There are currently female dancers in the company. As full-time dancers with SDT, all artists have to attend daily classes in the morning, followed by rehearsals for upcoming shows in the afternoons. This ritual happens six days a week, and it is what keeps the dancers supple and prepared to face the challenges of tackling both the classical and contemporary works within SDT's range of repertoire.

Jeffrey Tan, who was appointed as Resident Choreographer of SDT in 2005, has produced a to-date tally of works for the company, including, “Tribal Rhythm”, “Trio”, “Duet”, “Façade”, “Elan”, “Memoire”, “The Little Mermaid”, “The Nutcracker”, “Last Watch”, “F.U.S.E.”, “Negro Y Blanco”, and “Breath Of Love”.

What began in 1995 as a groundbreaking and bold attempt to bring ballet to the masses – Ballet Under The Stars (BUTS) – has today become one of the most popular outdoor shows in Singapore 's busy calendar of arts activities. This year, the th edition of BUTS will feature significant pieces within SDT's 20-year repertoire of both classical and contemporary works. Visit the SDT website to vote for your favourite dance and play a part in programming this very special event.

 

Since 1988, SDT has been involved in a total of special showcases at the Singapore Festival of Arts (now known as Singapore Arts Festival) and the Singapore Festival of Dance. In 2008, SDT will present Continuum , a contemporary triple bill of works by David Dawson, Jorma Elo, and Graham Lustig, as part of this year's Artsfest.

 

The Choo-San Goh Choreographic Awards will be entering the th year in 2008, and over this period of time, 85 works have received support amounting to an overall total of more the US$725,000. Truly, this ongoing benefit to the world of dance is a testament of the legacy of Goh Choo San, one of Singapore 's most famous and prolific exports in the field of arts.

  It has been long years since SDT first staged Company Founder and Co-Artistic Director, Anthony Then's version of “The Nutcracker” in 1992. In December this year, Jeffrey Tan's revised update of the full-length crowd-and-child-pleaser will grace the stage to set the mood for Christmas. Don't miss it!

As a company that proudly flies the Singapore flag when it tours overseas, SDT has visited over 20 cities in a series of tours. These touring stops include Shanghai , Melbourne , Mexico , London , Manila , Houston , Jakarta , and Kuala Lumpur .

The th Century was the Golden Age of Ballet, with many of the most-loved classical works being produced during that era. Of these, SDT will be performing “Giselle”, “The Nutcracker”, and “Cinderella” in March and December 2008, and March 2009 respectively.

A total of ghostly creatures called “wilis” will appear in “Giselle In The Park”. “Wilis” are vengeful spirits of women whose hearts have been broken by their lovers before the day of matrimony. A turning point for the ballet is reached when Giselle, the lead character, decides to save the life of the man who caused her death instead of exacting revenge, thereby highlighting the romantic theme of ‘love beyond the grave'.

While life is full of changes and people come and go as a norm in any company, some of SDT's dancers have stayed long enough to deserve a special mention as a long-serving member of the company. Of these, Mohamed Noor Sarman, the Assistant Ballet Master and Senior Artiste with SDT, has reached his th year mark, Jeffrey Tan has hit 17 years, and Xia Haiying, who joined SDT as an apprentice in 1993, has clocked 15 years with the company.

Giselle In The Park will be performed by Singapore Dance Theatre from 27 to 30 March 2008, 7.30pm, at Fort Canning Park . Tickets are priced $26 (free entrance for children under 6 years-old), and are available from SISTIC .

 

- This article first appeared in Affluent Magazine.