TUCSON, AZ – Featuring audience favorites, local collaborations and new works by renowned choreographers, Ballet Tucson’s new season, which runs from September 2025 through April 2026 is truly inspired. Attendees are sure to Be Moved by a season that promises a captivating range of premieres and cherished classics, showcasing a blend of gripping drama, vibrant vignettes, desert-inspired visions, and refined masterpieces.
Artistic Director Margaret Mullin is thrilled with how the season is shaping up. “We take great pride in taking our audience on an adventure through ballet and showing them the incredible range and versatility of our art form. We owe our 2025/2026 Season tagline, Be Moved, to our patrons. Last season I had the pleasure of speaking with many audience members during our performances, and I was inspired by their enthusiasm. They shared how moving it was to witness the strength and artistry of our dancers, and which pieces really moved them. We carried those perspectives into our programming this season, creating a beautiful blend of breathtaking classics and athletic new works. We're also very excited that our new theater spaces for our mixed repertory performances (Temple of Music and Art and Proscenium Theatre) allow us to reach new levels of theatrical excellence. I'm personally excited to have created a world premiere (Desert Voices) that highlights my own love of the Sonoran Desert as a native Tucsonan in collaboration with Tohono Chul Gardens, Tucson Guitar Society, celebrated Flamenco guitarist Misael Barraza-Diaz, and photographer Carlos Chavez. This season really highlights how much Ballet Tucson has grown and it will be one to remember!
SEASON HIGHLIGHTS
· The world premiere of Desert Voices by Artistic Director Margaret Mullin in collaboration with Tohono Chul Gardens, celebrated guitarist Misael Barraza-Diaz, and the Tucson Guitar Society.
· Bacchus, a stunning ballet by famed choreographer Matthew Neenan.
· The breathtaking classical masterpiece La Source by the father of American ballet George Balanchine, and revered choreographer Ron Cunningham’s Bolero.
· Associate Artistic Director and Resident Choreographer Chieko Imada's Himiko, featuring music by Duo Chinoiserie and Erika Burkhart in partnership with the Tucson Desert Song Festival and Tucson Guitar Society.
· The treasured holiday classic The Nutcracker in partnership with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra.
· The Phantom of the Opera, Chieko Imada's theatrical ballet inspired by the 1920s silent film.
Madeleine Kuebler: Principal dancer
Photo by Carlos Chavez
2025/2026 SEASON
Steps Forward
September 12, 2025
One night only: Friday at 7:00pm
The Temple of Music and Art
Loved by both artists and audiences alike, Steps Forward is a choreographers’ showcase that features a batch of all new works, created by current Ballet Tucson company members for their fellow dancers. At the end of this one-night-only collection of premieres, audience members have the opportunity to vote for their favorite, which will receive an encore presentation on the Ballet Tucson mainstage later in the season! This program offers vital career development and transition support for our dancers, allowing them to explore their creativity and their artistic potential as a choreographer. After the show you will hear from the choreographers themselves in a special Q&A moderation by Artistic Director Margaret Mullin.
Magic in the Moonlight
October 31 - November 2, 2025
Friday at 7:00pm, Saturday at 2:00pm and 7:00pm, Sunday at 2:00pm
The Temple of Music and Art
Our season opener promises to dazzle with a powerful array of dynamics, drama, and theatrics. The striking beauty of Paul Gibson’s Piano Dance enchanted audiences in our 2024 Spring Concert and the Ballet Tucson premiere of his Sense of Doubt promises to thrill with a powerful display of vigor and athleticism. This program will also see the return of Resident Choreographer Chieko Imada’s Phantom of the Opera, inspired by both the 1910 Leroux novel and the 1925 silent film. This well-known tale of murder and mayhem not only includes the signature falling chandelier and haunting boat ride, but also features students of The School of Ballet Tucson in a classroom scene straight out of one of Edgar Degas’ famous ballerina paintings. The evening is rounded out by two classic works — Clair de Lune Pas de Deux, choreographed by Artistic Director Margaret Mullin in 2024 in collaboration with the Tucson Pops Orchestra, and the virtuoso Black Swan Pas de Deux from the ever-timeless ballet Swan Lake, where the ballerina’s extraordinary feat of thirty-two fouettés promises to amaze.
The NUTCRACKER
In partnership with Tucson Symphony Orchestra
December 19 - 21, 2025
Friday at 7:00pm, Saturday at 1:00pm and 6:00pm, Sunday at 1:00pm and 6:00pm Linda Ronstadt Music Hall
This beloved holiday classic is all Tucson, bringing together Tucson’s only professional ballet company with Tucson’s very own orchestra! As we follow Clara on her magical journey to the Land of the Sweets, Ballet Tucson’s production of The Nutcracker is brought to life in partnership with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, and has become a treasured local tradition to celebrate the season.
Audition Details
August 23rd, 2025
Location: The School of Ballet Tucson, 200 S. Tucson Blvd.
𝗣𝗿𝗲-𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱
Your exact audition time will be provided to you when you register.
A completed Audition Form and a $100 Performance Fee are required to participate.
For more information and to register, call (520) 623-3373 or email school@ballettucson.org
Students m𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘢𝘵 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘵 6 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘨𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘦.
Nutcracker Dancers
Photo by Carlos Chavez
Desert Voices
February 27 - March 1, 2026
Friday at 7:00pm, Saturday at 2:00pm and 7:00pm, Sunday at 2:00pm
The Temple of Music and Art
Ballet Tucson continues their longtime partnership with the Tucson Desert Song Festival and Tucson Guitar Society with the highly anticipated return of Chieko Imada’s Himiko. This audience favorite work offers a beautiful blend of ballet and traditional Japanese dance as a tribute to the human spirit, honor, and resilience, featuring live music performed by celebrated ensemble Duo Chinoiserie. Tucson audiences have marveled at Kiyon Ross’ dynamic contributions to our rapidly expanding repertoire and Un-A’frayed Edges, a “colorful and fantastical” work that plays with speed, angles, and formations will be his fifth contribution to Ballet Tucson. Finally, the program will include a world premiere by Tucson native Margaret Mullin, Desert Dweller, created in collaboration with Tohono Chul Gardens. Filled with vivid projections of striking botanicals captured by photographer Carlos Chavez and set to the music of renowned guitarist Misael Barraza-Diaz, this work will serve as a celebration of the natural beauty of this region we all call home.
Ballet in Bloom
April 17-19, 2026
Friday at 7:00pm, Saturday at 2:00pm and 7:00pm, Sunday at 2:00pm
Proscenium Theatre, Pima Community College Center for the Arts
The final program of the season is a bouquet of sumptuous sophistication, playful choreography, and flair. Legendary choreographer George Balanchine’s La Source, once described as “pink champagne,” features both brilliant ensemble work and virtuosic pas de deux. Premiering at the Pacific Northwest Ballet in 2019, Bacchus is Ballet Tucson’s first work by famed choreographer Matthew Neenan, who the New York Times has called, “one of America’s best dance poets.” Set to the spirited music of Oliver Davis, Bacchus is a lively romp that exemplifies the Roman god of wine himself. Rounding out the program, we celebrate the legacy of American choreographer Ron Cunningham with the Ballet Tucson premiere of his critically acclaimed Bolero. Intriguing, provocative and bold, this striking ballet set to Maurice Ravel’s classic score has long been a Sacramento Ballet audience favorite and promises to offer a thrilling conclusion to our 2025/2026 Season.
Edward Oyarce-Solomon: Principal dancer
Photo by Carlos Chavez
SUBSCRIPTION & TICKET INFORMATION
All tickets and subscriptions are now on sale. A Classic Subscription includes all five season performances including The Nutcracker at the rate of $260 and Mixed Rep Subscription includes four performances (minus The Nutcracker) at the rate of $188. Both Season Subscription options include special discounts, concierge service and other exclusive benefits: https://ballettucson.org/season-subscription/
Tickets for The Nutcracker in partnership with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra can only be purchased from the Tucson Convention Center in-person at their box office or online via Ticketmaster. Tickets to all other Ballet Tucson performances can be purchased at .ballettucson.org. Additional photos and assets are available upon request. All programming is subject to change.
ABOUT BALLET TUCSON
Ballet Tucson was established in 1986 by Mary Beth Cabana to create a world-class professional ballet company and school in Southern Arizona. In the spring of 2022, Margaret Mullin, a Tucson native, was named Artistic Director alongside Chieko Imada, Ballet Tucson’s Associate Artistic Director and Resident Choreographer.
Ballet Tucson provides local and international artistry of the highest caliber presenting five professional performances annually which include beloved classics like The Nutcracker in partnership with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra and innovative works by acclaimed choreographers like Justin Peck, George Balanchine and Christopher Wheeldon.
The School of Ballet Tucson provides the opportunity for students of all ages to receive the highest caliber of dance training from accomplished instructors while developing a deep love for the art form and a means for greater self-expression.
As Southern Arizona’s only professional ballet company, Ballet Tucson is committed to building community around the art of dance through outreach and education initiatives. This includes free pop-up performances, the Best Foot Forward program (dance education classes in Title 1 schools), the Ballet Banter lecture series and KidzTIX, which provides free performance tickets to students of Title 1 schools throughout Tucson. Ballet Tucson Studios are located at 200 S Tucson Blvd. For additional information on show and studio schedules and to purchase tickets visit https://ballettucson.org/ or call 520-903-1445.
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