Tucson, AZ--- Ballet Tucson's 2026/2027 Season is one that Artistic Director Margaret Mullin has been dreaming about for a long time. In celebration of the organization's 40th anniversary — four decades of artistry, community, and the transformative power of dance in Southern Arizona — she announces the new season in her own words:
"It is an honor to celebrate Ballet Tucson’s 40th anniversary and my fifth season as Artistic Director. Since beginning here as a student in 1998, Ballet Tucson has shaped my lifelong love of dance and commitment to artistic excellence. I am deeply grateful to our Tucson community for its continued support. Together, we have expanded our work, reached new audiences, and strengthened Ballet Tucson’s future. This anniversary season celebrates all we have built — and all that is still to come".
The 2026-27 season embraces both the richness of Ballet Tucson's legacy. Beloved treasures return, including Chieko Imada's luminous Spirit Garden and The Nutcracker in partnership with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra. Three-time Tony Award winner Justin Peck's brilliant Debonair, George Balanchine's Emeralds, and Andrea Schermoly's Appalachian Spring make their Ballet Tucson premieres. Chieko Imada's world premiere of Carmen created in collaboration with the Tucson Desert Song Festival, Musician/Educator Khris Dodge, and Southwest artist Lawrence Lee is sure to thrill along with a world premiere from one of Ballet Tucson's own artists, corps de ballet dancer Brooke Amundrud, whose artistry and choreographic voice embody the bright future of this company
Season Subscriptions are on sale now and include exclusive discounts and benefits. Single and group sale tickets on sale August 1. To purchase, call 520.903.1445, email tickets@ballettucson,org or visit ballettucson.org
Ballet Tucson 2026-27 Season
Debonair- Dancers: Danielle Corte & Hunter Solomon
Spirit Garden
Steps Forward
Berger Performing Arts Center
Friday, September 11, 2026, 7:00pm
Beloved by both artists and audiences, Steps Forward is Ballet Tucson’s choreographers’ showcase, featuring an exciting collection of original works created by current company members for their fellow dancers. In this one-night-only program of premieres, audience members are invited to vote for their favorite piece, with the winning work earning an encore performance on the Ballet Tucson mainstage later in the season.
More than a performance, Steps Forward serves as an important artistic incubator, providing dancers with invaluable opportunities for career development, creative exploration, and the chance to cultivate their voices as emerging choreographers. Following the performance, audiences are invited to stay for a special Q&A with the choreographers, moderated by Artistic Director Margaret Mullin.
Spirit Garden and Other Works
Temple of Music and Art
Friday, October 23, 2026, 7:00pm
Saturday, October 24, 2026, 2:00pm
Saturday, October 24, 2026, 7:00pm
Sunday, October 25, 2026, 2:00pm
Ballet Tucson returns to the mainstage this fall with four unique works honoring legacy and the culture of our region. Our artistic leaders Chieko Imada, Margaret Mullin, and Brik Middlekauff join forces to create a World Premiere celebrating our official school and company’s 40 years of excellence in classical ballet. The audience favorite work from our Steps Forward emerging choreographer’s showcase receives an encore presentation, highlighting the creative talent of Ballet Tucson’s dancers. Tucson audiences have been captivated by the choreography of Kiyon Ross each season since 2022, and his [NO HOLDS] barre'd, a vibrant tutu ballet with a twist is back by popular demand. The highly anticipated return of Chieko Imada’s Spirit Garden will inspire audiences once again, as a beautiful ballet tribute to Día de los Muertos featuring artwork by notable Southwest artist Lawrence Lee and music by the renowned Tucson band Calexico and guitarist Misael Barraza-Diaz.
The Nutcracker in partnership with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra
Linda Ronstadt Music Hall
Friday, December 18, 2026, 7:00pm
Saturday, December 19, 2026, 1:00pm
Saturday, December 19, 2026, 6:00pm
Sunday, December 20, 2026, 1:00pm
Sunday, December 20, 2026, 6:00pm
A world of wonder awaits you at Ballet Tucson’s The Nutcracker in partnership with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra! Treat your loved ones to Tucson’s favorite holiday tradition. This award-winning production brings the enchanting story of The Nutcracker to life with sensational dancing, lavish sets and costumes, and Tchaikovsky’s magnificent score performed by the Tucson Symphony Orchestra’s world-class musicians.
Carmen and Other Works
Temple of Music and Art
Friday, February 26, 2027,7:00pm
Saturday, February 27, 2027, 2:00pm
Saturday, February 27, 2027, 7:00pm
Sunday, February 28, 2027, 2:00pm
This dazzling program features three exciting Ballet Tucson premieres. Legendary choreographer George Balanchine’s iconic ballet Emeralds, set to music by Gabriel Fauré, sparkles and brings to life the elegance and poetry of French Romantic ballet. An homage to the grace, glamour, and vivacity of Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire, Debonair by three-time Tony Award winning choreographer Justin Peck shines with sleek musicality, sharp footwork, and playful sophistication. Fiery, passionate and dramatic, the world premiere of Carmen by Ballet Tucson Associate Artistic Director and Resident Choreographer Chieko Imada comes to life in a thrilling partnership with the Tucson Desert Song Festival, featuring new artwork by Southwest artist Lawrence Lee and live music with a modern touch by Khris Dodge.
Appalachian Spring and Other Works
Temple of Music and Art
Friday, April 9, 2027, 7:00pm
Saturday, April 10, 2027, 2:00pm
Saturday, April 10, 2027, 7:00pm
Sunday, April 11, 2027, 2:00pm
This program features a captivating blend of classical and contemporary works that showcases the range of our art form and Ballet Tucson’s artists. Margaret Mullin’s Sobre las Olas, originally choreographed for the Mexican Independence Day Classical Music Concert, returns with flair and beauty. The virtuosic Don Quixote Grand Pas de Deux, choreographed by Chieko Imada, is a celebratory display of technical brilliance, including Kitri’s signature 32 fouetté turns! Ballet Tucson dancer Brooke Amundrud has been the audience favorite winner of our Steps Forward choreographers showcase three times and now brings her unique artistic voice to our repertoire with the world premiere of Interim, an exploration of connection in a modern world. Internationally renowned choreographer Andrea Schermoly’s third contribution to our repertoire, Appalachian Spring, set to the iconic score by American composer Aaron Copeland, brings a powerful conclusion to our 40th anniversary season.
ABOUT BALLET TUCSON
Ballet Tucson was established in 1986 as 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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