Duprada Dance Company

 Nervous energy begins very early in the day - we all arrive as early as possible with a quick meeting.  After a short discussion we all get to work - ironing is a biggest thing, 6 or 7 people will iron for most of the day.  We are teaching everyone that 100% is the minimum effort for performers so we do set the standard backstage making sure every part of the performance as expected. Back stage is super organised, checked and re checked.  Principals will be onstage at 1.00pm for class then rehearsals.  Our principals get their hair and make-up done eating an early dinner so when our youngest dancers arrive the focus is on them.  Hair, make-up, rehearsal and into costume ready to start.   Programme sellers are ready 30 minutes before everyone else so they can greet everyone who is arriving for the performance,  House music is at the ready providing an exciting atmosphere for the beginning of the show. Before we know it - the house curtain wil...

Sleeping Beauty is one of those famous ballets that gets bigger and bigger with every production meeting and every rehearsal.  The brilliance of the ballet expands everywhere, Tchaikovsky's music is explosive and powerful in every scene giving the dancers what they love, perfect music for the choreography which has stood the test of time.  The Lilac Fairy has the most beautiful musical arrangement of trust and wisdom while the music for the wicked fairy, Carabosse is boundless and dramatic, perfect for casting her spell. Our young dancers watch as the story unfolds mesmerised by the more accomplished dancers and can't wait to be on stage for their part in the story.  The magic of dance is everywhere, backstage is just as exciting as being onstage.   Rehearsals are planned to build confidence and enhance the whole experience for our dancers.  They begin by learning their own choreography in a closed studio, then the most exciting class! trying on their co...

  Tiffanie Hughes and Billy Laherty will be on stage in Darwin tonight in the very funny, much loved ballet 'Copéllia'  Tiffanie and Billy will perform the Principal Roles of Swanilda and Franz.   Leisa's School of Dancing has had a long association with Duprada Dance Company which has a residence in both Darwin and Alice Springs.  The dancers from Darwin performed in Alice Springs for the 40th Anniversary Gala in April and each year Alice Springs Principal Dancers travel to Darwin to help with the production and perform the principal roles.  Sunday they will supervise the packing of costumes to be returned to Alice Springs.  Billy and Tiffanie will fly back to Alice Springs on Sunday and recommence their roles for Sleeping Beauty which will be on stage at the Araluen Arts Centre on 22nd 23rd November, 2024 at 6.30pm.   The Northern Territory can take pride in such dedicated young people who go to the ends of the earth to make things happen a...

  B eing on stage is an absolute privilege for any performer and having The Araluen Arts Centre in the centre of Australia as our second home is the one of the reasons Duprada Dance Company has been able to develop over the last 40 years with a certain je ne sais quoi. Duprada Dance Company, formerly known as 'The Alice Springs Ballet Company' began in 1984 with the very first performance being held in the then, brand new Araluen Theatre.  The first ever performance being staged on 19th & 20th April, 1984, an evening of classical ballet.  The dancers experienced the energy and excitement of two full houses.  The people of the Alice Springs Community who had worked hard raising money build the Araluen Arts Centre were excited to see the building open.  They applauded as a beautifully produced performance of classical ballet took to the stage dancing on a very special tarquet dance floor imported from overseas. Our 40th Anniversary Gala was danced on that ver...