Founded in 1988 by Anthony Then and Goh Soo Kim, Singapore Dance Theatre (SDT) started as a group of seven ballet dancers in a humble dance studio on the second story of a colonial bungalow on Killiney Road. It has now blossomed into Singapore's national dance company comprising of 36 dancers and apprentices – with a repertoire that ranges from classical to contemporary ballet. Those acquainted with the dance and art scene in Singapore would have attended its shows such as Ballet Under The Stars seasons at Fort Canning Green and Passages Contemporary Season.
Three decades later, the dance company unveils its new name: Singapore Ballet. This much-anticipated news was announced at the opening of the Singapore Ballet Festival which took place from December 10 to 12. In making the name change, the company hopes to present itself in the most authentic light, whilst still remaining an ambassador for dance and for Singapore.
Artistic Director Janek Schergen, who has led the ballet since 2008, says: "By the time three decades had passed, a confident maturity to SDT was now in place and the company had its own unique identity. To reflect this and show this confident maturity of the nature of our organization, a decision has been made to rename ourselves as Singapore Ballet."