Spring for Seniors
Monthly Dance Theatre Class
Join our monthly Dance Theatre session for the ageless, welcoming Seniors aged 55+ for an inspiring and social creative workshop inspired by the great tradition of Dance Theatre.
In the Centre for Creativity | Dance Theatre Workshop
Autumn pre-sale and on-sale information
Pre-sale timings:
- Insider Member Priority – Tuesday 24 January, 9am
- What's on Priority sale – Wednesday 25 January, 9am
General public on sale Friday 27 January, 9am
Friday 3 March & Friday 5 May 2023
Friday 3 March 2023, 10.30am - 12pm
Friday 5 May 2023, 10.30am - 12pm
Standard tickets from $25 | $8.50 Booking Fee applies per transaction [$8.95 from 28 March 2023]
Ticket | Description & price |
All tickets | |
Standard | $25 |
The only authorised ticket agency for this event is Sydney Opera House. For more information about Authorised Agencies, see the FAQ below. Children aged 15 years and under must be accompanied at all times.
The duration of this event is 90 minutes
Event duration is a guide only and may be subject to change.
What to bring on the day
Water bottle and whatever you're most comfortable - ideally your favourite dancing pants!
Please bring shoes you can take off, as this workshop is best done barefoot!
Recommended for adults 55+
No previous Dance or Theatre experience is necessary. Facilitators will guide participants in movement exercises and activities that meet their physical movement levels.
Inspiring and social creative workshop
Join our monthly Dance Theatre session for the Ageless, welcoming Seniors aged 55+ for an inspiring and social creative workshop inspired by the great tradition of Dance Theatre.
You will move and explore creative expression and storytelling through a gentle dance class connected with a physical exploration of theatre, memories and the imagination. The movement class is followed by a conversation, over coffee, about Dance Theatre's great moments with dance artist and educator Diane Busuttil.
This Dance Theatre class is designed for those new to dance and movement, wanting to explore creative expression, build strength and mobility, improve balance, and increase short-term memory and musicality, as well as meet new friends in the beautiful surroundings of Sydney Opera House.
Come solo or bring a group of friends to fulfil your creative potential!
March 3: Theme is Words
We will be exploring how to use them as stimulus for movement in both usual and abstract ways.
May 5: Theme is Images and Memory
This session will be an internal exploration of how images shape our memory of events.
Prior to the workshop, please notify us if you will need a chair for the session, so we can have those available. Please email accessibility@sydneyoperahouse.com to request a chair or notify our team of any additional needs you may have.
Presented by Sydney Opera House
Meet the Artist
Diane Busuttil
Diane's background is in dance, choreography, and live performance. She has worked as an independent dancer, choreographer and performer for many years throughout Australia, Europe and Asia. Diane has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Dance, and a Master of Research Degree. In 2000, Diane was awarded a DAAD scholarship to study BODY at The International Women's University in Germany which initiated her fifteen-year stay in Berlin, Germany where she worked primarily in dance theatre as well as opera, circus and traditional theatre.
Through Creative Caring, Diane facilitates creativity through dance, which has the power to open hearts, change minds and bring people from diverse cultural backgrounds and abilities together. Creative Caring projects are often participatory and collaborative, reaching out to different communities and across sectors, focusing on the union of arts and health to act as a remedy for our personal and social ills. Diane brings dance programs to seniors in many formats; through socially engaged practice in a community setting, in aged care homes, and in residential living. Additionally, she teaches dance composition and performance to tertiary students. Each program is specifically tailored to the age and movement capacity of the participants. She has over 20 years of experience working with older people as a trainer, facilitator, and movement consultant.
Diane's philosophy is that movement is a primary expressive language and a strong artistic tool that binds people, through creativity, to their community. Through dance theatre programs, Diane builds a sense of belonging through socially engaged art practices. Recently Diane undertook a CASE Incubator residency with The CAD Factory.
Venue Information
The Centre for Creativity will adhere to a maximum capacity of 1 person per two square metres, in line with the current NSW Public Health Order.
Our foyers will be open 60 minutes pre-show for Joan Sutherland Theatre performances, and two hours pre-show for Western Foyer venue performances. Refreshments will be available for purchase from our theatre bars. Please remember to maintain physical distancing whilst consuming drinks in our foyers.
All Sydney Opera House foyers are pram accessible, with lifts to the main and western foyers. The public lift to all foyers is accessible from the corridor near the escalators on the Lower Concourse and also in the Western Foyer via the corridor on the Ground Level (at the top of the escalators). Pram parking will be available outside the theatres in the Western Foyer consistent with COVID-safe rules.
Transport options
- We encourage you to use private transport options to minimise crowding on public transport (in line with NSW Government advice).
- The Sydney Opera House Car Park, operated by Wilson Parking, is open and available to use. Wilson Parking offer discounted parking if you book ahead. Please see their website for details.
- Please check the Transport NSW website for the latest advice and information on travel and COVID-19 safety measures. You can catch public transport (bus, train, ferry) to Circular Quay and enjoy a 6 min walk to the Opera House.
Who is this workshop suited to?
This session is available to adults at all movement and mobility levels aged 55+ years. No previous Dance or Theatre experience is necessary. Faciliators will guide participants in movement exercises and activities that meet their physical movement levels.
What should I wear on the day?
Please wear an outfit you are comfortable moving in and shoes you can take off, as this workshop is best done barefoot!
What if I require a chair for the session?
This is a gentle active class, so prior to the workshop please notify us if you will need a chair for the session, so we can have those available.
Please email accessibility@sydneyoperahouse.com to request a chair or notify our team of any additional needs you may have.
What should I bring on the day?
Water bottle and whatever you're most comfortable - ideally your favourite dancing pants!
Please bring shoes you can take off, as this workshop is best done barefoot!
Where is the workshop located?
The workshop is in our new Centre for Creativity at the end of the Western foyers, near the entrance to the Drama Theatre.
What if I am late for the workshop?
We will start promptly at the installation/workshop time, however if you are running late, please make your way to the Centre of Creativity where you can join the activity.
Will there be food and drink?
This workshop includes a hot drink. For other requirements - the Opera Bar, Opera Kitchen and Portside are also available to purchase food before your event.
Please bring a credit or debit card for any on-site purchases to enable contactless payment.
Frequently Asked Questions - Performance & Venue
What time do I need to arrive before the event?
We advise that you arrive 15 minutes prior to the event. Ticket purchases and collection at our Box Office is discouraged and eTicket or postal delivery methods should be used, wherever possible. However, if you are collecting your tickets from the Box Office, we recommend doing this at least 60 minutes before the event starts.
I have access needs. How can the Opera House support me?
Please advise us upon booking if you have any particular learning or mobility needs for us to support
Who are the authorised ticket sellers for this event?
The authorised agency for this event is the Sydney Opera House.
Only tickets purchased by authorised agencies should be considered reliable. If you purchase tickets from a non-authorised agency such as Ticketmaster Resale, Viagogo, Ticketbis, eBay, Gumtree, Tickets Australia or any other unauthorised seller, you risk that these tickets are fake, void or have previously been cancelled. RESALE RESTRICTION APPLIES. For more details, please refer to our General Terms and Conditions for Tickets and Attendance at Events.
Where does this event/workshop/installation happen?
The workshop happens in our new Centre for Creativity at the end of the Western foyers, near the entrance to the Drama Theatre
What if I can't come to the event?
Please contact Box Office on 9250 7777 as soon as possible to advise if you can no longer attend. If you can no longer attend because you are unwell, or have been in contact with someone displaying COVID-19 symptoms, the Opera House has introduced flexible ticketing options to help you, find out more information here.
Will there be food and beverages available to be purchased in the venue?
Food and beverages will not be allowed in the Centre for Creativity unless specified in the event. Opera Bar, Opera Kitchen and Portside are also available to purchase food before your event. Please bring a credit or debit card for any on-site purchases to enable contactless payment.
Will there be bag checks, and is cloaking available?
All Sydney Opera House foyers are pram accessible, with lifts to the main and western foyers. The public lift to the foyers is accessible from the corridor near the escalators on the Lower Concourse and also in the Western Foyer via the corridor on the Ground Level (at the top of the escalators). Pram parking will be available outside the theatres in the Western Foyer or as directed by Sydney Opera House staff, adhering to COVID-safe rules.
Can I smoke at the Opera House?
- The health, safety and wellbeing of everyone at the Sydney Opera House is our top priority. In line with this commitment, the Opera House will become a smoke-free site from Saturday 1 January 2022.
- By becoming a smoke-free site, the Opera House seeks to reduce exposure to harmful second-hand smoke, as well as minimise the impact of smoking on the environment, including litter and pollution of the surrounding marine environment.
What safety measures have you implemented?
Nothing is more important to us than the health and safety of everyone on site, and we are closely following NSW Health guidelines and advice. The Sydney Opera House is registered as a COVID Safe business with the NSW Government. For detailed information about our COVID-19 safety measures and what’s required of you when visiting, please see our plan your visit page.
What am I required to do as an audience member?
Bring and wear a mask. Face masks continue to be required for patrons aged 12 years and over while inside our foyers and theatres, including during the performance (unless medically exempt). We highly recommend children aged 11 years and younger wear a mask at all times. Please bring your own mask.
As you move around the Opera House, practise physical distancing (1.5 metres whenever possible) and follow the guidance provided by our staff and signage.
Within venues, always take your allocated seat.
For detailed information about our COVID-19 safety measures and what’s required of you, please see our plan your visit page.
Do I need to be vaccinated to attend the Opera House?
Yes. Patrons and visitors aged 16 years and over entering the Opera House building are required to show that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, unless medically exempt (under 16s not fully vaccinated must be accompanied by a fully vaccinated adult). This includes visitors and patrons attending a performance or event, taking a tour, or visiting the box office, retail store, bar or restaurant operated within the building (Bennelong and Portside). These requirements do not apply to visitors attending outdoor events or venues on the Lower Concourse, including Opera Bar, Opera Kitchen and the Welcome Centre. Check-in processes will be in place for verifying proof of vaccination upon entry.
Am I required to wear a mask?
Yes, please bring and wear a mask. Face masks continue to be required for patrons aged 12 years and over while inside our foyers and theatres, including during the performance (unless medically exempt). We highly recommend children aged 11 years and younger wear a mask at all times. Please bring your own mask.
Some members of the community may have issues wearing masks due to health conditions. We ask that you be respectful to others as reasons for not wearing a mask are not always obvious.
How are you managing contact tracing?
Contact information is required when making a booking with us and upon arrival at the Opera House, as set out in our General Terms and Conditions for Tickets and Attendance at Events and our Customer Privacy Statement.
As the ticket purchaser, you are responsible for recording the contact details of your guests. Contact information will only be used for the purposes of contact tracing, if required, and will be deleted at least 28 days after your event.
Will my temperature be taken?
In line with current NSW Health advice, we will not be carrying out temperature checks.
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