The Australian Ballet School’s 2026 Winter Season brought a dynamic program of classical and contemporary repertoire to Riverside Theatres, Parramatta, showcasing the versatility and professionalism of our senior students.
The program featured Défilé by Lucinda Dunn OAM and Andrew Murphy, Le Bal by Stephen Baynes, Fight or Flight by Lucas Jervies, the debut of Atlas Waiting by Mason Lovegrove, and Concerto Anniversary by Lucas Jervies, offering audiences a diverse range of choreographic styles and performance experiences. From classical ensemble work and storytelling to contemporary movement and demanding partnering, each piece provided valuable opportunities for students to further develop their technical and artistic skills in a professional theatre setting.
A particular highlight of the season was the debut of Atlas Waiting, created by Australian Ballet School alumnus and The Australian Ballet Soloist Mason Lovegrove, marking its first presentation on stage by the School. The work added a distinctive contemporary voice to the program and offered students a rich opportunity to engage with new and evolving repertoire.
In its review of The Australian Ballet School’s Winter Season, Dance Australia observed that students
“...presented themselves with obvious joy, clarity and confidence, carrying the sense of dancers ready to step beyond school and towards the next stage of professional life.”
"Winter Season also offered a clear artistic reason to attend: it showed young dancers at a meaningful point of transition, working with discipline, enjoyment and increasing authority as they prepare to step into the profession."
Read the full Dance Australia review here: Dance Australia Winter Season Review
Touring remains an important part of The Australian Ballet School experience, allowing students to perform for new audiences while gaining insight into the demands of professional performance beyond Melbourne. The Winter Season also highlighted the strong connection between the School and its alumni, with works by Australian Ballet School graduates Lucas Jervies, Stephen Baynes and Mason Lovegrove featured throughout the program.
Performing to enthusiastic audiences across two performances, students embraced the opportunity with confidence, dedication and artistry, making the 2026 Winter Season a memorable and rewarding conclusion to the first half of the year.
