En Pointe Patrons launch

In 2020, the Ballet Foundation launched the En Pointe Patrons in Auckland.

A dedicated group of ballet supporters have banded together in Auckland, to simultaneously help grow the Ballet Foundations investment fund and support projects at the Royal New Zealand Ballet. 

RNZB Artist Madeleine Graham meets with students following the Relaxed Performance at the Vodafone Event Centre, Manukau.

The En Pointe Patrons each contribute $2,000 annually – half of this goes to the Ballet Foundation for investment, and half goes to projects at the RNZB that otherwise may not take place.

The En Pointe Patrons met in February 2020 at the home of Ballet Foundation Trustee Sarah Cole, and her husband Nick, to select the projects they would like to support.

$15,000 – for a new commission by RNZB Choreographer in Residence Loughlan Prior, Ultra Violet
$6,000 – for dance workshops at the Auckland Region Women’s Corrections Facility
$7,000 – for ballet workshops and ‘Relaxed Performances’ at Vodafone Event Centre, Manukau
$10,000 – for a new commission by RNZB Choreographer in Residence Sarah Foster-Sproull for the Wanaka Festival of Colour, The Autumn Ball

RNZB Artist Madeleine Graham meets with students following the Relaxed Performance at the Vodafone Event Centre, Manukau.

Covid-19 had a significant effect on the delivery of the projects supported by the En Pointe Patrons in 2020. The night before Loughlan and RNZB dancers were preparing to travel to London to present Ultra Violet, the lockdown restrictions began to be put in place causing the end of this tour.

However, the company has proven its resilience and two of the other projects have now been delivered. Ultra Violet and The Autumn Ball are set to premiere together at the Wanaka Festival of Colour in April 2021.

Executive Director Lester McGrath speaks to En Pointe Patrons at the programme launch in Auckland. Photo by Bryna O’Brien-Kiddey.