BIRMINGHAM, AL — Alabama Ballet proudly announces its 2026–2027 Sapphire Season, marking the company’s 45th anniversary with a vibrant lineup of performances celebrating classical tradition, American artistry, and bold contemporary voices. The season features beloved classics, dynamic mixed repertory programs, and new creative works, continuing Alabama Ballet’s legacy as a cultural cornerstone of Birmingham and the Southeast.
The Sapphire Season includes four main stage productions: American Portraits, George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker®, Swan Lake, and Unbound, alongside special performances and the company’s intimate At Home: New Voices series.
The season opens in September with Ballet in the Sky at Vulcan, a spectacular outdoor performance set against the Birmingham skyline at Vulcan Park & Museum. The program features select works from American Portraits, including George Balanchine’s Stars and Stripes Pas de Deux and Christopher Stuart’s To Heal and Dispersal. As daylight fades and city lights emerge, dancers from Alabama Ballet’s professional company and Day Program share the stage, creating an inspiring celebration of artistry, community, and the future of ballet.
In October, American Portraits takes the stage at the BJCC Theater. Created in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, this dynamic mixed repertory program honors the nation’s artistic voices and cultural spirit. The program includes Balanchine’s Stars and Stripes Pas de Deux, Christopher Stuart’s deeply moving gospel-inspired To Heal, and Stuart’s contemporary work Dispersal. Together, these pieces explore themes of resilience, transformation, and national identity through generations of American choreography.
The holiday season brings the return of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker® (Dec. 12–22, BJCC Concert Hall), a cherished Birmingham tradition that delights audiences of all ages. Set to Tchaikovsky’s iconic score, the magical story follows Marie on a wondrous journey from a Christmas Eve celebration to the Land of Sweets. Alabama Ballet is proud to be one of only seven companies in the world licensed by The George Balanchine Trust to perform this production, with select performances once again featuring live music by the Alabama Symphony Orchestra.
In February, Alabama Ballet presents Unbound, an exhilarating mixed repertory program celebrating the evolution of ballet. The evening opens with Seasons by Paul Vasterling, set to Vivaldi’s vibrant score. Also featured is For Pixie by internationally acclaimed choreographer Dani Rowe, Artistic Director of Oregon Ballet Theatre. The program concludes with Balanchine’s electrifying Rubies, presented in celebration of the work’s 60th anniversary, bursting with jazzy energy and neoclassical brilliance.
In March, audiences are invited into the Alabama Ballet Center for Dance for At Home: New Voices, an intimate program featuring original choreography created by Alabama Ballet company dancers. The performance highlights emerging creative voices within the company, offering audiences a unique opportunity to see dancers not only as performers but also as choreographers and storytellers.
The season concludes with Swan Lake (April 30–May 2, BJCC Concert Hall), presented in celebration of the ballet’s 150th anniversary. Set to Tchaikovsky’s unforgettable score, the timeless story follows Prince Siegfried and Odette, a young woman bound by a sorcerer’s curse that transforms her into a swan by day. Richly atmospheric staging and sweeping choreography bring this legendary tale of love, betrayal, and redemption vividly to life.
2026–2027 Season Ticket Packages – Save 15%
The Sapphire Package – $250
Tickets to all four Main Stage productions.
The Crown Package – $134
Tickets to the two classics: George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker® and Swan Lake.
The Jewel Package – $116
Tickets to mixed-repertory programs: American Portraits and Unbound.
For tickets and more information, visit alabamaballet.org.