A beloved performing arts establishment for over 70 years, led by Interim Inventive Director Samantha Dunster with Inventive Affiliate Gillian Murphy and Artist in Residence Ethan Stiefel, American Repertory Ballet (ARB) proclaims a 2025/26 season that elevates its traditional repertoire alongside thrilling new works, persevering with to strengthen the corporate’s distinctive voice inside the group.
A founding resident firm of the state-of-the-art New Brunswick Performing Arts Heart (NBPAC), American Repertory Ballet kicks the season off at its house venue with the return of Stiefel and Johan Kobborg’s lauded Giselle in October 2025, adopted by a fairytale premiere of Cinderella in March 2026, and Americana, a combined invoice of World Premieres and celebrated works in Could 2026. Moreover, ARB will current a night of moonlit ballets on the Union County Performing Arts Heart’s Pageant of the Moon in October 2025, and ARB’s celebrated touring manufacturing of The Nutcracker will return for the vacation season in November and December 2025 at venues all through New Jersey.
“Will probably be a ‘season of seasons’ as ARB leans right into a haunting October, magical household enjoyable throughout the holidays, fairytale romance simply after Valentine’s Day, and Americana fanfare to have fun the nation’s 250th anniversary,” says Govt Director Julie Diana Hench. “We invite audiences of all ages to affix us on the theater and make reminiscences collectively, and to expertise the transformative energy of the performing arts.”
American Repertory Ballet’s 2025/26 season opens this October with the extremely anticipated return of Ethan Stiefel and Johan Kobborg’s acclaimed adaptation of Giselle. A haunting story of affection, betrayal, and the supernatural, Giselle tells the story of a younger girl who dies of a damaged coronary heart—solely to forgive her beloved from past the grave. That includes emotionally highly effective and technically beautiful performances, this shifting manufacturing had its world premiere on the Royal New Zealand Ballet in 2012 and has since captivated audiences all over the world, together with at its ARB Firm Premiere at NBPAC in 2023.
Expertise dance like by no means earlier than on the Pageant of The Moon, offered by Union County Performing Artwork Heart (UCPAC). On Friday, October 17, 2025 at 7:00PM, ARB will carry out the long-lasting second act of Swan Lake and different works beneath “Museum of the Moon,” a luminous, 23-ft. diameter sculpture created by UK artist Luke Jerram, which can be suspended in mid-air over the Orchestra part at UCPAC’s Important Stage.
Set in opposition to Tchaikovsky’s beautiful rating, Swan Lake transports audiences into the mesmerizing world of Odette, the swan princess, as she reveals her true kind to Prince Siegfried. From the well-known “Dance of the Cygnets” pas de quatre to the famend romantic pas de deux, this fairytale scene guarantees to go away audiences of all ages spellbound.
Additionally featured can be Ethan Stiefel’s if, a poignant solo that traces the contours of affection and loss set to “If I May Solely Fly” by American singer-songwriter and poet Blaze Foley; and Lar Lubovitch’s One thing About Night time, a mesmerizing dreamlike quintet set to the ethereal voices of Franz Schubert’s male choral songs. ARB is worked up to share these impassioned and evocative works with audiences at UCPAC.
A practice for sixty years, American Repertory Ballet’s The Nutcracker is without doubt one of the longest repeatedly working productions within the nation and an ideal vacation deal with for all ages. With thrilling choreography set to Tchaikovsky’s magnificent rating, ARB’s skilled firm can be joined by college students from Princeton Ballet Faculty to inform the story of Clara, a younger lady who receives a magical Christmas present and embarks on an enchanted journey. Performances will happen from Friday, November 28 by Sunday, December 21, 2025 in Princeton, Purple Financial institution, and New Brunswick.
Cinderella is the timeless story of a younger girl who, regardless of life’s hardships, discovers hope, love, and a magical future. Be a part of ARB for a fascinating journey as Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother transforms her destiny, a Prince wins her coronary heart, and braveness triumphs over cruelty. With choreography by Samantha Dunster, magical units and costumes, a world roster {of professional} artists, and particular visitors from Princeton Ballet Faculty, don’t miss this spellbinding manufacturing – an ideal match for the entire household!
American Repertory Ballet’s 2025/26 season finale at NBPAC will shine brilliant with Americana — a vibrant mixed-repertoire efficiency that celebrates the spirit of our nation in honor of its 250th anniversary. This dynamic program options two iconic works by George Balanchine – Tschaikovsky Pas de Deux and an excerpt from Stars and Stripes, with music by John Philip Sousa. Plus, two World Premieres by ARB Firm Dancer Michelle Quiner and ARB’s acclaimed Artist in Residence, Ethan Stiefel, which can have audiences leaping to their toes.
For full particulars and tickets for American Repertory Ballet’s 2025/26 season, go to arballet.org.
