The Santa Barbara Symphony and State Street Ballet have announced the collaborative start to their 2025/26 seasons with Prokofiev’s “Romeo and Juliet: A Ballet in One Act.”
Performances will be 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct.18, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19 at The Granada Theatre.
Under the baton of Maestro Nir Kabaretti, the Santa Barbara Symphony opens its season with Shostakovich’s “Festive Overture” and Rachmaninoff’s “Symphonic Dances.”
In the second half, State Street Ballet takes center stage and is joined by the symphony for “Romeo and Juliet.”
Featuring original choreography by artistic director Megan Philipp and artistic associate Nilas Martins (former principal dancer with New York City Ballet), the production of “Romeo and Juliet” offers a retelling of Shakespeare’s enduring tale.
“Audiences will be transported through the emotional arc of the story, from the innocence of young love and the intensity of deep-rooted feuds to its heartrending conclusion. The joint performance celebrates the artistic excellence of two of Santa Barbara’s premier performing arts institutions.
Tickets go on sale at midnight on Aug. 1, and can be purchased through the Granada Theatre Box Office online at granadasb.org, by phone at 805-899-2222, or in person at 1214 State St.
The concert is made possible through the support of State Street Ballet New Work Production Sponsor Cheryl Goldberg and Santa Barbara Symphony’s Season Sponsor Sarah & Roger Chrisman, Corporate Season Sponsor Montecito Bank & Trust, and Grand Venue Season Sponsor The Granada Theatre.
“This production reflects the ongoing creative partnership between the Santa Barbara Symphony and State Street Ballet,” said Kathryn R. Martin, president/CEO of the Santa Barbara Symphony.
“Together, we’re not only bringing bold artistic experiences to the stage; we’re enriching the cultural fabric of Santa Barbara and deepening our shared impact throughout the community we serve,” said Cecily MacDougall, State Street Ballet executive director.
Following its joint season opener in October, The Santa Barbara Symphony’s 2025/26 season highlights include:
“Mozart Requiem” (Nov. 15-16), featuring a double trombone concerto and the newly formed Santa Barbara Symphony Chorus; a Broadway-inspired New Year’s Eve celebration; two-day Beethoven Piano Concerto Marathon, showcasing five international piano competition winners; Valentine’s weekend Tribute to Romantic Hollywood (Feb. 14-15); Italian classics with Bella Italia (March 28-29); Gershwin’s timeless “An American in Paris” (April 18-19); and a season finale with Mahler’s “Resurrection Symphony” (May 16-17).
State Street Ballet’s upcoming season highlights include:
“The Nutcracker” (Granada Theatre, Dec 19-21), a festive holiday classic with live orchestra and over 100 youth dancers; “RECESS!” (Lobero Theatre, Mar 21-22), a triple bill blending “Carnival of the Animals,” Jerome Robbins’ “Interplay,” and a video game-inspired premiere by Kassandra Taylor Newberry; and “Chaplin” (Lobero Theatre, May 8-9), which explores the genius of Chaplin through theatrical movement and humor.
State Street Ballet’s upcoming season also offers new educational initiatives aimed at welcoming some 10,000 students and expanded accessible programming for neurodiverse audiences.
“Our mission has always been to make ballet accessible, exciting and relevant,” MacDougall said. “This season is an invitation to experience dance in ways you’ve never imagined as we explore how storytelling and ballet can evolve together.”
For more, visit TheSymphony.org.