AABC Adult Ballet Competition & Festival 2027

An adult ballet and contemporary dance festival in Melbourne

Train. Perform. Connect. Be recognised.

The AABC Adult Ballet Competition & Festival 2027 is an inspiring weekend of training, repertoire and performance created exclusively for adult ballet and contemporary dancers.

Presented by Adult Ballet Centre Melbourne, the festival will take place in Melbourne’s bayside in August 2027. Adult dancers can compete on stage at the Shirley Burke Theatre, join two Adult Ballet Centre classes at our Cheltenham studios, attend a Friday Repertoire Masterclass with Guest Artists, or combine all three experiences for a complete adult dance festival weekend.

The festival welcomes adult dancers across a range of experience levels, from beginners preparing for their first stage experience through to advanced dancers and those with former vocational or professional training.

Bayside Melbourne, Australia | August 2027

Build the festival experience that suits you

There is no requirement to attend the entire weekend. Choose the experience that best suits your interests, training level and availability, or join us for all three days.

THREE DAYS. ONE COMPLETE ADULT DANCE EXPERIENCE.

AABC unfolds across three carefully designed days, taking dancers from artistic exploration and shared training to the theatre stage.

FRIDAY 13 August: Artistry & Repertoire ‍ ‍Explore classical repertoire through musicality, interpretation and performance-focused coaching.

SATURDAY 14 August: Training, Development & Connection

Training, Development & Connection: Train in professionally structured classes, develop your technique and connect with a community of adult dancers.

SUNDAY 15 August: Theatre, Performance & Recognition

Step into the theatre, share your artistry in performance and receive meaningful professional adjudication and recognition.
Theatre, Performance & Recognition

Join one experience, or bring the three days together for the complete AABC festival weekend.

Friday Repertoire Masterclass

Begin the festival weekend at Adult Ballet Centre with a dedicated adult ballet repertoire masterclasses for all levels. Join us and our special guest from The Australian Ballet Company.

Develop classical repertoire through coaching focused on artistry, musicality, interpretation and performance quality. The masterclass is ideal for dancers seeking to deepen their repertoire experience or prepare for Sunday’s competition, but you do not need to be competing to participate.

Location: Adult Ballet Centre, Arnold Street, Cheltenham
Masterclass program and guest artist from The Australian Ballet Company: To be announced

Saturday Adult Ballet Classes

Experience supportive, professionally structured adult ballet training at Adult Ballet Centre Melbourne.

Visiting dancers can add two classes from ABC’s established Saturday timetable, selected according to their experience and training level. You will train alongside the Adult Ballet Centre community in our professionally equipped Cheltenham studios.

Guidance will be available for dancers who are unsure which class level will suit them best.

Location: Adult Ballet Centre, Arnold Street, Cheltenham
Saturday class options and availability: Can be found here

Sunday Adult Ballet Competition

Step onto the stage at the Shirley Burke Theatre for an encouraging and professionally presented adult ballet and contemporary dance competition in Melbourne.

Competition participants will arrive for their scheduled section, take part in the included on-stage warm-up class and then perform before the adjudicators. The warm-up class will help dancers prepare physically while becoming familiar with the stage and theatre environment.

Thoughtful adjudication will recognise:

  • Technique and quality of movement

  • Artistry and musicality

  • Interpretation

  • Performance and presentation

  • Individual development

Competition sections will include ballet, classical repertoire and contemporary dance, with carefully structured categories reflecting different levels of adult training and experience.

Location: Shirley Burke Theatre, Parkdale, Melbourne
Date: Sunday 15 August , 2027.

Be part of something bigger - together

Train in the studios. Step onto the stage. Share your artistry.

Connect with an adult dance community that understands the passion and commitment of continuing to dance.

Plan ahead for August 2027

Register your interest to receive:

  • The confirmed festival date

  • Priority access when registrations open

  • Competition sections and entry requirements

  • Friday repertoire masterclass information

  • Saturday class options

  • Guest artist and adjudicator announcements

  • Visitor and accommodation information

  • Theatre ticket release

Registering your interest does not commit you to entering or attending.

AABC Adult Ballet Competition & Festival 2027
Presented by Arnold Street Studio, Adult Ballet Centre , Cheltenham, Melbourne. Supported by Australian Institute of Classical Dance (AICD)
Kingston Arts
Shirley Burke Theatre, Parkdale
Bayside Melbourne, Australia

PLAN AHEAD - REGISTER YOUR INTEREST HERE
AABC Competition dancer in a white ballet dress and fairy wings posing with her eyes closed against a black background

Grace, passion, Inclusion, ballet, adult dancers

Grace, passion, Inclusion, ballet, adult dancers

PLAN AHEAD - REGISTER YOUR INTEREST HERE

Join The community

There is no beginning or end, only updates and reminders of the AABC competition dates confirmation enrolments and announcements

EMAIL AABC HERE

The Location

AABC will be hosted in Parkdale, Bayside, Melbourne at the the Shirley Burke Theatre. The program encourages an artistic opportunity for all levels while fostering connections within the adult dancer community and promoting a culture of inclusion and opportunities to perform.

Conveniently located in the heart of Parkdale alongside railway station and near the beach, Shirley Burke Theatre is just a 5-minute walk from Parkdale Station. The masterclasses and festival classes will occur at the Arnold Street Studios in Cheltenham

Studio Address: 3-5 Arnold Street, Cheltenham VIC 3192

Theatre Address: 64 Parkers Road, Parkdale VIC 3195

AABC dancer ins a black and white photo dressed in a tutu, standing en pointe, with arms raised above her head in a ballet pose on a dark stage.
This is a black circle for the AABC logo with a white outline against a black background.
A adult ballet dancer in a pose with arms extended, action shot for the AABC Competition wearing a leotard and ballet shoes, against a dark background.
Shirley Burke Theatre empty, a balck and white photo from side stage curtains, hanging stage lights, and an empty auditorium with rows of seats, before the AABC Competition begins.

L -37.9946651 158°SE

L- 145.0768168 36° NE

Exterior of the Shirley Burke Theatre building with its name displayed on the facade, where the AABC Competition is held
Shirley Burke Theatre empty, in coloured photo from side stage curtains, hanging stage lights, and an empty auditorium with rows of seats, before the AABC Competition begins.
The entrance of the Shirley Burke Theatre with a red carpet leading inside, during evening hours, welcoming the AABC Competition participants.
An adult ballet dancers with curly hair in a white flowing dress poses with her arm raised and fingers detailed contemporary dance for the AABC Competition event