As Grace Cruwys poses for a photo outside the reception rooms at the Ipswich Grammar Girls School she dances a playful pas de deux with her shadow.
Grace, 13, spent her school holidays a little differently to most – performing at QPAC in Ballet Theatre Queensland’s (BTQ) sold out production of Cinderella.
The first full length ballet to be staged at QPAC since the pandemic, the ballet adaptation of the timeless Charles Perrault fairy tale was one Grace worked hard to be a part of.
“I was in the Winter and Spring fairy quarter ballet and I was an understudy for all of the ballroom scenes,” she said.
Grace already dances five days a week, but when she was accepted into the production, she had to add an extra eight hours of dancing into her schedule.
“I was at home when we got an email saying I got in and I was really excited,” she said.
“I dance Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday already.
“For rehearsals for Cinderella it was 9 till 5 every Sunday and at times it was difficult because of Covid.”
Grace was dancing beside the next generation of Queensland Ballet stars, performing in a cast of 62.
Executive Director of BTQ, Denise Richardson, said the cast included 19 junior dancers.
“It’s demanding on them. They all rise to the occasion but we’re very careful to structure to their capabilities, they’re all very talented of course.” she said.
It was Grace’s second year on the big stage after she performed at QPAC in Swan Lake last year.
“I was kind of nervous at first to be up on the huge stage but then we did our bar classes on the stage, so I got used to it,” she said.
It’s hard to imagine how she fits everything in, studying at high school, excelling in ballet and still finding time to be a 13-year-old girl, but Grace doesn’t seem to be too phased.
“Sometimes I find it hard to balance and I get tired, but I can still do my homework on the bus if I need to and I have some days off,” she said.
“My friends also really like that I do ballet and they’re really supportive too.”
Dance teacher and principal at Sayers Dance, Nadine Sayers, said Grace had been dancing at her studio since the age of three and had always shown purpose when it came to dance.
“Grace shows great potential and a true passion in dance,” she said.
“Because of her wonderful dedication she has always been awarded Distinctions in her Royal Academy of Dance exams.
“Having such wonderful work ethic is rare in one so young but often found in talented dancers like Grace.”
IT’S HER DETERMINED attitude that likely caught the attention of Queensland Ballet Academy’s Artistic Director when they hand-picked Grace to be one of the recipients of their one week secondment.
“The artistic director from the ballet came along and watched one of our classes and he chose from there,” she said.
“I was surprised but happy at the same time.
“Basically, one week this year I go to Queensland Ballet and I have to leave school early Monday to Friday.
“I’ll be there from 1.30pm till 6.30pm but I’m really excited.”
Ms Richardson said the secondment was a great way for young dancers like Grace to experience what their future might have in store for them.
“It just gives the dancers an opportunity to see or experience the Queensland Ballet Academy and how it might be if they’re lucky enough to get into the academy in their later years of training,” she said.
“It’s an encouragement given to those dancers that seem to have a particular talent.”
Grace has danced since she could walk and hopes that after finishing school she’ll be able to take centre stage.
“I’ve always loved it,” she said. “You can express yourself and just feel free.
“When I finish, I want to try and go professional and after that I’d like to teach.”
