Get ready to fall under the spell of dance — no pointe shoes required. Colorado Ballet is celebrating 65 years of captivating audiences with a season that promises chills, thrills and more drama than a soap opera, all staged at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House. Featuring five productions performed alongside the Colorado Ballet Orchestra, this anniversary lineup includes Dracula, The Nutcracker, The Great Gatsby, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and MasterWorks.
“I am thrilled to announce the five productions planned for Colorado Ballet’s 65th Anniversary Season,” artistic director Gil Boggs says. “Our current season has seen our company performing stronger than ever and I couldn’t be more proud of our artists who pour their hearts into every single performance. Not only did we just present the Rocky Mountain regional premiere of Casanova to great acclaim, but we’re also experiencing a banner year with very successful runs of Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker.”
First up, Dracula sinks its teeth into the stage from October 3 through 12 later this year. Choreographed by Michael Pink with Philip Feeney’s eerie score, this gothic love story brings chills just in time for the spooky season. If you like your ballet with a side of suspense, this cult favorite is the perfect fall thriller and was a big hit when the company last produced it in 2022. Just be sure to bring a scarf — those Transylvanian nights can get drafty.
As snowflakes begin to fall, The Nutcracker twirls into the spotlight from November 29 through December 28. A holiday tradition as essential as peppermint mochas and ugly sweaters, this beloved ballet returns to enchant audiences of all ages with dancing mice, twirling snowflakes and Tchaikovsky’s timeless tunes. Plus, who doesn’t love a good "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy?"
The Roaring Twenties roar back to life in The Great Gatsby, running from January 30 to February 8, 2026. The ballet was originally scheduled to premiere at the Ellie in 2021, but due to the pandemic, it was postponed until its long-awaited debut this upcoming season. With Jorden Morris’ dynamic choreography and Carl Davis’ jazz-infused score, this production hopes to capture the glitz, glamour and heartbreak of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic. Flapper dresses are optional but highly encouraged.
March brings Shakespearean madness with Christopher Wheeldon’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, running March 6 through 15, 2026. Originally commissioned by Colorado Ballet in 1997, this whimsical ballet weaves together fairies, star-crossed lovers and Felix Mendelssohn’s enchanting music. With magic, mischief and lovers lost in the woods, what more could a balletgoer want?
Rounding out the season is MasterWorks, running April 10 through 19, 2026. This annual repertory production features three powerhouse pieces: Glen Tetley’s The Rite of Spring, a world premiere by Yoshihisa Arai commissioned by Colorado Ballet, and a yet-to-be-announced third work. Expect a fusion of artistic excellence and innovation that showcases the company’s range.
With a season that spans from gothic romance to jazz-age revelry and Shakespearean mischief, Colorado Ballet’s 65th season reflects both its rich legacy and its continued artistic evolution. Season subscriptions are available now and single tickets drop on July 1, 2025. As Colorado Ballet marks this milestone year, the season stands as a testament to its role in shaping the region’s cultural landscape while continuing to push the boundaries of classical and contemporary dance.
Learn more about Colorado Ballet's 2025-26 season at coloradoballet.org.
“I am thrilled to announce the five productions planned for Colorado Ballet’s 65th Anniversary Season,” artistic director Gil Boggs says. “Our current season has seen our company performing stronger than ever and I couldn’t be more proud of our artists who pour their hearts into every single performance. Not only did we just present the Rocky Mountain regional premiere of Casanova to great acclaim, but we’re also experiencing a banner year with very successful runs of Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker.”
First up, Dracula sinks its teeth into the stage from October 3 through 12 later this year. Choreographed by Michael Pink with Philip Feeney’s eerie score, this gothic love story brings chills just in time for the spooky season. If you like your ballet with a side of suspense, this cult favorite is the perfect fall thriller and was a big hit when the company last produced it in 2022. Just be sure to bring a scarf — those Transylvanian nights can get drafty.
Colorado Ballet's production of The Nutcracker returns November 29 to December 28, 2025.
Courtesy of Andrew Fassbender
The Roaring Twenties roar back to life in The Great Gatsby, running from January 30 to February 8, 2026. The ballet was originally scheduled to premiere at the Ellie in 2021, but due to the pandemic, it was postponed until its long-awaited debut this upcoming season. With Jorden Morris’ dynamic choreography and Carl Davis’ jazz-infused score, this production hopes to capture the glitz, glamour and heartbreak of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic. Flapper dresses are optional but highly encouraged.
March brings Shakespearean madness with Christopher Wheeldon’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, running March 6 through 15, 2026. Originally commissioned by Colorado Ballet in 1997, this whimsical ballet weaves together fairies, star-crossed lovers and Felix Mendelssohn’s enchanting music. With magic, mischief and lovers lost in the woods, what more could a balletgoer want?
Rounding out the season is MasterWorks, running April 10 through 19, 2026. This annual repertory production features three powerhouse pieces: Glen Tetley’s The Rite of Spring, a world premiere by Yoshihisa Arai commissioned by Colorado Ballet, and a yet-to-be-announced third work. Expect a fusion of artistic excellence and innovation that showcases the company’s range.
With a season that spans from gothic romance to jazz-age revelry and Shakespearean mischief, Colorado Ballet’s 65th season reflects both its rich legacy and its continued artistic evolution. Season subscriptions are available now and single tickets drop on July 1, 2025. As Colorado Ballet marks this milestone year, the season stands as a testament to its role in shaping the region’s cultural landscape while continuing to push the boundaries of classical and contemporary dance.
Learn more about Colorado Ballet's 2025-26 season at coloradoballet.org.
