The Queensland Ballet troupe are in the middle of touring regional Queensland.

 Between performances in Hughenden and Mount Isa this week they stopped in the Curry for an hour workshop, although arrived half an hour later than expected traveling from Julia Creek. 

The Queensland Ballet had split in two during their tour. 17 performers focused their tour in the south while the other 17 were in the north. The Cloncurry workshop was led by dancer Martha Godber, who ran the young pupils through some basic techniques. 

Queensland Ballet company manager Craig Cathcart said the troupe performed in Hughenden the night before the workshop. 

“Hughenden was fantastic. We heard reports it’s the most people they have had in the Diggers’ Entertainment Centre,” Mr Cathcart said. 

The stage was a “challenging space” for the dancers accustomed to the city stage but were able to work with it, ensuring the central Queensland community were able to see a “world class performance”. 

They next stopped in Cloncurry. “These workshops are part of our engagement commitment which helps local communities be involved with Queensland Ballet, and they get to have an expert take them through their dances moves,” Mr Cathcart said. “It gives them up and close personal experience with dancers. 

“It’s the first time we’ve been here, the first time in a long time. It’s very important, it gives children in regional communities the opportunity to experience what it is like in an international ballet company.” 

Some of the dancers had regional roots themselves. One of them grew up in Mackay, and two others were based in Rockhampton. 

“The cream of the crop is from anywhere, which is why it’s important to engage with small communities to give them the opportunity to experience what it is like.”