities like London and New York to see world-class performances, so the appreciation of ballet has grown.
Also, we have put in place several outreach programs: there is the Annual Passages Choreographic Workshop as well as the monthly One @ The Ballet open in-studio dance presentation. We also initiated the Ballet Associates Course in 2009 and added the pre-professional Scholar’s Programme in 2011 as part of the company’s Educational and Outreach efforts. This helps to grow the awareness and appreciation of ballet.
What is your wish list for the SDT for the next 25 years?
- For the SDT to build up so much awareness and support that we have a huge core of loyal supporters who look forward to our productions.
- That we have many more opportunities to take our company abroad, as well as regular joint performances with other global dance companies.
- That we will have far more professional dancers, especially from Singapore, who will make their careers with the SDT.
- That all our funding issues will be resolved with more grants, sponsorship and endowments so that we can be independent and focus on dancing!
All the best for the 25th Anniversary Gala Performance!
Thank you. Since SDT was formed, I have seen the full development of the company from the two founders’ first ambitions to the strength of the professional company we have today. Every person who’s contributed to that overall 25 years deserves to be remembered for that.
The Singapore Dance Theatre’s 25th Anniversary Gala Performance will take place on 31 May & 1 June 2013 at the Esplanade Theatre. For tickets, please visit www.sistic.com.sg or www.singaporedancetheatre.com.sg