When ballet dancer Emma Cheeseman performs in Bendigo, it will be the first time she has danced professionally in her hometown.
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The Bendigo dancer will perform in the Melbourne City Ballet’s production of Romeo and Juliet at Crusoe College’s JB Osbourne Theatre on August 26.
“It’s really cool that we can bring this show to Bendigo,” she said.
“Last year we toured a ballet version Carmen, which I really enjoyed. I got to do a solo and that was a big goal of mine.”
After taking up dancing at age five, Cheeseman went to school at Golden Square Secondary where she focused on her talents.
“I did some singing and drama stuff but it was always dancing,” she said.
“After school I did a full time course and got my diploma of dance before moving to Brisbane for a professional year up there.
“When I saw the Melbourne City Ballet had auditions, my partner and I moved to Melbourne for the auditions.”
Cheeseman has also started her own dance business in Melbourne.
“I am teaching masterclasses monthly for kids and have regular private students that train with me each week,” she said.
The ballet company will perform its production of Romeo and Juliet in the college’s JB Osbourne Theatre on August 26.
As the story unfolds, audiences will see exquisite choreography performed by a full cast of talented artists, divine costumes and scenery reiterating Shakespeare’s traditional tale, in the 21st century.
Melbourne City Ballet will also return in the September school holidays for a performance of Peter Pan-based show Tink.
Crusoe College school council member Trevor Cox said it was exciting to be able to bring a dance company like Melbourne City Ballet to Bendigo.
“The cost (to perform in) Ulumbarra or The Capital for a not-for-profit organisation is a bit beyond them,” he said.
“So we are looking at building an association with (Melbourne City Ballet) and hoping to establish JB Osbourne Theatre as their home in Bendigo.”
The company’s shows are part of its national tour.
“They were about to embark on an Australia-wide tour and were interested in Bendigo,” he said.
For more visit www.melbournecityballet.com.au