News

Melbourne Dance Theatre

Dear Parents & Students

Each year MDT & SDC holds assessments, hosts examinations and of course our major End of Year Production. Those who have been with us over the past years can appreciate that our Productions are very successful and are treated on a highly professional level. All students enrolled in MDT & SDC are automatically included in the End of Year Production. Should you not wish for your child to be involved in the performance please advise Michelle or Martin Sierra as soon as possible as we start with cast listing & costume/rehearsal organising mid Term 2 each year. The cast list is normally on the board at the end of Term 2 or beginning of Term 3.

In order to continue achieving our high performing standards, we believe rehearsal time is very important and the best results are achieved from the students when rehearsing separately to class time. This enables students to continue working on their technique for exams & the stage. Rehearsals take place on Saturday afternoons and students are called each week between 2.30pm – 5.30pm (6.00pm in special cases) according to the rehearsals required throughout terms 3 & 4. We ask that the students attend all rehearsals possible, especially the initial ones commencing first Saturday back of Term 3. This ensures an easy & enjoyable learning process for all involved. Kinder Dance, Pre-Primary, Primary, and students only involved in Sub Junior Jazz & Tap, Sub/Junior Music Theatre, Junior Character & Junior Contemporary (students not doing ballet) are called only in Term 4 and in most cases between 2.30pm – 3.45pm (with the exception of full run throughs of ballets). Kinder Dance, Pre-Primary & Primary Ballet students will only be performing in the Matinee performance in the first half of the program & may be collected at interval to watch the rest of the show. Sub-Junior Jazz, Tap, Junior Character, Junior Contemporary & Sub-Junior students from Junior Musical Theatre may perform in both matinee & evening shows if they wish. Please inform either Michelle or Martin if you would like to perform in both shows by the end of Term 3, otherwise it will be assumed they will only be performing in the matinee show.

This extra time is not covered within the normal fee structure and therefore is an additional cost together with assessment, exam & costumes fees. Costumes are normally hired through the school either internally or externally and prices vary according to place of hire and type of costume. By this we try to eliminate as much sewing as possible for parents thus making the whole rehearsal/production process as smooth and stress free as possible. In some cases we may need help from volunteers for stitching of tutu’s sewing of braid etc. If any parents are available to help with any basic sewing please contact Michelle Sierra on 1300 326 234 or at the school. We always greatly appreciate any help offered.

Please find to follow a detailed list of MDT & SDC Internal Assessment, External Exam, Costume & Production Fees for your information. **All listed fees are inclusive of GST and are subject to change as required by our External Examiners and any new costume costs applicable**. The production fee has already been invoiced with your term 3 accounts. Where applicable Internal Assessment & External Exam fees in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Technical Ballet, Character & Contemporary Dance will be invoiced in term 4 together with costume fees. Please continue to check your pigeon holes regularly & especially the notice board for exam dates & times. Casting & rehearsal schedules will be posted last week Term 2 or beginning of Term 3. Should you have any queries please don’t hesitate to contact Michelle Sierra on 1300 326 234.Wishing you all an enjoyable year & continued success at Sierra Dance Centrepointe & Melbourne Dance Theatre.

With warm regards

Michelle Sierra
School Principal

Running alongside the company is the Melbourne Dance Theatre Full-Time Course, a registered training organization, training talented dancers for a career in the dance industry. The Full Time Course combines the best dance training with invaluable stage experience, rehearsing and performing with the Melbourne Dance Theatre company. 

This year, MDT is incorporating the Sierra Dance Centrepointe to open its doors to talented children and young dancers wanting to become professional dancers. 

Fueled by the wealth of experience and resource of international contacts invested, the company and schools Directors, Melbourne Dance Theatre is working towards a performance schedule that extends to regional Victoria, interstate and overseas.