Announcing BalletMet’s 2026/27 Season
Each one of the shows featured in our 49th season offers us a chance to explore the icons of yesterday, today, and tomorrow. From the stories that we think we know to the ones that haven’t been told yet, we’re gonna experience them together.
Future Icons: A BalletMet Choreographic Project
SEPTEMBER 10 – 12
BalletMet is proud to present a new choreographic project dedicated to helping new voices create ambitious, thought-provoking, and timely ballets. Three choreographers, selected through a competitive international process, will travel to Columbus and create new works on BalletMet’s extraordinary company of dancers. The result is an evening of visionary world premieres offering audiences an unfiltered look at where ballet is headed.
Marilyn
OCTOBER 16 – 24
Step into the dazzling world of Hollywood’s golden age with Marilyn, a brand-new ballet that celebrates the life and legacy of Marilyn Monroe. This spellbinding production weaves together the glitz and glamour of her stardom with the vulnerability and strength of the woman behind the icon. Featuring an original score by Shannon Rugani and stunning choreography from Dani Rowe, Marilyn takes audiences on an emotional journey through the highs and lows of life lived in the spotlight. This must-see performance pays tribute to one of the most enduring legends of the 20th century. This production is a collaboration between BalletMet, Tulsa Ballet and Oregon Ballet Theatre.
The Nutcracker
December 10 – 27
Every holiday season, BalletMet transforms the stage into a world of magic, wonder, and breathtaking dance with its beloved production of The Nutcracker. This cherished tradition captivates audiences of all ages with stunning choreography, lavish costumes, and the kind of enchantment that can only be found in the theater. Whether it’s your first time or your thirtieth, The Nutcracker is the magic of the season, brought to life.
And who can forget My First Nutcracker? This season, we are bringing back two options to choose from to experience this sensory-friendly version of The Nutcracker.
Swan Lake
February 19 – 21
The most iconic ballet ever created returns in a World Premiere by Remi Wörtmeyer. This breathtaking new production honors the timeless grandeur of Tchaikovsky’s magnificent score — performed live by the Columbus Symphony — while reimagining this legendary fairy tale for a new generation. The eternal story of Odette, a princess under a sorcerer’s spell, destined to spend her days as a swan and her nights longing for the love that could set her free, unfolds with stunning artistry on the Ohio Theatre stage. This production is a collaboration between BalletMet and Atlanta Ballet.
For the Love of Dance 2.0
APRIL 2 – 10
Bold, electric, and utterly alive, these three extraordinary works showcase the thrilling range of contemporary ballet. William Forsythe’s In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated, one of the most groundbreaking and influential ballets of the last century, makes its long-awaited Columbus premiere, arriving with the ferocious athleticism and raw power that have made it a landmark of the modern ballet legacy. Remi Wörtmeyer returns with Passing Shadows, a contemporary ballet inspired by Gustav Kimt’s painting “The Kiss” and set to music by Rachmaninov. Rounding out the evening, choreographer Reed Luplau contributes an exciting new work that adds yet another bold and distinctive voice to this dynamic program. Together, these three works make this an unmissable celebration of where ballet has been, where it stands today, and where it dares to go next.
My First Sleeping Beauty
APRIL 17 – 18
Once upon a time, a princess fell into an enchanted sleep… Join BalletMet for a one-hour adventure designed for our youngest fans and danced by BalletMet 2 and our academy students! With a friendly narrator to guide the way, little ones will meet Princess Aurora, playful fairies, and a dashing prince — all set to Tchaikovsky’s magical music. Like My First Nutcracker, this is a sensory-friendly experience, the house lights stay softly lit, sound levels are gentle, and a quiet space is available anytime. Perfect for ages 3 and up, it is a spellbinding introduction to the magic of live performance, shared together. Come and dream with us.
CARMEN.maquia
MAY 14 – 22
She is one of the most seductive, defiant, and unforgettable characters in all of storytelling. Spanish sensation Gustavo Ramirez Sansano brings his electrifying choreographic vision to CARMEN.maquia, an innovative and unexpected take on Bizet’s famous opera that burns with passion, danger, and desire. Sansano shatters the conventions of the classic tale, infusing it with a bold contemporary energy that is as visceral as it is visually stunning, while never losing sight of the raw, rebellious spirit that has made CARMEN an enduring icon for nearly two centuries. Fierce, provocative, and impossible to ignore, this is a masterwork of movement that reminds us why this story continues to captivate the world.
Be the first to reserve your tickets —subscriptions are available starting May 1st. Tickets to The Nutcracker go on sale July 1st for 50% during Christmas in July (July 1st-31st). Individual tickets to remaining shows will go on sale August 1st. Sign up for our email list to be the first to know!
Bringing these new works and performances to Columbus next season is all thanks to our supporters and donors. If a donation is within your means, please consider continuing your support of BalletMet by giving today!
Dancers Katelyn Yang, Sophie Miklosovic, Grace-Anne Powers, Vincent Van Harris, Claire Wessells, Iris Dávila
Photos Jennifer Zmuda