Centenary insight: our future

Sun Mar 22 2026 at 10:00 am to 05:00 pm UTC+00:00

The Royal Ballet School (Upper School) | London

The Royal Ballet School
Publisher/HostThe Royal Ballet School
Centenary insight: our future
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A insight event held at Upper School in Covent Garden which will explore the future of dance education and ballet.
About this Event

Foundational and future aspirations: considering the ongoing impact of the regenerative creative ethos embedded in The Royal Ballet School


8 March 2026

🕑: 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Coffee and register
🕑: 10:30 AM - 10:45 AM
Welcome and introduction
Host: Iain Mackay, Artistic Director
🕑: 10:45 AM - 11:30 AM
De Valois’ legacy: conviction, creativity, continuity and change
Host: Dr Anna Meadmore, Manager of Special Collections

Info: Dr Anna Meadmore considers the enduring strengths and possible fault lines in Ninette de Valois’ founding vision for her School – in relation to the teaching of choreography as a composite theatrical form, fostering versatility, and creating a modern ballet repertoire.


🕑: 11:30 AM - 01:00 PM
Introduction to the Ninette de Valois Choreographic Programme
Host: Iain Mackay, Artistic Director

Info: Iain Mackay, former graduate of the School, Principal of Birmingham Royal Ballet, and our Artistic Director since 2024, introduces and discusses the School’s unique Ninette de Valois Choreographic Programme. Illustrated by practical student demonstrations and performances of their own work.


🕑: 01:00 PM - 02:15 PM
Lunch
🕑: 02:15 PM - 03:25 PM
A personal reflection featuring 'Excerpts from 'Sycorax's Tempest''
Host: Dr Adesola Akinleye, guest choreographer

Info: Dr Adesola Akinleye, dance artist, choreographer, and the editor of the seminal volume (Re:) Claiming Ballet (2021), presents a performance of Excerpts from ‘Sycorax’s Tempest’, a duet, trio and quartet especially created for Upper School students. She considers how the physical language of ballet can be experienced as a creative act of translation between diverse legacies, histories and cultures.


🕑: 03:30 PM - 04:25 PM
Panel discussion: the future relevance of ballet to theatre and wider culture
Host: Sarah Crompton, guest speaker

Info: Sarah Crompton, the dance and theatre critic, journalist and writer, hosts a panel including School staff, alumni, and current members of The Royal Ballet. The discussion will range across the century-long arc of the three days of insight events, but focuses on the future relevance of ballet to theatre and wider culture.


🕑: 04:25 PM - 04:30 PM
Closing remarks and thanks
Host: Iain Mackay, Artistic Director
🕑: 04:30 PM - 06:00 PM
Drinks reception
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays

The Royal Ballet School (Upper School), 46 Floral Street, London, United Kingdom

Tickets

GBP 0.00 to GBP 60.00

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