Joburg Ballet & Feet on Fire collaborate with Brown Ballerinas Global to promote inclusive ballet

702's Gugs Mhlungu spoke to founder of Brown Ballerinas Global, Paula Brown.

Listen to their conversation in the audio clip below.

Exciting news – Joburg Ballet is teaming up with Carl-Lee from Feet on Fire in Gqeberha and Brown Ballerinas Global (BBG) to make ballet more inclusive and diverse. 

"The programme was developed during our world pandemic. During that time, I really had the opportunity to capitalise on the fact that classical ballet wasn't being extended to the level that I thought it should have been, meaning involving more black and brown dancers to the exclusivity of classical ballet and that's where the start of Brown Ballerinas developed." 

- Paula Brown, founder of Brown Ballerinas Global

This partnership offers young dancers from all backgrounds in Johannesburg and Gqeberha the chance to train with top professionals.

They’re even selecting 10 standout dancers to join the BBG USA Summer Programme, which means some serious global ballet exposure!

BBG, founded by Paula Brown, is all about creating chances for dancers of colour. 

Mark your calendars for the two-week summer programme running from 31 March to 12 April 2025! 

It’ll kick off in Johannesburg (31 March – 4 April) and then move to Gqeberha (7 – 12 April). 

"It's a classical ballet programme...but it's a pre-professional level. It's a one-week intensive, the word intensive is strongly used because the dancers meet from 8am until 6pm, Monday to Friday."

- Paula Brown, founder of Brown Ballerinas Global

What to expect? Classes in classical ballet, contemporary dance, pointe work, and even jazz! 

It’s open to kids aged 6 and up, no matter what their ballet experience is. 

There’ll be daily classes, masterclasses, and talks about career development. 

Click here to book your spot.

"The vision is to have a long-standing relationship with these dancers, with the cultural exchange, and then in the next couple of years I will put together a touring, performing company and that's what we're working towards." 

- Paula Brown, founder of Brown Ballerinas Global

Scroll up to listen to the full conversation