Opening its doors to transformation, State Street Ballet will kick off its 30th anniversary season with a celebratory gala at the Music Academy of the West. Like the upcoming season, the event promises to be a feast for the eyes, ears and taste buds.
Cocktails, a three-course dinner, a curated performance in Hahn Hall and an outdoor performance by the UCSB Middle Eastern Ensemble will be highlights of the double feature “Scheherazade” and “The Firebird,” which kicks off the company’s 2024-25 season. The 30th anniversary gala will be held at Music Academy of the West on Saturday, Sept. 28, at 5 p.m. Tickets are available for purchase at statestreetballet.com.
State Street Ballet’s performance season features programming that elevates the art of dance, showcasing the magnificent work of some of the most celebrated choreographers in dance history, including George Balanchine (New York City Ballet), Gerald Arpino (Joffrey Ballet), William Solow (Finis Jung) and Autumn Ekman (Giordano Dance Chicago, Hubbard Street Dance).
For the first time in the company’s history, all four performances will incorporate live music, thanks to generous grants from the Manitou Foundation and the Nora McNeely Hurley Silo. The milestone season will also feature unprecedented collaborations with local arts organizations, including the Santa Barbara Symphony, Opera Santa Barbara, Granada Theatre, Lobero Theatre, Opera San Luis Obispo Grand Orchestra, Music Academy of the West, Santa Barbara Public Library and the Santa Barbara Museum of Art.
The season’s premiere double bill of Scheherazade and The Firebird will feature the Santa Barbara Symphony Orchestra conducted by Neil Cavalletti. Artistic Director Megan Phillips describes the performance as “more than just a performance — an unforgettable evening of the arts, a celebration of 30 years of ballet excellence.”
The Nutcracker will run Dec. 21-22. Photo by Kyle London Photography
Choreographed by Autumn Ekman and with music by Rimsky-Korsakov, the acclaimed “Scheherazade” was originally conceived and librettoed by State Street Ballet Managing Director Tim Mikel. An intriguing variation on the classic tale, this sensual, physical and provocative ballet premiered in 2014.
The Firebird depicts a fantastical Russian fairy tale of good and evil with dramatic choreography by William Thoreau and music by Igor Stravinsky. The company’s cast of international artists will be joined by former New York City Ballet guest artist Rachel Hutzell. Performances will take place at the Granada Theatre on Saturday, October 26th at 7:30pm and Sunday, October 27th at 2pm.
The Nutcracker celebrates tradition, magic and community, as State Street Ballet brings more than 150 performers to the stage to create holiday magic. The cast includes students from State Street Ballet Academy and trainees from the company’s Professional Track program, bringing Rodney Gustafson’s enchanting choreography to life, accompanied by the Opera San Luis Obispo Grand Orchestra, conducted by Brian Asher Alhadeff. Performances will be at the Granada Theatre on Saturday, December 21 at 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM, and Sunday, December 22 at 2:00 PM.
The Little Mermaid will return for a ballet performance on March 1-2, 2025. Photo by Kyle London Photography
The Little Mermaid, the company’s first full-length world premiere since 2019, takes the audience on an ultimate adventure to learn about true love. Choreographed by Meghan Phillips and Cecily McDougall, the production features stunning sets, life-sized puppets, an original score by renowned film composer Charles Fernandez, and is performed by Brian Asher Alhadeff and the San Luis Obispo Opera Orchestra. The production also includes a sensory-friendly performance for families with special needs and young children. House lights will be dimmed but remain on, speakers and microphones will be turned down, and audience members will be allowed to move and vocalize as needed. Tickets are $20, with additional discounted tickets available. Performances will be at the Lobero Theatre on Saturday, March 1, 2025 at 7:30 PM and Sunday, March 2, 2025 at 2 PM. The sensory-friendly performance will be on Saturday, March 1, 2025 at 2 PM.
Brilliance Program / Balanchine, Arpino and Beyond concludes the 30th anniversary season with a bang. George Balanchine’s Who Cares? and Joffrey Ballet’s Gerald Arpino’s Birthday Variation share contemporary innovation and classic elegance onstage. Plus, a world premiere by visionary Cassandra Taylor Newberry further pushes artistic boundaries in this unforgettable showcase of passion and brilliance. Performances will take place at the Lobero Theatre on Friday, May 9, 2025 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, May 10, 2025 at 2 pm.
About the Company
State Street Ballet is an internationally renowned dance company founded in 1994 by founding director Rodney Gustafson. The company embodies artistic excellence, bringing together outstanding dancers from around the world to create captivating performances that push the boundaries of traditional ballet. Under the direction of artistic director Megan Phillip and executive director Cecily McDougall, State Street Ballet has become a center of dance on the Central Coast, providing a home for 20 international company artists, a professional trainee program, an annual summer intensive, and educational outreach. With a focus on outstanding artistic and educational programming, the company presents a dynamic blend of timeless classics and innovative new work to audiences in Santa Barbara and abroad each season. For more information, visit statestreetballet.com.