2025 Ballet Production

Hansel & Gretel

The 2025 RAD Ballet Stream will present a narrated ballet production of Hansel and Gretel. The story will explore the theme of being careful what you wish for, as appearances can be deceiving. Set in a technicolour forest, the narrative will unfold as order is lost and then restored, with disorder bringing fear, loss, and longing, while restoration allows for reconnection and renewal.

Each RAD Ballet grade will have its own ensemble role, and this year, we will be holding auditions for lead positions in Week 9. See below for audition information and details. Casting for all ensembles and leads will be released at the end of Week 11.

All RAD Ballet students and Junior Open Ballet will participate in this exciting production and also perform modified segments in the 2025 Dance Showcase.

The Story

Deep in the heart of the dark, enchanted forest, a spell has been cast.

In the darkest of times, two children, abandoned and lost, travel through a haunted forest, held captive by a wicked witch. They follow a mysterious white bird to a magical cottage overflowing with sugary delights—but all is not as it seems.

A tale of danger, bravery, and love, leading to a truly magical and unforgettable ballet experience for all ages.

A world so beautiful, it must be good... or is it?

Dates

Rehearsals for All Cast

Ensemble dances will be learnt in class time. Some students will be required for additional rehearsals on the below dates.

Please see below additional rehearsals required for specific Principal cast members and classes from Week 3 to Week 6, Term 3.

Production Week (Week 6 - 25 to 30 August)

Please note the below rehearsal and show times.

All students are required for the below rehearsals and show dates and specific schedules will be communicated.
Wednesday 27 August, 3.00pm to 6.00pm - Dress Rehearsal
Thursday 28 August, 3.00pm to 6.00pm - Dress Rehearsal
Friday 29 August, 2.45pm to 5.45pm - Preview

Co-curricular Ballet Classes will not be going ahead in Week 6 to accommodate the demands of the Ballet Production.

* Rehearsal dates and times are subject to change based on production needs and casting of roles. Extra rehearsals will be notified as we move forward into Term 3.

Performances

Saturday 30 August. Students will be required to arrive by 10.00am and can be collected by parents after 3.15pm.
Show 1: 11.00am
Show 2: 2.00pm

Students will be provided lunch between shows. Please contact the Dance department if your daughter has any dietary requirements.

Ballet Production Costs

Costume: approx. $100.00 to $150.00

Tights, undergarments, shoes and some other additional items are not included. Any additional items required will be communicated later this term.

Production Fee: $50.00 per student.

This fee includes videography, photography, production technical elements, Lunch in between shows.

Hair, Makeup and Costumes

Hair

Kindergarten to Year 1 students must wear their hair in high space buns positioned above their ears (no hair donuts).
For guidance, you can follow this Space Bun Tutorial

Year 2 to 12 students must wear their hair in a low bun with a clean middle part (no hair donuts). Hair must be sleek and smooth, with no bumps or flyaways. For guidance, you can follow this Bun Tutorial.

Please use hair gel, hairspray, a hairnet, and the appropriate sized bun pins (not bobby pins) to secure the bun firmly. If your daughter has long or thick hair, ensure the bun pins are long enough to reach the hair tie for proper hold. You can find all the hair accessories from Bloch - Bun Maker Kit

Makeup

All students are required to apply stage makeup to highlight their eyes, cheekbones, and lips. Under strong stage lights, natural facial features can appear washed out - so while stage makeup may look dramatic up close, it helps ensure expressions are visible from the audience.

You can follow this simple makeup tutorial for guidance.

Makeup guidelines:

Eyes: Only brown-toned eyeshadow is to be used - Eye Shadow

Lips: Students must use the exact lip stain shown in the link below (not Lipstick), as it is less messy and ensures all performers are uniform. This product is available at Woolworths or Priceline: Lip Stain colour in "Wicked" (except Hansel, Gretel, Father and Stepmother)

Thank you for helping us keep the students looking polished and uniform on stage!

Costumes

Pre-Primary to Grade 1 Ensembles – $90.00
Grade 2 to Grade 3 Ensembles – $100.00
Grade 4 to Grade 5 Ensembles – $120.00
Vocational Ensembles and All Principals – $150.00

Understudies will only be charged for their ensemble costume. If they are selected to perform in a principal role, they will borrow a principal costume and be charged a hire fee instead of the full cost.

Captain Mice performers will be charged for their ensemble costume and an additional $35 hire fee for the Captain Mice costume, which will remain the property of Pymble Ladies’ College.

Additional Costume items

Pre-Primary - Grade 5
All students must wear clean brand new Ballet tights and leather ballet flats. No rips or stains on tights or shoes.
Please purchase these exact tights from Bloch - Salmon Pink Tights

Vocational Levels
All students must wear clean brand new Ballet tights and Canvas ballet flats or Pointe shoes. No rips or stains on tights or shoes
Please purchase these exact tights from Bloch - Theatrical Pink Tights

Undergarments
For students in Pre-Primary to Grade 5, the costume and ballet tights should be sufficient and no additional undergarments are needed.

If your daughter feels more comfortable wearing undergarments, please note we have a strict policy: If it can be seen, it is not allowed.

Undergarments must:
Be the appropriate skin tone colour as your daughter
Have no prints or patterns
Be completely hidden under the costume

We recommend visiting Bloch, which has a wide range of suitable undergarments designed specifically for dancers.

* Students can use the same clean ballet tights and shoes for both the production and end of year exams. Please keep these items set aside and use older ones for class and rehearsals to keep them in good condition.

Dietary Requirements Form - CLOSED

Rose Order Form - CLOSED

Week 6 Production Week

* No Ballet classes or Private Lessons will be held this week

Student Drop off and Pick Up

Parents are NOT permitted to watch the rehearsals. Students will be dismissed once the rehearsal has concluded.

Parents are NOT permitted in the holding rooms or back stage after students have been signed in. Students will remain backstage or in their holding rooms for the entire rehearsal and performance.

At the conclusion of the rehearsals and performances, parents will be required to sign students out of the pick up locations. We ask all Kindergarten to 6 parents sign out their daughters prior to leaving so all students are accounted for.

Please note that students are required to make their way to the GMCPA to change after School for all rehearsals. Kindergarten to Year 2 students will be collected by Dance Staff from their classrooms. All rehearsals and compulsory and should take priority over other activities.

Kindergarten to Year 2

Wednesday 27 to Friday 29 August - Kindergarten Classrooms

Saturday 30 August - Preparatory Performing Arts Hall

Year 3 to 6

Wednesday 27 August to Saturday 30 August - Hedgehog House

Year 7 to 12

At the conclusion of the show Year 7 to 12 students can sign out and meet parents outside the foyer, at the Flagpole or at the Centenary carpark. No student is to catch public transport home in the evening.

NOTE: Please do not attempt to pick up your child during or between performances.

What to Bring

Production costumes will remain with the Dance Department until after the last performance. Students will take home their costume on Saturday 30 August.

* All uniform items should be clearly labelled.

Rehearsals

Wednesday 27 August, Thursday 28 August and Friday 29 August

All students should bring the below in a separate bag to each rehearsal day.

Afternoon tea and water bottle
Ballet shoes, undergarments and ballet tights
Ballet uniform (Wednesday 27 August only)
Students required to wear neat ballet bun for all rehearsals, no make up required

Performances

Saturday 30 August

Light snacks and water bottle (lunch provided)
Ballet shoes, undergarments and ballet tights
Students must arrive with hair and make up done (refer to hair and make up requirements above)

Students are required to have a BLOCH BODY STOCKING that provides extra privacy for students during costume changes in our larger holding rooms.

BLOCH BODY STOCKING CHILD SIZES

BLOCH BODY STOCKING ADULT SIZES

Snacks

Please do not send your child to the dress rehearsals or Showcase performances with any snacks or drinks that could stain their costume/s. Crackers, energy bars, apples and carrot sticks are good choices. Water is the best drink, please do not send juice boxes or other sticky drinks.

DO NOT pack anything that may contain traces of nuts.

Energy drinks are strictly NOT permitted.

Cast List

Congratulations to all students who auditioned for lead roles in our 2025 Ballet Production! Below you will find the casting list along with role descriptions.

The roles are categorised as follows:

Principal: This role is dedicated to performing only as the principal character.
Supporting Principal: In addition to performing as the principal, this role will also participate in class routines as part of the ensemble.
Minor Principal: This role also performs in class routines as part of the ensemble, in addition to the minor principal duties.
Ensemble: All ballet students performing within their class routines will be part of the ensemble.
Understudies: Each role will have an assigned understudy who is required to attend all rehearsals. Understudies will have the opportunity to perform if a main cast member is unavailable and will also take part in their class routines as part of the ensemble.

Students and parents are encouraged to contact the Dance Department with any queries.
We kindly ask that all communications about student casting be conducted in a respectful and courteous manner.

Hansel and Gretel (Principal)

Brave, smart and courageous siblings. Both working together to overcome many challenges to find their way back home. Lead roles.

Hansel Principal: Stella Pieterse (Intermediate)
Hansel Understudy: Camilla Metcalfe (Intermediate)

Gretel Principal: Millie (Ziqi) Tian (Intermediate)
Gretel Understudy: Saskia Nicholson (Advanced Foundation)

Father (Principal)

Loving but weak man. The father of Hansel and Gretel does not have the resolve to stand up to his step wife when she forces him to cooperate with her plan to leave the children in the forest because there is not enough food for all of them. Supporting lead role.

Principal: Stella Boyle (Advanced One)
Understudy: Leahara Wijesuriya (Advanced Foundation)

Witch (Principal)

Wicked and powerful. She has bewitched the forest and the forest creatures, so they are under her control. She appears to be kind to lure children into her gingerbread cottage, but she really wants to eat them for supper. Supporting lead role.

Principal: Carine Kong (Advanced Two)
Understudy: Stella Xu (Advanced Foundation)

Stepmother (Principal)

Cruel, selfish and hard-headed. She wants to get rid of Hansel and Gretel by abandoning them in the forest so there are less mouths to be fed. Supporting lead role.

Principal: Madeline Taylor (Advanced Two)
Understudy: Annabel Taylor (Advanced One)

Pan and Dora - The Witches Cats (Minor Principals)

Loyal servant of the Witch. Pandora is also the leader of the Black Cat Ensemble. Supporting lead role.

Pan: Sarayah Wijesuriya (Grade 3)
Understudy: Isabel Chang (Grade 3)

Dora: Sophie (Lok Sum) Woo (Grade 3)
Understudy: Isabelle Hu (Grade 3)

Blue Bird Queen (Principal)

Loyal, majestic and beautiful leader of the blue birds whom the witch has entrapped on the gingerbread roof. Supporting lead role.

Principal: Charlotte King (Advanced Foundation)
Understudy: Indigo Meldrum (Advanced Foundation)

Memory Bird Queen (Supporting Principal)

Principal: Emma Scott (Advanced Foundation)
Understudy: Lana Tao (Intermediate)

Forest Spirit (Supporting Principal)

The beating heart of the forest. The Spirit is the true guardian of the tress and animals. The Spirit also protects and guides Hansel and Gretel on their journey through the forest and back home again. Spirit is the leader of the Sprite Ensembles. Supporting lead role.

Supporting Principal: Natasha Woods (Grade 4)
Understudy: Janulya Nandagopan (Grade 5)

Supporting Principal: Harriet (Hai Ting) Cheung (Grade 5)
Understudy: Davina Excell (Grade 4)

Mice Leaders (Minor Principals)

Captain Squeaker (Pink): Kaymi Madugalle Wijeratne (Grade 3)
Understudy: Avril Huang (Grade 4)

Captain Whiskers (White): Tiffany Woods (Grade 3)
Understudy: Jianing Li (Grade 4)

Lollies (Minor Principals)

Lulu Lollipop: Saskia Nicholson
Honey Drop: Eva Pieterse
Rosey Apples: Indigo Meldrum
Lemon Sherbet: Stella Xu
Jelly Tot: Yiling Gu
Fizzy Cola: Lily Xing
Berry Whirl: Rain To
Minty Bon Bon: Leahara Wijesuriya
Chestnut Chew: Annabel Taylor
Apple Taffy: Nuha Hassan
Raspberry Ripple: Macy Sun
Candy Twist: Annabella Bayfield
Minty Bliss: Stella Walsh

Ensembles (Class Routines)

White Mice: Pre-Primary in Dance (Kindergarten)
Pink Mice: Primary in Dance (Year 1)
Foxes: Grade 1 (Year 2)
Mini Forest Sprites: Grade 2 (Year 3) and Junior Open Ballet
Cats: Grade 3 (Year 4)
Blue Birds: Grade 4 (Year 5)
Forest Sprites: Grade 5 (Year 6)
White Birds: Intermediate Foundation
Wood Sprites: Intermediate
Enchanted Lollies: Advanced Foundation and Advanced 1

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