Following a successful opening run of their 2026 season and new production Juxtapose at Johannesburg’s Roodepoort Theatre and the Mandela Bay Theatre Complex in Gqeberha, independent dance company WGRUV (pronounced “W-Groove”) will introduce another new work in Johannesburg in the coming months. Highlights will debut at the Roodepoort Theatre from 9 to 12 July before moving to the UJ Arts Centre from 20 to 23 August and then to the Homecoming Centre in Cape Town from 27 to 29 August 2026. Tickets and more information at wgruvdance.com or book now at webtickets.co.za.
Highlights: Tracing the Line is a celebration of choreographic excellence drawn from some of the most compelling voices in contemporary and classical ballet. Following the success of Juxtapose earlier this season, Highlights offers something both familiar and fresh: a curated collection of audience favourites and new discoveries, brought to life by WGRUV’s artists with the precision and passion the company is known for.
The programme brings together works by internationally acclaimed choreographer Jessica Lang, whose craftsmanship has defined a generation of neo-classical ballet; Jesse Obremski, whose visceral movement language cuts to the heart of human connection; Michael Trusnovec, a master of quiet power and sculptural clarity; and WGRUV’s own Holly Gruver and Lex Gruver, whose collaborative choreographic voice continues to mature into something distinctly their own.
Together, the works explore the fundamental language of the body – line, colour, weight, and meaning – in a programme designed not merely to be watched, but to be felt.
“We wanted to offer our audiences an experience at the theatre that fills them,” says WGRUV Artistic Director Holly Gruver. “Each work traces something – a gesture, a story, an emotion – and together they form a line from the stage to the heart. This is dance with purpose. Dance that leaves you more alive than when you arrived.”
From the architecture of a perfectly held line to the explosion of movement in full colour, Highlights is a performance that reminds audiences why they come to the theatre: to be seen, to be moved, and to be reminded that beauty is never incidental — it is always intentional.
On the Thursday afternoons just before the show opening in all three cities, WGRUV is hosting a dress rehearsal at 16h00 for students and school groups, followed by a Q&A session with the WGRUV dancers. Tickets cost R99 per student. To book, contact tanya@wgruvdance.com
WGRUV Dance Company (NPC 2022/508213/08), founded by Holly Gruver, is Johannesburg’s contemporary ballet company, dedicated to communicating hope through world-class artistic storytelling. Based in Bryanston, the company works with South African and international choreographers to produce work of depth, beauty, and cultural significance across South Africa and beyond.
Book now for Highlights and make sure to diarise WGRUV’s remaining three runs for the year: Angels In Africa from 12 to 15 November at the UJ Arts Centre and 15 to 20 December at the Roodepoort Theatre, with performances at the Mandela Bay Theatre Complex provisionally planned for 2 to 7 November.
“In these three new works that we have created – ‘JUXTAPOSE’, ‘Highlights’ and ‘Angels In Africa’ – we have a beautiful programme for 2026 that can be defined by saying. ‘One Line. Three Visions. Infinite Humanity,” says Holly Gruver.
See Highlights, 9 to 12 July, Roodepoort Theatre (Johannesburg); 20 to 23 August, UJ Arts Centre (Johannesburg) and 26 to 29 August at the Homecoming Centre in Cape Town. Tickets from R220 to R300 with special group discounts of 10% on five-plus tickets and 20% on ten-plus tickets, valid only on the first two prices. Book now at Webtickets.co.za and more information at wgruvdance.com
HIGHLIGHTS 2026
JOHANNESBURG, GAUTENG:
- Venue: Roodepoort Theatre (@roodepoorttheater)
Dates & Show Times:
- Thursday, 9 July at 15h00 Dress rehearsal
- Friday, 10 July at 19h00
- Saturday, 11 July at 15h00
- Sunday, 12 July at 15h00
Ticket prices
- All performances: R220, R250, R280, R300
- Groups: 5-plus tickets – 10% discount. Ten-plus tickets – 20% discount. Valid only on first two prices.
- Bookings: webtickets.co.za
- Venue: UJ Arts Centre (@uj-arts-centre)
Dates & Show Times
- Thursday, 20 August at 15h00 Dress rehearsal
- Friday, 21 August at 19h00
- Saturday, 22 August at 15h00
- Sunday, 23 August at 15h00
Ticket prices
All performances: R220, R250, R280, R300
- Groups: 5-plus tickets – 10% discount. Ten-plus tickets – 20% discount. Valid only on first two prices.
- Bookings: webtickets.co.za
CAPE TOWN, WESTERN CAPE:
- Venue: Homecoming Centre (@homecomingcentre)
Dates & Show Times
- Thursday, 27 August at 15h00 Dress rehearsal
- Friday, 28 August at 19h00
- Saturday, 29 August at 15h00
Ticket Prices:
All performances: R220, R250, R280, R300
- Groups: 5-plus tickets – 10% discount. Ten-plus tickets – 20% discount. Valid only on first two prices.
- Bookings: webtickets.co.za
SOCIAL MEDIA
WGRUV Dance Company
- Website: wgruvdance.com
- Facebook: WGRUV Dance Company
- Instagram: @WGRUVdancecompany
- Tiktok: @wgruvdancecompany
- Twitter: @wgruvdance
Dancers
@ruangaldino, @marlon.ssales, @sailimarie_ @dance.chloe09, @javiermonierjr, @nicolatolmay, @chelsea_wewege, @p.vrrrr, @jenn2106, @jenna._levin, @lex_gruver_, @vvasconcelos99,
Choreographers
Instagram: Instagram: @hollygruver,@lex_gruver, @truzdncr, @jesse_obremski, @jessicalangchoreographer