Founded in 2025, the charitable, purpose-driven Post Dance Support Foundation supports former dancers of the Berlin State Ballet during their transition into a new phase of life.
The term «transition» refers to the process of reorientation that follows the end of a professional dance career. As ballet dancers often commit to their profession intensively from early childhood, the conclusion of an active stage career – whether due to injury or age – brings about profound change across almost all areas of life. Transition can be challenging not only emotionally and in terms of personal identity and role, but also with regard to very practical questions of qualifications and financial security.
This is where the Post Dance Support Foundation comes in. It provides departing dancers of the Staatsballett Berlin with advice and financial assistance after the end of their active performing careers. Funding is intended in particular to support education and further training, or to help with setting up a new professional livelihood.
The founder and initiator, Enno Walther, has been an avid ballet enthusiast since his student days and a long-standing member of the Friends & Supporters of the Staatsballett Berlin. Inspired by the work of the Health Department, which supports dancers’ physical wellbeing during their active careers, he began to explore the issue more deeply. This led to the wish to accompany dancers not only during their careers, but also at the point of transition into a new professional life, through the establishment of a foundation.
Applications for grants must be submitted in writing by dancers who are leaving or have already left the ensemble. Formal eligibility requirements include at least five consecutive years of membership in the Staatsballett Berlin and documented financial need. Decisions on grants are made by the Foundation’s Board of Trustees.
At its inception, the Foundation’s assets consist of a donation from its initiator and will later be augmented by a testamentary bequest from the same individual. The Post Dance Support Foundation is administered by the Stiftung Oper in Berlin, represented by the Staatsballett Berlin.
Donations and/or endowments from third parties are warmly welcomed at any time.
If you are interested, please contact the administrative office:
Anna-Isabel Steffen
geschaeftsfuehrung@staatsballett-berlin.de
Tel. +49 (0)30 343 84 140
Founder:
Enno Walther
Board of Trustees:
Jenny Mahr, Managing Director, Staatsballett Berlin
Michael Banzhaf, Artistic Operations Manager, Staatsballett Berlin
Tillman Prinz, Board Member, Friends and Supporters of the Staatsballett Berlin e.V.