Queensland Ballet is offering free weekly ballet classes for boys in a bid to boost male participation in the artform and challenge lingering stereotypes.
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The Ballet Boys Project, open to boys aged 11 to 14, runs at Queensland Ballet’s West End studios and the Academy at Kelvin Grove. The second semester of the boys-only program began on 16 July 2025. No fees, uniforms or auditions are required, with organisers aiming to remove barriers that may stop boys from trying ballet.
Students who join the classes train with professional male teachers, focus on male-specific ballet technique, and practise in purpose-built studios. The boys-only format also gives them the chance to build friendships with peers, many of whom were previously the only male in their local ballet schools.
For 12-year-old Lucas, one of the students, the classes began as a way to improve his hip hop but quickly turned into a genuine love for ballet. Alfred, 13, who once danced as the only boy in his town’s school, said it has been a welcome change to learn alongside others his age and to pick up skills from them as well.
Beyond dance skills, the program is designed to support physical and personal development. Boys gain strength, flexibility, and coordination that can complement other sports, while also building resilience and confidence. The mentoring from experienced male dancers helps them see ballet as a pathway that values athleticism as much as artistry.
Queensland Ballet says the initiative is part of a wider effort to address the global decline in male dancers, which it sees as a sustainability issue for the artform. By making ballet more accessible, the company hopes to ensure stronger participation from boys and men in the years ahead.
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Some students take part to improve coordination and fitness for other sports, while others are pursuing ballet more seriously. Across the board, participants are benefiting from the focus on strength, power and athleticism — qualities that highlight ballet as a discipline demanding as much rigour as any sport.
Published 28-August-2025
