IT’S time for end-of-year dance shows.

This weekend the Classical Ballet Centre Canberra will stage a dance version of The Wizard of Oz at The Canberra Playhouse.

“Yellow Brick Road” will feature more than 240 students from CBCC, aged 4 to 18, and incorporates classical ballet, modern, jazz, tap and contemporary. A highlight will be a scene fusing ballet and contemporary dance in which students re-interpret the ‘poppies’ scene from the movie.

CBCC director, Lorraine Bennett, says, “A lot of time and effort goes into the show each year but the buzz from students and families alike, and the value of performance experience for all students cannot be measured,” Ms Bennett said.

On a poignant note, this year the school will say farewell to two students, Mali Walker and Mara Glass, who have both been dancing since a very young age and are finishing their Year 12 studies.

“The wonderful thing about dance is that it gives young people a great advantage in many ways, through increased confidence, an ability to express themselves and a disciplined and focused attitude to life.”

Rehearsals will be held at the Main Hall at Cook Hub, Templeton Street Cook for the next four weeks, including from 11-5:30pm Nov 16/17, 23/24.  Dress rehearsals will be held Wednesday and Thursday (27 and 28 November) 6-9:30pm and media are invited to photograph and film the rehearsals.

“ Yellow Brick Road”, at The Playhouse, Canberra Theatre Centre, 6.30pm on Friday, November 29 and 2pm on Saturday, November, bookings to 6275 2700 or canberratheatrecentre.com.au