Six world premieres, an all-Justin Peck Festival at Highmark Mann, expanded performances, and more opportunities than ever to experience dance across Philadelphia.
At BalletX, we believe dance is for everyone.
That’s why we’re thrilled to announce our 2026-2027 Season: a bold year of world premieres, expanded performance opportunities, free community programs, and unforgettable artistic experiences designed to bring people together through the power of dance.
Rooted in stories of transformation, resilience, imagination, and connection, this season invites audiences into remarkable worlds. From the hidden speakeasies of Prohibition-era Philadelphia to the mysterious ecosystem created by a whale’s fall to the ocean floor, these new works explore what it means to be human and the ways we are connected to one another.
Building on a string of sold-out performances, we’re expanding our performance runs at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre from one week to two weeks, giving audiences more opportunities to experience the creativity, innovation, and world-class artistry that define BalletX.
“This season brings together artists who are taking bold creative risks to tell stories that are urgent, relevant, and deeply human,” says Christine Cox, Artistic & Executive Director of BalletX. “At a moment when so many people are searching for connection, these works invite us to see ourselves and our shared humanity in new ways. World premieres are central to who we are. They give artists the freedom to explore the questions, relationships, and experiences that shape our lives today. These choreographers are pushing the art form forward, and BalletX exists to champion their voices, spark meaningful connections, and create experiences that challenge, inspire, and bring us together.”
Season Opening Gala
November 3 | Suzanne Roberts Theatre
The season begins with BalletX’s annual Season Opening Gala at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Following last year’s unforgettable celebration, the Gala will bring together artists, supporters, and community leaders to launch another season of world premieres, artistic innovation, and community impact.
Gala tickets and sponsorships go on sale in fall 2026.
Fall Series 2026
November 4–15 | Suzanne Roberts Theatre
The season begins with an immersive world premiere by acclaimed New Zealand choreographer Loughlan Prior, whose 2024 BalletX hit Macaroni captivated audiences with its theatrical storytelling and cinematic imagination. Created alongside designer Emma Kingsbury and composer Frank Moon, Prior’s newest work transports audiences into the hidden speakeasies of Prohibition-era Philadelphia, where jazz, glamour, and danger flourished behind locked doors and whispered passwords.
The program also welcomes the return of two celebrated BalletX works. Amy Hall Garner’s Switching the Groove (2023) brings its electrifying fusion of ballet, rhythm, and musicality back to the stage, while Christian Denice’s In the Wake (2025) offers a moving meditation on resilience, remembrance, and healing.
Spring Series 2027
March 10–21 | Suzanne Roberts Theatre
Spring Series showcases the next generation of choreographic innovation with two world premieres from rising international voices.
Noelle Kayser returns to BalletX with a haunting new work inspired by the magical realism of Gabriel García Márquez. Featuring an original score by Julia Kent and scenic design by Scott Penner, the ballet explores legacy, mortality, and the ways we honor those who came before us.
Internationally acclaimed choreographer Le Wang makes his BalletX debut with a breathtaking premiere inspired by “whalefall,” the phenomenon that occurs when a whale’s body sinks to the ocean floor and creates an entirely new ecosystem. Through movement, Wang explores transformation, renewal, and the unexpected ways life emerges from loss.
The program also marks the return of Gregory Dawson’s Sojourner (2025), an audience favorite featuring live music by Luke Carlos O’Reilly and his band.
Festival at Highmark Mann
May 21–22 | TD Pavilion at Highmark Mann
BalletX’s signature outdoor festival returns with an unprecedented evening dedicated entirely to the work of Justin Peck, one of the defining choreographic voices in contemporary ballet.
From New York City Ballet to Broadway and film, Peck has reimagined what ballet can be for modern audiences through works that are virtuosic, deeply musical, and strikingly accessible. This rare Philadelphia celebration of his work features Become a Mountain (2022), set to music by Dan Deacon, alongside the Philadelphia premieres of In Creases (2012), set to music by Philip Glass, and Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming (2018), set to music by M83.
Together, these three works showcase the extraordinary range of Peck’s artistic voice, from intimate and architectural to expansive and exhilarating.
As part of BalletX’s ongoing commitment to accessibility, Festival at Highmark Mann will continue to offer $25 tickets alongside free performances and community activities throughout the campus.
Single tickets go on sale January 19, 2027, and subscribers and donors get first access starting January 12.
Summer Series 2027
July 7–18 | Suzanne Roberts Theatre
BalletX closes the season with an extraordinary evening of world premieres, bringing together internationally celebrated artists and the next generation of choreographic talent.
South African choreographer and composer Mthuthuzeli November makes his BalletX debut with a sweeping new ballet inspired by the beauty, power, and symbolism of swans. Drawing on childhood memories of South Africa and his early fascination with Swan Lake, November blends ballet, African dance influences, and original music to reimagine one of ballet’s most iconic symbols.
Returning after her acclaimed Festival at Highmark Mann debut in 2024, Natasha Adorlee creates a new world premiere that showcases her bold theatrical imagination and genre-defying artistic voice. Known for crafting immersive experiences that blend movement, music, and storytelling, Adorlee continues to emerge as one of the most exciting rising choreographers working today.
The season concludes with a world premiere by BalletX’s 2027 Choreographic Fellow, Phoebe Jewitt. Recognized for her inventive voice and fresh artistic perspective, Jewitt represents the next generation of choreographic talent nurtured through BalletX’s ongoing commitment to developing new artists.
Returning to the Main Line
Following the success of recent suburban engagements, BalletX will return to Philadelphia’s Main Line during the 2026-2027 Season with a special performance to be announced.
Engagement Beyond the Stage
BalletX’s commitment to accessibility extends far beyond the theater.
Throughout the season, the company will offer free classes, workshops, pop-up performances, and community events at the BalletX Center for World Premiere Choreography and throughout Philadelphia. These programs create opportunities for people of all ages and experience levels to engage directly with dance, build community, and experience the joy of movement.
BalletX will also continue Dance eXchange, our in-school education initiative serving hundreds of Philadelphia public school students each year through free, curriculum-based dance instruction, live music, and performance opportunities. Together, these programs ensure that dance remains accessible, welcoming, and transformative for communities across the region.
Join Us for the 2026–2027 Season
Season subscriptions go on sale July 15, 2026, with subscription renewals available now. We look forward to sharing another year of groundbreaking artistry, powerful storytelling, and meaningful community connection with audiences across Philadelphia and beyond.
Click here to learn more about the season and subscriptions. For assistance with your 2026-2027 Season subscription, contact the BalletX Box Office at 215-225-5389 x250 or boxoffice@balletx.org.
