Ballet Arizona is proud to announce its 38th season, which will feature an all-new world premiere production by artistic director, Ib Andersen, the reprisal of a few recent blockbusters, and the return of many audience favorites. The Valley’s only professional ballet company promises to excite and inspire audiences with a blend of classical and contemporary ballets during the upcoming 2023-2024 season.

“This is a season you won’t want to miss,” said Andersen. “Our 2023-2024 season promises to inspire, entertain, and showcase the growing artistic excellence Ballet Arizona has to offer. We cannot wait for you to see what we have in store for you this season.”

The new season will kick off with Ballet Arizona’s annual Ballet Under the Stars presented by the Diane and Bruce Halle Foundation in September of 2023. This beloved tradition features free performances across the Valley that allow Arizona communities to enjoy dance in a unique outdoor setting complete with a stage, lighting, costumes, and beautiful Arizona weather. More information regarding these performances will be announced on Ballet Arizona’s website this summer.

Back by popular demand, Juan Gabriel returns to Symphony Hall on Oct. 26 through 29, 2023. This captivating performance celebrates the music and memory of late musical icon, Juan Gabriel. Following its world premiere in May of 2022, Andersen will once again bring Juan Gabriel’s acclaimed performance at the Palacio de Bellas Artes to life in a masterpiece ballet that is sure to inspire audience members across the entire state of Arizona. Juan Gabriel is generously produced by Jacquie and Bennett Dorrance.

Rejoicing in the spirit of the holidays, Ballet Arizona’s famous performance of The Nutcracker will take place Dec. 8 through 24, 2023, in Symphony Hall. Live music from The Phoenix Symphony will help bring the enchantment and splendor of The Nutcracker to life, alongside Andersen’s dazzling choreography. Ballet Arizona’s production has been named “among the top three in the country” by The New York Times.

Ballet Arizona is bringing the big screen to the main stage at Symphony Hall with its brand-new world premiere production from Feb. 15 through 18, 2024. With the help of The Phoenix Symphony, Andersen will take audiences on a cinematic journey through some of the biggest films of all time with a variety of innovative works during Moving Movies.

Featuring three diverse works from some of the most masterful choreographers of our time, Ballet Arizona’s Contemporary Moves program returns to Orpheum Theatre from March 28 through 31, 2024. This program will feature the return of Andersen’s vivacious Rio, the Arizona Premiere of Paul Taylor’s Piazzolla Caldera, and a new work by resident choreographer, Nayon Iovino.

The All Balanchine program with The Phoenix Symphony will present three ballets by renowned choreographer George Balanchine and staged by Andersen, who is one of a handful of artists worldwide authorized by The Balanchine Trust to stage the late choreographer’s masterpieces. The lineup includes performances such as La Valse, which will revisit the Arizona stage for the first time since 2011, Divertimento No. 15 and Symphony In Three Movements from May 2 through 5, 2024 at Symphony Hall.

Ballet Arizona will conclude the 2023-2024 season with The Four Seasons during its annual tradition of ‘An Evening at Desert Botanical Garden’ from May 15 through June 1, 2024. Surrounded by the matchless Desert Botanical Garden landscape with the setting sun as a backdrop, Andersen will take audiences through a powerful journey during the spring, summer, fall, and winter seasons.

Ballet Arizona would like to thank its Opening Night Series sponsor F. Francis & Dionne Najafi of Pivotal Foundation.

BALLET ARIZONA’S 2023-2024 SEASON

BALLET UNDER THE STARS
Presented by the Diane & Bruce Halle Foundation
September of 2023

Ballet Under the Stars promises an evening of fun suitable for the entire family. Guests bring chairs, blankets, and picnics to experience the beauty of dance in outdoor parks across the county. The evening features a fully-staged live performance by the professional company dancers of Ballet Arizona, including several exciting contemporary and classical ballet excerpts. The dates and locations of these free performances will be announced in summer of 2023.

JUAN GABRIEL
Produced by Jacquie and Bennett Dorrance
Oct. 26-29, 2023
Symphony Hall
Choreography: Ib Andersen

Back by popular demand, Ib Andersen's unforgettable production of Juan Gabriel returns to Symphony Hall. Experience something new in an evening that will move you. Step back in time to the Mexican singer songwriter’s 1990 concert at Bellas Artes, filled with vibrant costumes, dynamic choreography, and the passionate music of Juan Gabriel.

THE NUTCRACKER
December 8-24, 2023
With The Phoenix Symphony at Symphony Hall
Choreography: Ib Andersen
Music: Peter Ilyitch Tchaikovsky

Ballet Arizona returns to Symphony Hall in grand fashion with this holiday classic. Celebrate the joy and wonder of the season with Ib Andersen’s The Nutcracker as Tchaikovsky’s cherished score is masterfully performed by The Phoenix Symphony. Follow Clara’s wintry adventures as she battles mischievous mice and charms the Sugar Plum Fairy. Whether this is your first Nutcracker or your 101st, this heartwarming tradition never fails to enchant and draw smiles from all!

MOVING MOVIES
Feb. 15-18, 2024
With The Phoenix Symphony at Symphony Hall
Choreography: Ib Andersen

Take a tour through the best of cinema in an evening of innovative works by Artistic Director Ib Andersen. This world premiere will take you on a journey through the movies, featuring powerful music and stunning visuals that will entertain your senses. Let Ballet Arizona delight and entertain you with colorful costumes, live music, and thrilling choreography in an unforgettable experience that you will not want to miss.

CONTEMPORARY MOVES
March 28-31, 2024
Orpheum Theatre
Choreography: Ib Andersen, Nayon Iovino, and Paul Taylor

Satisfy your craving for the new and unexpected at Contemporary Moves. Ballet Arizona presents an evening of daring works by Ib Andersen, Paul Taylor, and Nayon Iovino. Don’t miss the return of Artistic Director’s Ib Andersen’s vivacious Rio, set to music by Philip Glass and inspired by Brazilian culture through the dynamism of samba. Experience the Arizona Premiere of Paul Taylor’s Piazzolla Caldera: a sensual exposé of tango reinterpreted and reimagined with modern dance. Witness Resident Choreographer Nayon Iovino’s newest work, which will finish off this evening of exquisite dancing.

ALL BALANCHINE
Produced in part by Bob Benson
May 2-5, 2024
With The Phoenix Symphony at Symphony Hall
Choreography: George Balanchine

All Balanchine will present three ballets by the Father of American Ballet, George Balanchine. Ib Andersen is one of a handful of artists worldwide entrusted by the Balanchine Trust to stage these masterpieces.

Divertimento No. 15
Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Set to “[Mozart’s] finest divertimento ever written,” Divertimento No. 15 is a whirlwind of dynamic choreography, featuring an abstract series of solos, duos and choruses that shows of the company’s sterling technique.

La Valse
Music by Maurice Ravel
Experience the grandeur of La Valse, often described as “a choreographic poem.” Featuring the moody and mysterious score by Ravel, let Ballet Arizona waltz you through one of Balanchine’s most sumptuous works.

Symphony In Three Movements
Music by Igor Stravinsky
Symphony in Three Movements makes its return to the Symphony Hall stage. Listen to Stravinsky’s bold, dynamic score, paired with breathtakingly angular, athletic choreography, for a complex and unmatched experience.

THE FOUR SEASONS
May 15 – June 1, 2024
Desert Botanical Garden
Tuesday through Saturdays, 8pm nightly
Choreography: Ib Andersen

The Four Seasons makes its triumphant return to An Evening at Desert Botanical Garden. Set to Vivaldi’s iconic score, take a journey in movement through spring, summer, fall, and winter, featuring costumes designed and hand painted by Ib Andersen, with the backdrop of the matchless desert landscape and the setting sun.

Ballet Arizona

Ballet Arizona is dedicated to preserving and celebrating classical dance while creating new and innovative works. Under the artistic direction of internationally acclaimed choreographer Ib Andersen – a former Principal Dancer with The New York City Ballet and The Royal Danish Ballet – Ballet Arizona follows his lead to the future of dance in Arizona. The School of Ballet Arizona promotes access to the art form of ballet through dance education, with a focus on excellence in the form, directing each student to a life-long love of dance. Following this vision, Ballet Arizona connects to more than 35,000 children and families every year through its free and low-cost outreach programs. For more information, visit balletaz.org.