New England Ballet Theatre (NEBT) proudly announces its 2025/2026 Season, an ambitious and artistically rich lineup that reflects the company’s growing artistic vision and deepening community roots. Guided by the motto “Classically Traditional, Uniquely Original,” NEBT’s upcoming season blends timeless stories with fresh perspectives, presenting bold new works, honoring ballet history, and celebrating local heritage.
Artistic & Executive Director Rachael Gnatowski shared, “This season is deeply personal and creatively expansive. We’re honoring the past, investing in emerging voices, and bringing ballet to more people, whether on stage, in schools, or in the community.”
NEBT opens the 2025-2026 season with a reimagined Firebird, October 11-12, inspired by the legendary Ballets Russes and Artistic Director Rachael Gnatowski’s familial connection to the company through dancer Waleria Gnatowska. The program also features Reflections on the Water, a restaged ballet by Michael Uthoff, crafted by Thomas and Jeanne Giroir; a revival of Tracy Dorman’s evocative Voices of Spring, showcasing original costumes from CT Valley Regional Ballet; and an excerpt from Christopher Fleming’s new ballet inspired by The Picture of Dorian Gray, with original music by David Goldstein, ahead of its full premiere in Fall 2026.
Celebrate the magic of the holidays with NEBT’s beloved family ballet, The Fantastic Toyshop. Now in its fifth season, The Fantastic Toyshop features delightful local references and heartwarming storytelling. NEBT is thrilled to share that this year they are offering a new sensory-friendly performance designed to make the magic of ballet more accessible to all. This performance will also include students from their new adaptive program Bridges to Ballet. Performances will be at Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts December 5-7.
Next March, NEBT’s annual New York City performance Ballet Unbound returns with an expanded vision. For the first time, the company’s Performance Ensemble from the School of NEBT will share the stage, giving students the opportunity to perform alongside professionals in one of the world’s leading dance venues – The Ailey Citigroup Theater. The program includes a world premiere by Connecticut native Julia Antinozzi, recently named one of Dance Magazine’s “25 to Watch” and fresh from a residency at the New York Choreographic Institute; a new work by Juliana Godlewski, recipient of NEBT’s Young Choreographer Award; and an original creation by Rachael Gnatowski, featuring striking black-and-white tutus designed by Fiona Burlin.
The season concludes next Spring with an original full-length adaptation of The Little Mermaid, a sweeping and emotional journey beneath the waves, brought to life through NEBT’s signature blend of classical technique and theatrical storytelling. This production will feature students from The School of NEBT, as well as students selected from an open audition.
NEBT also proudly welcomes five new dancers this season and introduces a traditional company ranking system (Principal, Soloist, Corps de Ballet, Apprentice), underscoring its dedication to professional excellence and artistic growth.
Tickets available starting September 1, 2025. Visit www.neballettheatre.com for tickets, performance times, casting, and program details.
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