Tickets are now on sale for the Alana Haines Australasian Awards (AHA), the biennial event showcasing Australasia's finest young dancers. Held this Easter in Wellington, New Zealand, April 17th-21st, at the St James Theatre, approximately 355 dancers aged 11 to 18 will compete throughout the week. Thirty-three finalists (11 from each of the three age groups) will then be selected to perform in the highly anticipated Grand Finals.
Established in memory of young dancer Alana Haines, the AHA Awards offer invaluable opportunities and support to emerging artists. Since 1991, they have grown into a significant event in the Australasian dance community, providing financial assistance and career development opportunities. This year, the awards total $160,000, encompassing cash prizes and elite international scholarships.
The culmination of the week will be the Grand Finals on Easter Monday, where the 33 finalists will showcase their talent. The event will be hosted by Turid Revfeim, Artistic Director & Producer of BalletCollective Aotearoa. Adding to the excitement, the finals will feature special guest performances, including one by Alfie Shacklock, the 2023 AHA Gailene Stock winner, Royal Ballet School graduate, and now an artist with the Queensland Ballet.
The finalists will be adjudicated by an internationally respected panel: Stéphane Léonard, Director of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School and former soloist of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet; Loughlan Prior, international award-winning choreographer and filmmaker, and Choreographer in Residence and former Soloist of the Royal New Zealand Ballet; and Megan Connelly, Artistic Director of The Australian Ballet School.
Secure your tickets for all sections and the finals now through Ticketmaster: here.
Further information about the Alana Haines Australasian Awards can be found here.