Seoul City Ballet Marks 2nd Anniversary — First Foreign Dancers Join Season Auditions
Creatrip Team
21 days ago
Seoul City Ballet, Korea’s only public contemporary ballet company, celebrated its second anniversary and held season auditions that for the first time included foreign applicants. A total of 138 dancers applied, including 49 from 23 countries; 43 advanced from the mixed video-and-live first round and five foreign dancers reached the live second round. The auditions were led by stagers for upcoming works by noted choreographers and assessed dancers on learning speed, musical responsiveness and movement quality rather than appearance. Founded in August 2024 with two-year (season) contracts instead of traditional lifetime public-company posts, the company recruits about 20 season dancers annually and uses flexible “project dancers” and “global guest dancers.” To attract international talent, Seoul City Ballet introduced English notices on global dance platforms, an English application, video screening for round one, short-term housing for up to 10 days and assistance with E-6 artist visas. The company says opening recruitment to all nationalities will broaden its artistic range and strengthen Seoul’s image as an open, global arts city.
