Avant Chamber Ballet’s Artistic Director Katie Puder announces the company’s 13th season, marking its largest programming year to date. The expanded season features two distinct subscription series, both presented at Moody Performance Hall in the Dallas Arts District with live music.
“I am thrilled to announce this season, which is packed with exciting collaborations, live orchestras, and beloved audience favorites returning to the stage,” said Artistic Director Katie Puder. “We are particularly excited to introduce our new Family Series, offering two flexible ways for audiences to subscribe and experience the magic of ACB.”
This season offers two subscription options: the Classic Series and the new Family Series. The Classic Series includes the choice of 3 or 4 full productions with a 20% discount, just as you’ve loved for the past 13 years. The Family Series features 3 or 4 matinee performances specifically designed for young audiences, with subscriber tickets priced at just $20 each.
The Classic Series starts with Paul Mejia’s The Nutcracker with Live Orchestra December 5-7. This lush, classic production features conductor Brad Cawyer, the professional dancers of ACB, and a large children’s cast representing the best talent from local auditions. This is an annual sell-out tradition.
The Family Series will feature Nutcracker: Short & Suite on December 7th – a delightful 45-minute, sensory-friendly version of the holiday classic perfect for introducing young audiences.
For Valentine’s Day, the Classic Series will immerse you in the celebration of movement and music with Rhythm & Romance, February 13-14. The program is a series of ballets inspired by the amazing live music that will accompany the dancers. The evening will include George Balanchine’s Valse Fantaisie set to music by Mikhail Glinka, Paul Mejia’s Cafe Victoria with tangoes of Astor Piazzolla, and Katie Puder’s Sisterhood featuring music by Dallas-native composer Quinn Mason.
The Family Series performance on February 14th will be Peter and the Wolf featuring a chamber orchestra. Throughout this imaginative retelling, each musical instrument represents a character and helps introduce the sounds of the live orchestra to children. Paul Mejia’s choreography will draw audiences of all ages into the symphonic tale, while bilingual narration is a perfect addition to the storytelling aspect for children.
March 27-28, Avant Chamber Ballet and Orchestra New Spain join forces for Pulchinella: Reimagined an innovative and electrifying performance that pushes the boundaries of storytelling through dance and live music. The program features two contrasting works: Igor Stravinsky’s witty, baroque-inspired “Pulcinella,” restaged in Mexico with colorful staging and costumes, perfectly capturing the Comedia del Arte characters and Manuel de Falla’s intensely theatrical and tragic “El Amor Brujo” set in the passionate heart of Andalusia. Both ballets will be world premieres choreographed by Katie Puder and Fernanda Oliveira. The Classic Series will feature the full evening of two ballets and the Family Series will be a one-act version Pulcinella Jr with all the same wonderful dancers, costumes, and orchestra on stage!
To finish the Classic Series ACB debuts The Seasons with a live orchestra conducted by Brad Cawyer. Composer Alexander Glazounow’s music is given a rich, romantic interpretation by choreographer Paul Mejia. The ballet is presented as four tableaux depicting the character of the four seasons of the year. The shimmering score provides the backdrop as the season changes from icy winter to spring garlands, from spirited summer to vibrant autumn.
The final Family Series performance features a live chamber orchestra with Katie Puder’s newly rechoreographed Carnival of the Animals. Camille Saint-Saens famous score delights audiences with 14-movements danced by Elephants, Fish, Lions, and a Swan. Like all the Family Series performances, children can meet their favorite characters after the show in the lobby.
Subscribers to the Classic Series will receive a 20% discount on all tickets with a choice of subscribing to three or four shows. Family Series subscribers receive $5 off all seats for only $20 tickets.
Subscriptions are on sale now for Avant Chamber Ballet’s 2025-2026 season at www.AvantChamberBallet.org
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