Festivals and competition page

Roodepoort Dance Festival

The Roodepoort Dance Festival is an annual event that is held at the Roodepoort Theatre along Christian de Wet Road in Florida Park.

Numerous dance schools from all over the Westrand participate and compete against one another during this event. Various dance forms are performed during with the first few days showcasing Lyrical Acro, Ballet and Spanish dance and the second half of the festival showcasing modern, tap and hip hop.

The estimated dates for the festival this year are the beginning of September to mid September with the “Prestige Evening” planned to take place on the last day of competitions.

Please note that your daughter will not have to perform every afternoon or evening.

Her group will be designated a performance time, either afternoon or evening on a specific date that will be confirmed closer to the time when the programme has been arranged. In the event of your daughter’s group being nominated as a “prestige evening qualifier”, the group participants may have to perform on the afternoon and/or evening of the 16th but this is only on condition that they are awarded a first prize for their first performance. I will be sure to inform you should your daughters group be nominated for this section.

All the girls from school grade 0 upwards are invited to participate in a group item per subject they participate in which will be choreographed and rehearsed during class times during the week. Some grades may be joined together to make bigger groups so the timetable may change slightly.


Tiny Tots – will continue with normal classes. Regrettably as they are so young and their technique still requires practice, it is unfair to put unnecessary pressure on them for competition stage work.


Some pupils who show particular talent might be asked to participate in an additional festival item (e.g. a solo, duet, trio or quartet) and this request will be sent in a separate e-mail to those parties selected. It will be at the parent’s discretion for your daughter to participate in any of these additional items, although I would like to emphasise that non-participation in a group item, in favour of a solo, duet etc. is not permitted.

Festival rules stipulate that any child participating in an “additional item”, such as a solo, duet etc., must participate in a group. I am sure we can all understand the reasons for this as once again “team work” is the main aim of this event and participants should not be allowed to think that they are “above” group participation.

The selection of soloists is at the teacher’s discretion and is a decision made carefully with much thought given to the child’s maturity, confidence, performance, and technical ability! Please do not be disappointed if your daughter is not chosen for a solo item – the main purpose of participating in these types of events is to encourage a love of dance, the skills required to work within a group and ultimately the excitement of live stage performance.

I would also urge those parents and pupils whose children have been selected to do additional items to please not “advertise” their selection and to accept the opportunity to participate in additional items with grace. Any soloist found to be boasting about their selection will have their dances cancelled immediately.

Prior to the performance, stage rehearsals at the theatre will be required.

Stage rehearsals are scheduled to start from the 18th of August until the 2nd of September and I will confirm exact dates with you closer to the time.

Due to a tight schedule, stage rehearsal times may vary and thus it may be necessary for girls to leave school early to attend these rehearsals.

Stage rehearsals cannot be missed and it will be the responsibility of the parents to ensure that your daughters attend. The studio will be responsible for transporting the girls to the theatre for rehearsals or performances!

We appreciate that events like this can become costly and thus require careful budgeting. We will thus do our best to allow for payments to be divided up over the next 3 months. Entry fees, however, are due by the 1st of August please as entries go in before the end of July.

Please note that in addition to the costs involved it is crucial that all pupils planning on participating in this event are aware of the commitment involved.
Pupils who do not attend at least 80% of their lessons and are frequently absent will not be permitted to participate. I would also urge parents to please reconsider participation if you plan of being away during any of the dates outlined as having pupils absent towards the end of August when there are possible stage rehearsals and during festival is not an option.

I trust that I have managed to give you as much of an outline to the festival process as is possible and I will be sending a more detailed letter closer to the time. Please make sure you keep this notice for future reference and do not hesitate to contact me should you have any queries.

This event is the highlight of the girls dancing year and I hope that we can make it as enjoyable for them as possible!

Yours in Dance,
Haleigh van Rooyen