The Australian Ballet’s Telstra Let’s Dance program is under way for 2026, offering hundreds of young dancers in regional communities the opportunity to learn from the company’s artistic team and experience life behind the scenes.
Now in its third year, the program will reach seven locations across New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and the Northern Territory: Albury, Ballarat, Horsham, Mildura, Adelaide, Darwin and Alice Springs. The Northern Territory has been included for the first time.
Participating students will take part in studio workshops led by members of The Australian Ballet’s artistic team, observe company rehearsals and attend a performance presented as part of the company’s regional On Tour program. Each dancer will also receive a pack of dancewear and equipment.
The outreach activities coincide with The Australian Ballet’s 2026 tour of The Nutcracker Act II, which travels through regional Australia from July to August.
Artistic Director David Hallberg said the program was designed to ensure a young person’s location did not limit their access to ballet.
“Every child should have the opportunity to experience the wonder of ballet, regardless of where they live,” Hallberg said.
“Through Telstra Let’s Dance, we’re able to bring young people in regional communities behind the scenes, into the studio and into the theatre, offering experiences that can spark creativity, confidence and a lifelong connection to the arts.”
Following visits to Albury and Ballarat, the program continues through Horsham and Mildura before travelling to Adelaide in early August. Workshops will then be held at two schools in Darwin and two in Alice Springs.
Participating studios include Avenue Dance Studio in Horsham, Ebz Dance in Mildura, Star Academy and Turning Point Dance in Adelaide, Darwin School of Ballet, Leisa’s School of Dance, The Australian Dance Academy and Studio B School of Dance.
Telstra Head of Marketing Communications, Brand and Sponsorship Alita McMenamin said the initiative sought to give young people outside metropolitan centres access to experiences that have traditionally been concentrated in major cities.
“Telstra and The Australian Ballet are equally passionate about the need to support creativity among young Australians and provide unique opportunities just for kids in country areas,” she said.
The program forms part of the four-decade partnership between Telstra and The Australian Ballet. Since Let’s Dance began in 2024, it has focused on reducing barriers of cost and distance while introducing regional students to professional artists, rehearsals and performance environments.
The final 2026 workshops will be held in Alice Springs on August 20 and 21.