Step into the world of grace and enchantment as Houston Ballet presents an extraordinary lineup of performances that promise to captivate audiences with timeless tales and breathtaking artistry. From Stanton Welch's magical The Nutcracker to the emotionally charged Maninyas, Houston Ballet continues to push the boundaries of creativity and excellence. This season also celebrates the future stars of ballet with the Academy Spring Showcase, while classic tales like The Sleeping Beauty and Raymonda unfold their mesmerizing stories. Each performance, held at the illustrious Wortham Theater Center, offers a unique experience, leaving audiences spellbound.

A Dance Odyssey: Exploring Houston Ballet's Captivating Seasons

The Houston Ballet's 2025 season promises an exquisite lineup of performances that celebrate both the rich traditions of classical ballet and the innovative strides of contemporary dance. From Stanton Welch's compelling 'Maninyas' in the 'In the Night' series to the timeless allure of 'The Sleeping Beauty' and the fresh talent showcased in the Academy Spring Showcase, each event offers a unique glimpse into the artistry and dedication fueling the world of ballet. Join us on a journey through these captivating performances at the Wortham Theater Center.

Houston Ballet's 2025 Season: A Blend of Tradition and Innovation

Join the Houston Ballet as they present an enthralling 2025 season at the Wortham Theater Center, featuring a blend of classical masterpieces and innovative contemporary works. From Stanton Welch’s evocative 'Maninyas' to Ben Stevenson's timeless 'The Sleeping Beauty', and the promising talents of the Academy Spring Showcase, this lineup promises to captivate dance enthusiasts. Experience the grandeur of 'Raymonda' and the dynamic expressions in 'Sparrow', a season that celebrates both tradition and modernity in ballet.

Houston Ballet's Captivating Season: A Journey Through Dance

Houston Ballet is all set to dazzle audiences with its upcoming season featuring a mesmerizing mix of classic and contemporary ballet. Spanning several months, the season will showcase incredible works such as Stanton Welch's 'Maninyas', the enchanting 'The Sleeping Beauty', the impressive 'Academy Spring Showcase', and more. Each performance promises to bring a unique and memorable experience, highlighting the tremendous skill and artistry of the dancers. Join us at the Wortham Theater Center in Houston, TX, to witness this spectacular display of ballet and dance.

Houston Ballet's Upcoming Season: A Celebration of Classic and Contemporary Dance

The Sleeping Beauty marked a pivotal moment in the career of Artistic Director Emeritus Ben Stevenson O.B.E, premiering in 1967 in London. Recognized as a supreme achievement of classical ballet, this exquisite production of the French fairytale was first staged in 1978 and subsequently revamped in 1990 to grace the grand stage of the Wortham Theater Center. Stevenson’s rendition unfolds the timeless tale of the beautiful princess, Aurora, cursed by the malevolent fairy, Carabosse. In a gripping narrative of good versus evil, the Lilac Fairy bestows upon Aurora the gift of sleeping for a hundred years, to awaken only with true love’s kiss. Set and costume designer Desmond Heeley adorns the stage with opulent sets and dazzling attire.

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The Sleeping Beauty

Wortham Theater Center

Three expressive ballets on this program offer a fascinating fusion of classical and contemporary artistry. Among them is Stanton Welch’s powerful Maninyas, a breathtaking work that delves into the gradual and sometimes daunting process of revealing oneself in a relationship. Featuring a series of fierce pas de deux and pas de trois, Maninyas earned acclaim as Welch’s first American commission for San Francisco Ballet, inspiring Ben Stevenson, Houston Ballet Artistic Director Emeritus, to invite Welch to create his inaugural piece

In the Night

The Margaret Alkek Williams Jubilee of Dance is a joyous and fleeting event that commemorates the rich legacy of Houston Ballet while spotlighting the potential of future stars. Featuring highlights from past productions and a sneak peek into what's to come, this annual extravaganza is a fast-paced evening that unfolds at a breathtaking rate.

Margaret Alkek Williams Jubilee of Dance

Experience the ultimate holiday enchantment with Stanton Welch’s The Nutcracker, a cherished Houston tradition. After the annual Stahlbaum Christmas party, embark on a journey through the dazzling Land of Snow to the radiant and jubilant Kingdom of Sweets alongside Clara, Drosselmeyer, and the Prince. Witness their reunion with the Sugar Plum Fairy amidst the clouds, where true magic unfolds. Renowned as one of the most magnificent productions ever staged, Welch’s The Nutcracker boasts hundreds of characters, intricate sets, and breathtaking details that will mesmerize audiences, offering new discoveries with every performance.

The Nutcracker

In this triple bill program, experience works that showcase the artistic depth and technical virtuosity of Houston Ballet dancers. Stanton Welch’s Velocity, created for The Australian Ballet in 2003, is a study in speed, characterized by rapid precision. It serves as a compelling and dynamic showcase of the athleticism of the company dancers.


The return of Aszure Barton’s powerful Come In, crafted for her friend and mentor Mikhail Baryshnikov in 2006, highlights the strength of 13 male dancers. Barton’s eclectic works have graced countless international stages worldwide.

Velocity

As we continue our efforts to enrich our repertoire with a diverse range of ballets and both esteemed and emerging choreographers, we are excited to open our 2024-2025 season with the Company premiere of John Neumeier’s coveted production of The Little Mermaid. This beautifully haunting interpretation of Hans Christian Andersen’s 1837 fairytale follows the troubled mermaid heroine on a journey between the divergent worlds of land and sea—one utterly complex, the other magnificently serene. With sets and costumes of grand scale displayed in a captivating blend of colors and shadows, complemented by an original score by composer Lera Auerbach, this intricate love story, deeply rooted in Andersen’s 1837 fairytale follows the mysterious mermaid heroine, makes its long-awaited debut in Houston.

The Little Mermaid

Our season comes to a close with Four Seasons, featuring four choreographers, each with their own distinct style. After a critically-acclaimed debut in 2019, Disha Zhang’s Elapse returns to the stage for an encore not to be missed. Exploring the idea of aging and the passage of time, her first piece choreographed for an American company is set to a captivating original score by Zeng Xiaogang. George Balanchine’s Tschaikovsky Pas de Deux is described by New York City Ballet as “an eight-minute display of ballet bravura and technique.” Welch’s The Four Seasons dramatizes the stages of a woman’s life from the vigor of youth in spring to the introspection of old age in winter. Set to Antonio Vivaldi’s beloved score of the same name, the large ensemble work returns for the first time since its premiere in 2007. Rounding out the program is a world premiere by Dwight Rhoden, Founding Artistic Director and Resident Choreographer of Complexions Contemporary Ballet – his first for Houston Ballet. Rhoden has created works for notable companies such as New York City Ballet, San Francisco Ballet and The Washington Ballet.

Four Seasons

The psychological thriller of Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s Mayerling comes to the Wortham Theater stage for the first time after its Houston Ballet debut in 2017 as part of our Hometown Tour. An epic triumph in classical story-telling, this titillating three-act ballet tells the dark tale of Crown Prince Rudolf, the sole heir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire in the 1880s. The work weaves a masterful story of scandal and political intrigue through an unhappy marriage, sensuous dalliances and morbid obsessions – all leading to the tragic murder-suicide of the Prince and his young mistress, Baroness Mary Vetsera. Accompanied by glamorous costumes and exquisite scenery, Houston Ballet dancers’ acting, and dancing strengths are on full display in this theatrical production.

Mayerling

Bespoke brings a fresh mixed repertory program with three ballets never-before-seen on the Wortham Theater stage. Continuing the long-standing commitment to bringing Jiří Kylián’s work to Houston, the program adds another of his works to the Company repertoire with the premiere of Overgrown Path. Set to the deeply moving score from composer Leoš Janáček, the work was created in 1980 for Nederlands Dance Theater in dedication to the legendary choreographer, Antony Tudor. Making its Houston Ballet debut, Stanton Welch’s Bespoke was created on San Francisco Ballet in 2018. Set to a series of Johann Sebastian Bach’s violin concertos, the ballet explores dancers’ love for their artform and the fleeting cycle of being a performer, with motifs of time present throughout the piece. Joining the two Houston premieres is Australian choreographer Tim Harbour’s rhythmic, fast-paced Filigree and Shadow. It takes the stage at the Company’s home theater for the first time, after its debut during the Hometown Tour following Hurricane Harvey in 2018.

Bespoke

Make no mistake, this is not your childhood Cinderella! More tomboy than princess, Stanton Welch’s title character is a striking woman of substance, determination and spunk. Not waiting on a prince to rescue her, Cinderella is in control, fighting the will of her evil stepmother with wit and vigor. And when she finds true love she grabs it – and holds on with both hands. Set to Prokofiev’s classic score with spectacular set and costume design by Kristian Frederickson, Welch’s unique spin on the storied classic brings the work into modern times, with a twist to suit the 21st century.

Cinderella

Always one of the most fun performances of the year, this year's Margaret Alkek Williams Jubilee of Dance will celebrate the 20th anniversary of Stanton Welch as our esteemed Artistic Director. The evening will begin with highlights of Welch's work created in Houston over the past 20 seasons. Continuing to spotlight the Company's strength as an eden for choreographic growth, the evening will also include three new ballets by Soloist Jacquelyn Long, Demi-Soloist Jack Wolff and Corps de Ballet dancer Jindallae Bernard. To close the night, audiences will enjoy a world premiere one-act from Welch himself, set to one of the most popular concertos ever written, Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto, No. 1. Reserve your seats early for this evening full of the stars of Houston Ballet and join us for a celebration not to be missed!

Houston’s holiday tradition continues with the magic and wonder of Stanton Welch’s The Nutcracker. Following the annual Stahlbaum Christmas party, journey through the glittering Land of Snow to the bright and joyful Kingdom of Sweets with Clara, Drosselmeyer and the Prince as he reunites with the Sugar Plum Fairy amongst the clouds, where the real magic happens. One of the most splendid ever staged, Welch’s The Nutcracker features hundreds of characters, elaborate sets and stunning details that will captivate audiences and leave you finding something new with every performance. Reserve your seats early for Houston premier holiday spectacular!

Our first triple bill of the season sets the stage with a playful look at classical ballet. Welch’s Tu Tu is full of agility and speed, with tongue-in-cheek choreography that showcases superb classical technique. Set to Ravel’s Concerto for Piano in G major, the dancers are outfitted in brilliantly colored costumes inspired by Gustav Klimt’s gold-hued paintings. Next, the Company adds a new Balanchine work to its repertoire with the Houston Ballet premiere of the iconic Stars and Stripes. In all-American costumes with exuberant patriotic touches, this classic Balanchine work is set to five rousing marches from composer John Phillip Sousa. The program is capped with a world premiere by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, a Colombian-Belgian choreographer who has created works for internationally renowned companies such as Dutch National Ballet, Scottish Ballet and Les Grand Ballet Canadiens. Her first commission for Houston Ballet, this new work is inspired by the life of the famous 20th century Uruguayan poet Delmira Agustini, known as one of the first female poets of the modernist era.

Tu Tu

Based on Shakespeare’s joyous romantic comedy, John Neumeier’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream follows the hijinks and hilarity that occur when a well-intentioned plan with a love potion goes awry. Following the thread of interwoven romances, the ballet travels from the Court of Athens to the Fairy Realm, where mayhem ensues. By cleverly combining the music of Mendelssohn, Ligeti and traditional organ music, the score transports the audience into a fantasy world through choreography that demonstrates the narrative power of ballet. Created in 1977 on Hamburg Ballet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream is one of Neumeier’s most famous works performed by companies around the globe. Houston Ballet was the first North American company to perform the distinguished work in 2014. 

A Midsummer Night's Dream

Aszure Barton’s Angular Momentum brings its notable Houston heritage to the stage once more. Barton pays homage to Space City with influences ranging from the city’s architecture depicted in the set design to the moon landing in the third movement of Mason Bates’ hybrid orchestral-electronic score, making this ballet an otherworldly experience. The program will also feature a new work by world-renowned choreographer Justin Peck, fresh off choreographing the Golden Globe winning musical West Side Story, marking his second work created on the Company. And with Stanton Welch’s Divergence, the popular, unexpected and explosive audience-favorite back as a complete work for the first time since 2012, this mixed repertoire program is sure to be a showstopper. 

Divergence

See the stars of tomorrow, today with the Academy Spring Showcase. The students of Houston Ballet Academy shine, whether it's performing works from the Company repertoire or ballets created specifically for them. It’s a must-see to experience the talented young dancers who represent the future of ballet. 

Academy Spring Showcase

One of Stanton Welch’s hallmark ballets, Clear showcases the depth of talent of Houston Ballet’s male dancers, featuring seven men and one woman. Sleek, stripped-down costumes emphasize the sheer magnitude of emotion in choreography set to music by Johann Sebastian Bach. The Company brings back one of George Balanchine’s greatest masterpieces for the first time since 1977. Concerto Barocco uses the music of Bach's Concerto in D Minor for Two Violins to spotlight the balletic relationship between dance and music. Houston Ballet also premieres Cathy Marston's Summer and Smoke, a co-production with American Ballet Theatre set to a commissioned score by Michael Daugherty. Inspired by Tennessee Williams' eponymous play, Summer and Smoke brings Marston’s unique perspective on storytelling, often inspired by works of literature, to Houston audiences for the first time. 

Summer And Smoke

Stanton Welch’s Romeo and Juliet returns to the Wortham Theater stage for the first time since the ballet’s debut in 2015. Set to Prokofiev’s breathtaking score, Stanton Welch’s production weaves the poignant tale of the star-crossed lovers exquisitely. The production pays tribute to the Italian Renaissance with lavish sets and costumes by acclaimed Italian designer Roberta Guidi di Bagno. Welch’s Romeo and Juliet is a brilliantly imagined interpretation of the world’s most famous love story, matching its classic themes with fresh choreography. The Bard himself would surely approve.

Romeo & Juliet

The annual Academy Spring Showcase showcases the remarkable talent of young artists from the Houston Ballet Academy at every level of training. Whether they are performing pieces from the company's repertoire or works created specifically for them, these dancers display a multitude of skills and artistry. It's a must-see event to witness the incredible young dancers who represent the future of ballet.

Stanton Welch’s opulent adaptation of Raymonda, inspired by the classic Marius Petipa, finds the lovely young Raymonda and her sisters destined to be betrothed to dukes from various countries, yet her heart already belongs to another.  An evil plot by the queen’s trusted advisor may change the destiny of Raymonda and her one true love. Revel in Alexander Glazunov’s glorious and sensuous score alongside lavish set and costumes by acclaimed Italian designer Roberta Guidi di Bagno, whose long-standing partnership with Stanton Welch resulted in the breathtaking production Romeo and Juliet. Raymonda is sure to become a treasured classic amongst Houston Ballet’s illustrious repertoire. 

Raymonda

The final program, Sparrow ignites the stage with three one-act ballets by choreographers spanning from yesterday’s eminence to today’s prominence: George Balanchine, Houston Ballet artistic Director Emeritus Ben Stevenson O.B.E, and our very own Stanton Welch AM.

Houston Ballet

25 - 26 Apr, 2025

Academy Spring Showcase

May 29 - Jun 8, 2025

Raymonda

12 - 22 Jun, 2025

Sparrow

13 - 23 Mar, 2025

The Sleeping Beauty

Feb 27 - Mar 9, 2025

In the Night

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