Staff Reports | Happenings & Events
Ballet Arizona will celebrate its 40th season with a 2026–2027 lineup that includes classical and contemporary ballets, a world premiere and the launch of a new choreography lab aimed at developing emerging creative voices.
Founded in 1986 through the merger of three companies, Ballet Arizona has grown into one of the Southwest’s professional ballet organizations, presenting work that blends traditional repertory with new choreography while expanding access to dance across the state, according to a press release.
Under the artistic direction of Daniela Cardim, the company includes more than 30 professional dancers and presents performances throughout Arizona reflecting both classical traditions and contemporary approaches to ballet.
“We are excited to unveil our 2026‑2027 season and to celebrate 40 strong years as a ballet organization,” Ms. Cardim said. “This milestone anniversary season is our tribute to the enduring power of dance and the vibrant community that inspires us. We invite everyone to experience the magic, innovation, and passion that defines our company, as we look forward to many more years of artistic excellence.”
The season begins with a revival of Romeo & Juliet from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, through Sunday, Oct. 25, at Symphony Hall. Featuring a live performance of Sergei Prokofiev’s score by The Phoenix Symphony, the production returns the choreography of Ib Andersen to the Ballet Arizona stage.
From 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11, through Sunday, Dec. 27, Ballet Arizona will present The Nutcracker at Symphony Hall, accompanied by live music from The Phoenix Symphony and choreography by Artistic Director Emeritus Ib Andersen.
The company’s winter repertoire continues with Don Quixote from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, through Sunday, Feb. 14, 2027. The production is choreographed by Marius Petipa with adaptations by Ms. Cardim and is based on Miguel de Cervantes’ novel.
Ballet Arizona’s spring program, Pulse, will be performed from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, April 1, through Sunday, April 4, 2027, at Orpheum Theatre. The mixed repertory includes Divertimento No. 15 by George Balanchine, Ghosts by Christopher Wheeldon and Fingers in the Air by Juanjo Arqués.
The company will return to the Desert Botanical Garden with Desert Lines: An Evening at Desert Botanical Garden from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 12, through Saturday, May 29, 2027. The program includes the world premiere of Stillness by resident choreographer Nayon Iovino and Gnawa by Nacho Duato.
The season concludes with the debut of Ballet in the Making, a new choreographic initiative designed to showcase works in development. Performances are scheduled from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 12, at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts.
“We are honored to share Ballet Arizona’s 40th season with our Arizona community,” said Executive Director Jami Kozemczak. “From our first season to where we stand today, the company has experienced tremendous growth, shaped by the dedication and passion of so many individuals. We are deeply proud of all we have accomplished together and excited for everything the future holds.”
BALLET ARIZONA’s 2026-2027 Season
ROMEO & JULIET
Oct. 22-25, 2026
With The Phoenix Symphony at Symphony Hall
Choreography: Ib Andersen
Music: Sergei Prokofiev
Celebrated as Ib Andersen’s greatest work, Romeo and Juliet captivates audiences with its exquisite beauty and expression of human emotion. From youthful romance to devastating loss, Romeo and Juliet remains the eternal symbol of love in its purest form. In honor of the 40th anniversary season, Ib Andersen’s celebrated interpretation reveals the beauty and brutality of human emotion. Set to Prokofiev’s iconic score and performed live by The Phoenix Symphony, this is a story of passion, conflict, and fate.
THE NUTCRACKER
Dec. 11-27, 2026
With The Phoenix Symphony at Symphony Hall
Choreography: Ib Andersen
Music: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Ballet Arizona returns to Symphony Hall in grand fashion with this holiday classic. Celebrate the joy and wonder of the season with Ib Andersen’s “The Nutcracker” as Tchaikovsky’s cherished score is masterfully performed by The Phoenix Symphony. Follow Clara’s wintry adventures as she battles mischievous mice and charms the Sugar Plum Fairy. Whether this is your first Nutcracker or your 101st, this heartwarming tradition never fails to enchant and draw smiles from all!
DON QUIXOTE
Feb. 11-14, 2027
With The Phoenix Symphony at Symphony Hall
Choreography after Marius Petipa and Alexander Gorksy. Adaptation and additional choreography by Daniela Cardim.
Music: Ludwig Minkus
Brimming with joy, humor, and Spanish flair, Don Quixote is ballet’s ultimate romantic comedy. Inspired by Miguel de Cervantes’ beloved novel and brought to the stage through the choreography of Marius Petipa, this lively classic bursts with theatrical energy, cheeky characters, and dazzling dance. Light, playful, and full of heart, Don Quixote is a celebration of love and unforgettable fun.
PULSE: THREE WORKS SHAPING BALLET TODAY
April 1 – 4, 2027
Orpheum Theatre
Immerse yourself in a performance of exceptional contemporary and classical ballet in a mixed program that brings together three dynamic works. Celebrating masterful and inventive choreography, the program comes together like a collection of short stories, each offering its own distinct voice, atmosphere, and artistic world.
Divertimento No. 15
Choreography: George Balanchine
Music: “Divertimento No. 15 in B-flat major, K. 287” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
A grand showcase of classical ballet, Divertimento No. 15 is one of George Balanchine’s most radiant and celebratory works. Set to what he considered Mozart’s finest divertimento, this dazzling ballet features a regal ensemble, full tutus, and a spectacular display of musicality, precision, and brilliance.
Ghosts
Choreography: Christopher Wheeldon
Music: “Ghosts” by C.F. Kip Winger
Ethereal and emotional, Ghosts evokes a world shaped by memory, atmosphere, and unseen forces. Christopher Wheeldon’s choreography weaves intricate partnering and flowing movement into a haunting, hypnotic experience that feels both serene and quietly suspenseful.
Fingers in the Air
Choreography: Juanjo Arqués
Music: Robin Rimbaud – Scanner
What if the performance was never the same twice? Fingers in the air is a dynamic and unexpected contemporary ballet that invites audiences into a world of choice, chance, and movement. Energetic, athletic, and full of surprises, each performance becomes a one-of-a-kind experience.
DESERT LINES: AN EVENING AT DESERT BOTANICAL GARDEN
May 12 – May 29, 2027
Desert Botanical Garden
Experience the beauty of ballet beneath the open sky at Desert Botanical Garden. Desert Lines transforms the desert landscape into a living stage, where two captivating works unfold at sunset in a celebration of movement, nature, and artistry.
STILLNESS – World Premiere
Choreography: Nayon Iovino
Music: Polar Suite by Christel Veraart
In Stillness, Resident Choreographer Nayon Iovino creates a new work that bridges two contrasting worlds: Arctic quiet and desert energy. Set to the cinematic, atmospheric album Polar Suite by composer Christel Veraart, this sculptural and fluid choreography transforms the garden into a space where frozen landscapes meet Southwestern vibrancy, offering a contemplative dialogue between nature, movement, and sound.
Gnawa
Choreography: Nacho Duato
Music: Gift of the Gnawa, “Ma’Bud Allah” by Hassan Hakmoun/Adam Rudolph; Finis Africae, “Carauari” by Juan Alberto Arteche and Javier Paxariño; Nafas, “Window” by Rabih Abou-Khalil, Velez, Kusur and Sarkissian
Choreographed by Nacho Duato, Gnawa is a powerful ensemble, inspired by the spiritual traditions and rhythms of North Africa and the Mediterranean. Grounded, fluid, and richly atmospheric, the choreography unfolds with raw energy and organic beauty, evoking both the landscape and the spirit of its people.
BALLET IN THE MAKING
June 12, 2027
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
Choreography: Various, Ballet In the Making Selections
Music: Various
Ballet Arizona’s new choreographic initiative for emerging voices marks the inaugural program of its kind and is a capstone to the 40th anniversary season. Dancers will step into the role of choreographers, creating original dances through experimentation and collaboration. These staged works-in-progress invite audiences to experience ballet at its most fresh and evolving.
