Dance Trust of Zimbabwe
The Dance Trust of Zimbabwe supports generations of dancers across multiple genres, providing a safe and professional environment for training, rehearsal and performance.
Originally established as the home of the National Ballet of Zimbabwe, the centre has evolved into the central hub for dance in Harare, continuing to play a vital role in developing the performing arts community.
A Home Built For Dance
The home of the Dance Trust Of Zimbabwe was first purchased in May 1979 by friends of the National Ballet following a fundraising initiative led by the Salisbury Ballet Society. The building officially opened in 1980, creating a permanent base for ballet training and performance.
Over time the building supported a growing range of activity, housing several branches including the National Ballet Company, Tumbuka Contemporary Dance Company, the Dance Foundation Course and an Outreach Programme.
In 2004, the organisation adopted the umbrella name Dance Trust of Zimbabwe to better reflect a more inclusive vision that embraced multiple dance styles and community initiatives.
Today, the centre continues to operate as the hub of the local dance community, hosting classes, rehearsals, performances and outreach programmes for dancers of all ages and abilities.
“I have been dancing in this building since I was five years old. It is my home.” – Caro Yule, Administrator, Dance Trust of Zimbabwe
Major Dance Studio Refurbishment
In 2011, a devastating roof collapse destroyed both working studios, temporarily halting activity at the centre. Following two years of fundraising and community support, the building went through a major refurbishment.
As part of the restoration, the organisation selected a light grey Harlequin Cascade performance surface with its new sprung floor. The floor was selected for its durability and controlled slip resistance, helping to support dancer safety and consistent performance across different dance styles.
“Harlequin was immediately the favourite for consideration. It had to last a long time and provide enough grip without preventing turns. It has proved to be brilliant and has lasted so well, even after 14 years of daily use. It is still easy to dance on, resilient and a wonderful testament to the quality of Harlequin.” – Caro Yule
Supporting Future Generations
The Dance Trust of Zimbabwe continues to play an essential role in developing opportunities for young dancers and rebuilding the wider dance sector. Plans include expanding the performance space and creating additional studios to meet growing demand.
“The Dance Trust of Zimbabwe is the hub of the dance community. It was built by dancers for dancers and for future generations to have a safe space to learn, grow and perform.” – Caro Yule
Looking ahead, the organisation is exploring further collaboration with Harlequin, including portable sprung dance floors for new staging areas. Harlequin is proud to work with organisations like the Dance Trust of Zimbabwe and the National Ballet of Zimbabwe, who recognise the importance of professional dance flooring in supporting dancer safety, performance quality and the sustainable development of the performing arts.
