Event Type: Performance

American Repertory Ballet (ARB) presents Fairy Rhymes, a delightful production for the whole family! With choreography by Artistic Director Samantha Dunster and an original score by Kermit Poling, join the 3 Little Kittens as they travel through Nursery Rhymes and Fairy Tales to find their lost mittens. These cute furry friends find themselves in beautiful palaces, deep into forests, climbing hills, and even in other people’s homes! Along the way, they meet classic characters such as Jack and Jill and the Old Lady in the Shoe, as well as beloved personalities such as Cinderella, Prince Charming, Peter Pan, Tinkerbell, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. With each step they take, and with help from all the different people they meet, the Kittens gradually find their mittens and make amazing friends along the way. Will the Kittens also get their pie? Come on this magical journey to find out!

Kittens & Mittens – Saturday, March 13, 2027 at 10 AM

What would it be like to spend a day as a playful kitten? For a $20 add-on to your performance ticket purchase, join us on the 2nd floor of NBPAC before Fairy Rhymes for a whimsical pre-show adventure. Come dressed as a kitten and step into the story as you learn all about the characters you will meet in the ballet, create your very own kitten mitten with dancers from the cast, and, if you can stay out of kitten mischief, earn a delicious slice of pie before the curtain rises. It’s the purrfect way to begin your Fairy Rhymes adventure!

American Repertory Ballet NBPAC Subscription Series

Broaden your experience – and save! – with American Repertory Ballet’s NBPAC Subscription Series. Discounts will be unlocked upon purchase. Choose any number of tickets for each program (Swan Lake, Creations Vol. 1, Fairy Rhymes, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream), matinee or evening performances, and receive the following offers:

Any 2 Programs – 10% Discount

Any 3 Programs – 15% Discount

All 4 Programs – 20% Discount

All tickets must be added to your cart simultaneously at point of purchase to redeem. No refunds or returns. Exchanges can be accepted within 72 hour notice of performance. Tickets for The Nutcracker, and all other performances outside of NBPAC, are sold separately. For any questions, please reach out to the NBPAC Box Office at [email protected] or 732-745-8000.

American Repertory Ballet launches Creations Vol. 1, a new mixed program featuring three exciting and unique works. Yue Yin’s Ripple, an exploration of intimacy and longing, highlights her distinct style of contemporary movement infused with Chinese classical and folk dance. The program also features Concerto Françaix, a spirited ballet most recently seen at the 2026 Princeton Festival, choreographed by former New York City Ballet principal dancer Charles Askegard, and set to the lively Piano Concerto by French composer Jean Françaix. ARB’s esteemed Artist in Residence, Ethan Stiefel, will then showcase his signature style with a World Premiere ballet guaranteed to entertain audiences. 

Beyond Ballet – Saturday, March 13, 2027, 1:30 PM to 3 PM
Discover the limitless possibilities of movement beyond classical ballet. Dancers ages 13 and up are invited to participate in an inspiring contemporary master class. Explore a different side of dance as you experiment with creativity, musicality, and expressive movement. Experience how contemporary choreography is developed and refined while expanding your artistry in a dynamic studio environment.  Following the class, enjoy an artist Q&A and learn more about the versatility required to succeed in today’s dance world.

American Repertory Ballet NBPAC Subscription Series

Broaden your experience – and save! – with American Repertory Ballet’s NBPAC Subscription Series. Discounts will be unlocked upon purchase. Choose any number of tickets for each program (Swan Lake, Creations Vol. 1, Fairy Rhymes, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream), matinee or evening performances, and receive the following offers:

Any 2 Programs – 10% Discount

Any 3 Programs – 15% Discount

All 4 Programs – 20% Discount

All tickets must be added to your cart simultaneously at point of purchase to redeem. No refunds or returns. Exchanges can be accepted within 72 hour notice of performance. Tickets for The Nutcracker, and all other performances outside of NBPAC, are sold separately. For any questions, please reach out to the NBPAC Box Office at [email protected] or 732-745-8000.

Back by popular demand! A Midsummer Night’s Dream returns to NBPAC, choreographed by ARB’s acclaimed Artist in Residence – Ethan Stiefel. Set to Felix Mendelssohn’s iconic score with additional music written for film by Erich Wolfgang Korngold, this enchanting production transports audiences to a fantastical forest filled with fairies, elves, mischief, romance, and joy. Watch as love is mistaken and misplaced, humans are transformed into animals, and mystical creatures weave a delightful world of wonder. A perfect outing for audiences of all ages, experience Shakespeare’s classic comical tale brought to life through the magic of ballet.

“Stiefel’s playful concoction [is] highly entertaining…the choreography consistently supports the drama.”

– Lisa Jo Sagolla, U.S. 1

American Repertory Ballet NBPAC Subscription Series

Broaden your experience – and save! – with American Repertory Ballet’s NBPAC Subscription Series. Discounts will be unlocked upon purchase. Choose any number of tickets for each program (Swan Lake, Creations Vol. 1, Fairy Rhymes, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream), matinee or evening performances, and receive the following offers:

Any 2 Programs – 10% Discount

Any 3 Programs – 15% Discount

All 4 Programs – 20% Discount

All tickets must be added to your cart simultaneously at point of purchase to redeem. No refunds or returns. Exchanges can be accepted within 72 hour notice of performance. Tickets for The Nutcracker, and all other performances outside of NBPAC, are sold separately. For any questions, please reach out to the NBPAC Box Office at [email protected] or 732-745-8000.

Experience the timeless beauty of Swan Lake, a classic story ballet with breathtaking choreography, unforgettable music, and incredible dancing that will transport you to an enchanted world. Set to Tchaikovsky’s iconic score, Swan Lake tells the tale of Odette, a princess trapped by an evil curse to live her life as a swan. Drama unfolds when Prince Siegfried pursues Odette in an attempt to win her love and break the spell. This fairytale about the transformative power of love and forgiveness has captivated audiences for centuries. Whether you’re discovering ballet for the first time or returning to see this beloved favorite, ARB’s stunning production is one you won’t want to miss.

Audio description will be available at the Saturday, October 24th 2PM performance, supported in-part by funding through the NJEDA’s A.R.T. – Phase II Grant Program.

Beyond the Wings – Saturday, October 24, 2026, 4 PM to 5:30 PM

If you are 13 or older and are curious about the history of traditional choreography, this event is for you. Spend an inspiring afternoon with Master Class teachers, Alexei and Natalie Charov, as they guide you on a journey through the vibrant national dances featured in Act 2 of ARB’s Swan Lake. Whether you are an experienced dancer or have never stepped into a ballet studio, Alexei and Natalie will introduce the distinctive movements and traditions behind the Hungarian Czardas, Spanish, Neapolitan and Russian dances.  As you learn the iconic steps and discover the unique style and spirit of each dance, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation and understanding of the cultural influences that are represented on stage. Supported in-part by funding through the NJEDA’s A.R.T. – Phase II Grant Program.

Little Swans and Brave Princes – Sunday, October 25, 2026 at 1 PM

For a $20 per-ticket add-on, young audience members and their families are invited to step into the enchanting world of Swan Lake before the curtain rises.  Beginning at 1:00pm on the 2nd Floor of NBPAC, children will discover the timeless tale of the Swan Princess and her Prince through engaging storytelling and ballet movements inspired by Tchaikovsky’s unforgettable score; meet artists from the performance; and see beautiful costumes and pointe shoes up close. This interactive pre-performance experience is the perfect introduction to the magic of ballet and a memorable way for children to connect with the story before seeing it come to life onstage. Supported in-part by funding through the NJEDA’s A.R.T. – Phase II Grant Program.

American Repertory Ballet NBPAC Subscription Series

Broaden your experience – and save! – with American Repertory Ballet’s NBPAC Subscription Series. Discounts will be unlocked upon purchase. Choose any number of tickets for each program (Swan Lake, Creations Vol. 1, Fairy Rhymes, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream), matinee or evening performances, and receive the following offers:

Any 2 Programs – 10% Discount

Any 3 Programs – 15% Discount

All 4 Programs – 20% Discount

All tickets must be added to your cart simultaneously at point of purchase to redeem. No refunds or returns. Exchanges can be accepted within 72 hour notice of performance. Tickets for The Nutcracker, and all other performances outside of NBPAC, are sold separately. For any questions, please reach out to the NBPAC Box Office at [email protected] or 732-745-8000.

Meredith Rainey began dancing at 15 in his hometown of Fort Lauderdale.  In 1985, he became the first African American dancer of the Milwaukee Ballet.  In 1987, he was invited to join the newly formed Pennsylvania-Milwaukee Ballet, when the collaboration ended, he remained with the Pennsylvania Ballet for 17 years—much of that time as a soloist—until his retirement in 2006. Among other awards and fellowships, Rainey has been the recipient of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts Fellowship (1995 & 2002), the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation Artist as Catalyst Grant (2001), the Independence Foundation Fellowship in the Arts (2002), a finalist for the Pew Fellowship in the Arts (2003), and a Pew Center for Arts and Heritage Grant (2010). He has been commissioned to create works for Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet, BalletX, Delaware Ballet, Hubbard Street 2, National Ballet De Cali, Danse4Nia Repertory Ensemble, and institutions such as The University of the Arts, Drexel University, Stockton University, Georgian Court University, Goucher College, Swarthmore College, and Bryn Mawr College. His work has been performed in North and South America and throughout Spain. In 2009, Rainey founded and directed Carbon Dance Theatre, a contemporary ballet company in Philadelphia. In 2014 after deciding to concentrate on artistic projects, he closed the company and remained a sought-after teacher, mentor, and independent choreographer. In the fall of 2019, Rainey graduated with top honors as a member of the first cohort of candidates for the Master of Fine Arts in Dance from The University of the Arts. (Photo credit:  Portia Jones) 

Amy Seiwert enjoyed a nineteen-year performing career dancing with the Smuin, Los Angeles Chamber, and Sacramento Ballets. As a dancer with Smuin Ballet, she became involved with the “Protégé Program,” where her choreography was mentored by the late Michael Smuin. She was Choreographer in Residence there upon her retirement from dancing in 2008 until 2018. Named one of “25 to Watch” by Dance Magazine, her first full evening of choreography was named one of the “Top 10” dance events of 2007 by the SF Chronicle. Other awards include a Bay Area IZZIE Award for Outstanding Choreography and a “Goldie” from the San Francisco Bay Guardian. Her ballets have been supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, the Kennedy Center, and the Joyce Theater in New York City. Seiwert’s ballets are in the repertory of BalletX, Smuin Contemporary Ballet, Ballet Austin, BalletMet, Washington, Atlanta, Oakland, Colorado, Louisville, Cincinnati, Carolina, Oklahoma City, Milwaukee, and American Repertory Ballets as well as Imagery, ODC/Dance, and AXIS Dance. Ms. Seiwert will be joining Smuin Contemporary Ballet as Associate Artistic Director for the 23/24 Season.

Ethan Stiefel is an internationally recognized Instructor, Coach, Director and Choreographer. Stiefel became American Repertory Ballet’s Artistic Director in July, 2021. In 1989, Stiefel began his professional dance career at age 16 with the New York City Ballet where he quickly rose to the rank of Principal Dancer. Stiefel was also a Principal Dancer with Ballett Zürich followed by being a Principal Dancer with American Ballet Theatre (ABT) from 1997-2012. Stiefel has served as Dean of the School of Dance at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) as well as the Artistic Director of the Royal New Zealand Ballet. During his celebrated performing career, Stiefel danced leading roles in all the full-length classics and performed in an extensive range of shorter classical, contemporary, and modern works. Guest appearances include dancing with The Royal Ballet, The Mariinsky Ballet, New York City Ballet, Teatro Colon, The Australian Ballet and many others. He has appeared in numerous film, video and television productions including the feature film Center Stage and the documentary Born to be Wild. As a choreographer, he has created new works for the Royal New Zealand Ballet, The Washington Ballet, American Repertory Ballet, ABT Studio Company, Northern Ballet (UK), The Royal Ballet School, UNCSA, Jimmy Kimmel Live! and the television series Flesh and Bone on the STARZ network. Stiefel has received a number of prestigious awards such as the Statue Award of the Princess Grace Foundation and the Dance Magazine Award. (Photo credit: Harald Schrader)

Program

John ADAMS / John’s Book of Alleged Dances (Selections)

CIRCADIA (Excerpts)
Choreography by Caili Quan
Music – Carrot Revolution by Gabriella Smith

Caroline SHAW / The Evergreen

WOOD WORK (Excerpts)
Choreography by Ethan Stiefel
Music – Wood Works Nordic Folk Tunes (arr. Danish String Quartet)