ASTANA – The Astana Opera will host its first Astana Opera Ball in the opera house’s Marble Hall on July 1. Cast members are being chosen and tickets to the public will be made available soon. 
“Young people from all over Kazakhstan may take part in this ball. For now, mostly residents of the capital city have expressed their interest but the (casting) process is not over yet,” Senior Specialist of the theatre’s press service Yekaterina Romanova told The Astana Times.
One-hundred of the country’s best dance pairs are expected to open the ball. Candidates have to go through a number of steps to participate in the ball casting. Casting for dancers at the ball has almost wrapped up, however, debutantes will be selected on April 2, according to the press office of Astana Opera.
“Single young men aged 18-28 and women aged 18-25 wishing to fill their lives with bright impressions and plunge into the magical atmosphere of the ball may place a request to participate,” the opera house notes.
Age, however, is not the only criteria when it comes to selecting participants. Male participants must be taller than 175 centimetres and females 165 centimetres and taller. Looks, musical sense, plasticity, dance skills and refinement level also matter.
Renowned choreographers will give dance lessons to the selected 100 pairs during three months. Psychologists will be assisting young people in overcoming nervous excitement they might experience due to feeling uneasy about being in the spotlight.
The opera house will provide participants with luxurious ball gowns, tiaras and tuxedos, the press office stated.
The ball committee includes seniors of Astana Opera’s creative team, including Artistic Director of the ballet company and People’s Artist of Russia Altynai Asylmuratova.
The ball is expected to include high-level guests, music stars and media. Tickets will be available for sale as soon as all participants are selected.
“Casting is taking place now. Young people show great interest, however, none of the less female candidates are leading by the number of applications received,” organisers noted.
According organisers, this is a great chance to connect with classic arts, learn dancing and find new, interesting friends.
“Our goal is to make the ball in Astana one if the most significant events on the eve of the Day of the Capital so that thousands of guests from different cities and countries attend this event each year,” organisers said.
The Astana Opera Ball is financially supported by sponsors of the theatre and held with assistance from the Kazakh Ministry Culture and Sports.
