The Ballet Zoo
4–5 July 2025 | Soundings Theatre, Te Papa
Step into the magical world of The Ballet Zoo – a delightful new ballet experience for children this school holidays!
Follow our lively zookeeper on a journey through the zoo in search of a missing kiwi, meeting a meeting a menagerie of fun ballet animals along the way.
Featuring bite-sized excerpts from much-loved ballets including The Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, Le Papillon (The Butterfly), and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, this interactive 30-minute performance is a perfect introduction to ballet for young audiences. 🐈🦢🦋🐷
📍 Soundings Theatre, Te Papa Tongarewa Museum of New Zealand
📅 4–5 July 2025
🎟️ Free entry – seating is limited, arrive early to avoid disappointment
✨ Relaxed performance featuring NZSL interpretation on 4 July
👯♀️ Optional Dance workshops at Te Marae ($5 per child)- bookings essential
Recommended for ages 3–10.
Email education@rnzb.org.nz with any questions or concerns.
Soundings Theatre, Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington
Soundings Theatre, Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington
Dance Workshops
These Royal New Zealand Ballet Dance Workshops are a unique opportunity for children to learn ballet from RNZB Dance Educators.
These 30-45 min workshops offer a special insight into The Ballet Zoo, by the Royal New Zealand Ballet and introduce some basics such as foot and arm positions, pliés, balances, and jumps.
Suitable for children aged 3 – 10 regardless of their previous dance experience.
Choose the correct workshop for the child’s age below.
Email education@rnzb.org.nz with any questions or concerns.
Te Marae, Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington
Te Marae, Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington
Choreography
The Sleeping Beauty
after Marius Petipa
Swan Lake
Russell Kerr
Le Papillion
Marie Taglioni
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Liam Scarlett
Tane and the Kiwi
Nick and Laura Schultz
Music
The Sleeping Beauty
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Swan Lake
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Le Papillion
Jacques Offenbach
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Felix Mendelssohn
Tane and the Kiwi
Thomas Goss
Cast
Zookeeper
Jordana Arnold
Dancers
Tessa Karle
Niamh O’Meara
Ruby Ryburn
Hillary An-Roddie
Hannah Thomson
Emma Gavin
Olivia Platt
Timothy Ching
Ema Takahashi
Joshua Douglas
Rose Xu
Angus O’Connell
Catarina Estévez Collins
NZSL Interpreter
Megan Pochin
Crew
Lighting Design
Joshua Tucker-Emerson
Stage Manager
Morgan Dean
Rehearsal Directors
Clytie Campbell, Nick Schultz and Laura Schultz
Poster Design
Aimée Sullivan
Script
Lauren Byrne and Gemma Shapleski