SDT 2021 | DANCE FROM WITHIN
Message from Janek Schergen
2020 is a year that we will leave behind us with many stories and a great deal of reflection. I am a great believer in moving forward so we proceed into 2021 for our 33rd season with a great deal of hope and anticipation. The many developments that have taken place, since the establishment of SDT, are significant and are what make up our very memorable history. The identity of SDT has always been to keep one aspect of the repertoire in our heritage, with the tradition of classical ballet, and to match it, equally, with venturing forward into the world of neoclassical and contemporary choreography to balance our performances onstage.
Coppélia will begin our performance season in March at the Esplanade. This ballet has become one of the favourites of our repertoire. Coppélia is a sunny, happy story and was first presented by Singapore Dance Theatre in 1996 as one of the first full-length classical ballets for our audiences to enjoy. It is always a pleasure to reintroduce it to our audiences like a cherished friend.
For some time now, we have wanted to add to our children’s ballet series, Peter and Blue, so this year we will do a new production called Peter and Blue’s School Holiday. The second half of the year brings back our ever-changing repertoire, both classical and neoclassical. Ballet Under the Stars returns in July at Fort Canning Park with two weekends of contrasting repertoires. Our Masterpiece in Motion series follows in August, celebrating our 33nd anniversary and featuring a new world premiere ballet by Tim Rushton, the company premiere of Ibsen’s House from Val Caniparoli, plus Organ Concerto, originally created for SDT by Nils Christe. Passages Contemporary Season, always our strongest new repertory season, becomes a “Festival of New Works” with completely new ballets from Natalie Weir, Timothy Harbour, Ezekiel Oliveri and Loughlan Prior. Our 2021 season will conclude at the Esplanade Theatre, with The Nutcracker, the most memorable ballet for both children and parents alike.
One of the most important elements of our mission has always been the development of new choreography, and to remain true to that, we have premiered 31 world premieres and 20 company premieres in the last several years. This season will add many world ballets, company premieres, as well as jewels from our permanent repertoire by internationally respected choreographers. The company was conceived to give our audiences memorable experiences and it continues, till this day, as our core mission. The brilliance and beauty of dance, as an art form, is there, timelessly, to share with our audiences and create anticipation for what is ahead.