Standing on the threshold of a transformative chapter, State Street Ballet launches its 30th season with an anniversary gala at Music Academy of the West. Like the upcoming performance season, this 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 plein-air performances by the UCSB Middle East Ensemble highlight the double-bill—Scheherazade and The Firebird—that opens the company’s 2024-25 season. The 30th Anniversary Gala will be held at Music Academy of the West, Saturday, Sept. 28, at 5 p.m.; tickets are available at statestreetballet.com.
State Street Ballet’s performance season features programming that elevates the art of dance, showcasing an impressive array of some of the most renowned choreographers in dance history, including George Balanchine (New York City Ballet), Gerald Arpino (Joffrey Ballet), William Soleau (Finis Jung), and Autumn Eckman (Giordano Dance Chicago, Hubbard Street Dance).
For the first time in the company’s history, all four performances will include live music, funded through a generous grant from the Manitou Fund, Nora McNeely Hurley Silo. The milestone season will also see unprecedented collaborations with local arts organizations, including the Santa Barbara Symphony, Opera Santa Barbara, The Granada Theatre, the Lobero Theater, Opera San Luis Obispo Grand Orchestra, the Music Academy of the West, the Santa Barbara Public Library, and the Santa Barbara Museum of Art.
The premiere program of the season, the double bill Scheherazade and The Firebird, will be performed with the Santa Barbara Symphony, conducted by Nir Kabaretti. Artistic Director Megan Philipp describes it as “more than just a performance. It’s a night of unforgettable artistry, and a celebration of 30 years of ballet excellence.”
The virtuosic Scheherazade, with choreography by Autumn Eckman and music by Rimsky Korsakov, was first envisioned by State Street Ballet Managing Director Tim Mikel, who wrote the libretto. An intriguing variation on a classic story, this sensual, physical, and electric ballet premiered in 2014.
The Firebird features dramatic choreography by William Soleau and music by Igor Stravinsky, to tell a fantastical Russian fairytale of good and evil. The company’s cast of international artists will be joined by guest artist Rachel Hutsell, formerly of New York City Ballet. Performances are at The Granada Theatre, Saturday, Oct. 26, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Oct. 27, at 2 p.m.
The Nutcracker celebrates tradition, magic and community, as State Street Ballet brings over 150 performers to the stage to create holiday magic. Students from State Street Ballet Academy, along with trainees from the company’s Professional Track Program, join the cast to bring Rodney Gustafson’s enchanting choreography to life. Accompaniment is by Opera San Luis Obispo Grand Orchestra, under the direction of Brian Asher Alhadef. Performances are at The Granada Theatre, Saturday, Dec. 21, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 pm, and Sunday, Dec. 22, at 2 p.m.
In the company’s first full-length world premiere since 2019, The Little Mermaid takes the ultimate adventure to learn about true love. With choreography by Megan Philipp and Cecily MacDougall, the production features stunning sets, life-sized puppets, and an original score by esteemed film composer Charles Fernandez, performed by Brian Asher Alhadeff and San Luis Obispo Opera Orchestra. This production also includes a sensory-friendly performance for families with special needs or small children; the house lights will be dimmed but remain on, the volume on speakers and mics will be reduced, and audience members are welcome to move and vocalize as needed. Tickets are $20, and further subsidized tickets are available. Performances are at the Lobero Theatre, Saturday, March 1, 2025 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, March 2, 2025 at 2 p.m. The sensory-friendly performance is Saturday, March 1, 2025 at 2 p.m.
The Brilliance Program / Ballanchine, Arpino, and Beyond closes the 30th anniversary season in style. Contemporary innovation and classical elegance share the stage with George Balanchine’s Who Cares? and Birthday Variations by Joffrey Ballet’s Gerald Arpino. Plus, a world premiere by the visionary Kassandra Taylor Newberry further pushes artistic boundaries in this unforgettable showcase of passion and brilliance. Performances are at the Lobero Theatre, Friday, May 9, 2025 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, May 10, 2025 at 2 p.m.
ABOUT THE COMPANY
State Street Ballet is a renowned international dance company established in 1994 by Founding Director Rodney Gustafson. The company embodies artistic excellence, drawing exceptional dancers from around the globe to create captivating performances that push the boundaries of traditional ballet. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Megan Philipp and Executive Director Cecily MacDougall, State Street Ballet has become a hub for dance on the Central Coast, providing a home for 20 international company artists, a professional trainee program, annual summer intensive, and educational outreach initiatives. The company’s focus on exceptional artistic and educational programming ensures that each season presents a dynamic blend of timeless classics and innovative new works, for audiences in Santa Barbara and abroad. Visit statestreetballet.com for more information.