Grand Rapids Ballet is pleased to announce our 2021-22 Season: Moving Forward. After a long-awaited return to live, in-person performances, our season includes an array of repertory favorites ranging from contemporary creations to timeless classics. Our dancers are reinvigorated and reinspired, Moving Forward under the direction of Artistic Director James Sofranko and Executive Director Glenn Del Vecchio. We have missed spending time with you, our valued audience, and look forward to raising the curtain on a dynamic 2021-22 season!
Our Moving Forward season offers something for everyone, featuring classical ballet favorites, including The Nutcracker, Cinderella, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and explores new favorites with contemporary works such as Off the Canvas and Jumpstart 2022. We invite you to explore our full-season program below.
2022 also marks an important milestone as Grand Rapids Ballet celebrates 50 years of lifting the human spirit through the art of dance. Our 50th Anniversary spans two seasons, kicking off with family-favorite Cinderella in February. Stay tuned for special anniversary announcements and events taking place throughout our upcoming season.
Our 2021-22 season is now open to new and current subscribers! Individual tickets to all of our 2021-22 season performances are available through Ticketmaster. See specific performance dates and times below. Subscription prices and benefits have been updated January 2022 to reflect the remainder of the 2021-22 season.
WATCH OUR SEASON ANNOUNCEMENT
Grand Rapids Ballet’s Artistic Director James Sofranko shares an overview of the 2021-22 Season, Moving Forward. Watch as he shares details about the dynamic season including Off the Canvas, The Nutcracker, Cinderella, Jumpstart 2022, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream with Serenade.
Moving Forward | Productions
Summer Series | Revitalize
August 14 and 31, 2021
Spend two revitalizing Michigan summer evenings enjoying Grand Rapids Ballet outdoors ahead of our official season launch in October. In August, our dancers come to life performing under the evening skies. The first program will take place at downtown’s newest venue, Studio Park, on August 14. The second program in our Summer Series features a return to the amphitheater at Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park on August 31. Both programs will include a variety of classical and contemporary works fitting for all audiences.
See Performance Locations:
Saturday, August 14, 2021
- Tickets are available now directly through Studio Park.
- Evening performance at Studio Park, located at:
- 123 Ionia Ave SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Guests must bring their own chairs to enjoy the performance. Folding chairs or blankets are preferred.
Tuesday, August 31, 2021
- The performance begins at 7 p.m.
- Tickets are free for Meijer Gardens members and included in admission for other guests.
- Tickets are available on the day of the performance in the Meijer Gardens Welcome Center or Amphitheater Box Office beginning at 5 p.m.
- Additional information is available at: meijergardens.org
- Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, located at:
1000 E Beltline Ave NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49525
Chairs of all heights are welcome, and the permanent seats at the rear of the amphitheater are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Off the Canvas | Rebound
October 15-17, 2021 at Peter Martin Wege Theatre
Off the Canvas features three contemporary ballets exploring art in motion, taking inspiration from the world of visual arts. Dancers rebound in Off the Canvas, choreographed by Katarzyna Skarpetowska, music by Adrian Lim-Klumpes, bringing to life Cy Twombly’s “Bacchus” paintings, encompassing their ecstatic looping movement. In-Frame, choreographed by Resident Choreographer Penny Saunders, music by Max Richter, explores the creative process cycle and coincides with Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, beginning in spring and coming full circle back to spring. The final ballet features the return of Adam Hougland’s hit, Cold Virtues, scored by Philip Glass, which follows a story, loosely based on “Dangerous Liaisons,” of a power couple, moved to manipulate society for their own entertainment.
See Performance Dates and Times:
Friday, October 15, 2021
- Evening performance at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 16, 2021
- Evening performance at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, October 17, 2021
- Matinee performance at 2 p.m.
Friday, October 22, 2021
- Evening performance at 7:30 p.m. | PURCHASE TICKETS
The Nutcracker | Rejoice
December 10-12 & 17-19, 2021 at DeVos Performance Hall
Grand Rapids’ holiday seasonal tradition adorns the stage at DeVos Performance Hall with beautiful sets and beloved characters for our annual production of The Nutcracker! Join Clara as she journeys through the Land of the Sweets, guided by the Sugar Plum Fairy where she is dazzled by swirling snowflakes and waltzing flowers. Grand Rapids Ballet dancers perform enchanting choreography by Val Caniparoli in front of wonderfully imagined sets by Chris Van Allsburg, designed by Eugene Lee, with live accompaniment from the Grand Rapids Symphony to Tchaikovsky’s magical score. Share the joy of the season as we rejoice in our return to the stage for the city’s favorite holiday tradition.
See Performance Dates and Times:
Friday, December 10, 2021
- Evening performance at 7:30 p.m. | PURCHASE TICKETS
Saturday, December 11, 2021
- Matinee performance at 2 p.m. | PURCHASE TICKETS
- Evening performance at 7:30 p.m. | PURCHASE TICKETS
Sunday, December 12, 2021
- Matinee performance at 2 p.m. | PURCHASE TICKETS
Clara’s Tea | Sunday, December 12, 2021
- Sunday, December 12 at noon.
- More details to follow in the coming months.
Friday, December 17, 2021
- Evening performance at 7:30 p.m. | PURCHASE TICKETS
Saturday, December 18, 2021
- Matinee performance at 2 p.m. | PURCHASE TICKETS
- Evening performance at 7:30 p.m. | PURCHASE TICKETS
Sunday, December 19, 2021
- Matinee performance at 2 p.m. | PURCHASE TICKETS
Cinderella | Revive
February 25-27, 2022 at DeVos Performance Hall
Grand Rapids Ballet kicks off our 50th Anniversary, reviving youthful memories from the classic fairytale, Cinderella, choreographed by renowned choreographer Ben Stevensen, O.B.E. This timeless story journeys alongside Cinderella as her dreams are turned to reality by her Fairy Godmother before she dances the night away with her Prince at a dazzling ball. The Grand Rapids Symphony performs Sergei Prokofiev’s melodic score, as the audience watches Cinderella’s story unfold, leading to her happily ever after.
See Performance Dates and Times:
Friday, February 25, 2022
- Evening performance at 7:30 p.m. | PURCHASE TICKETS
Saturday, February 26, 2022
- Matinee performance at 2 p.m. | PURCHASE TICKETS
Sunday, February 27, 2022
- Matinee performance at 2 p.m. | PURCHASE TICKETS
Jumpstart 2022 | Refocus
March 25-27, 2022 at Peter Martin Wege Theatre
Grand Rapids Ballet’s Company dancers push the boundaries of choreographic exploration for our annual Jumpstart performance. Our multi-talented dancers refocus their creative energies, moving into the role of choreographer, building works for other company dancers. This year, in celebration of our 50th Anniversary, each Jumpstart world premiere highlights and incorporates a partnership with various community organizations, which will be announced leading up to the production. Two works will be revived from our 2020-21 virtual season, including a reworking of the film, Amiss, choreographed by Resident Choreographer Penny Saunders, and Brothers by Jennifer Archibald.
See Performance Dates and Times:
Friday, March 25, 2022
- Evening performance at 7:30 p.m. | PURCHASE TICKETS
Saturday, March 26, 2022
- Evening performance at 7:30 p.m. | PURCHASE TICKETS
Sunday, March 27, 2022
- Matinee performance at 2 p.m. | PURCHASE TICKETS
A Midsummer Night’s Dream | Renew
April 22-24 & April 29-May 1, 2022 at Peter Martin Wege Theatre
Enjoy Shakespeare’s comedic tale of whimsy and love with renewed excitement, as Grand Rapids Ballet performs A Midsummer Night’s Dream, a story full of magical spells cast by Oberon and Titania, king and queen of the fairies, and the infamous mischief-making Puck. Choreographed by Christopher Stowell, associate director of the National Ballet of Canada, with music by Felix Mendelssohn, company dancers are accompanied by Grand Rapids Ballet School students, transforming into fairies, butterflies, and mystical characters, enchanting the audience with spells of our own. We also pay homage to George Balanchine, performing the timeless, classical work, Serenade, with music by Tchaikovsky, known as his first ballet made in America.
See Performance Dates and Times:
Friday, April 22, 2022
- Evening performance at 7:30 p.m. | PURCHASE TICKETS
Saturday, April 23, 2022
- Evening performance at 7:30 p.m. | PURCHASE TICKETS
Sunday, April 24, 2022
- Matinee performance at 2 p.m. | PURCHASE TICKETS
Friday, April 29, 2022
- Evening performance at 7:30 p.m. | PURCHASE TICKETS
Saturday, April 30, 2022
- Evening performance at 7:30 p.m. | PURCHASE TICKETS
Sunday, May 1, 2022
- Matinee performance at 2 p.m. | PURCHASE TICKETS
Aladdin | Rekindle
March 11-13 & 19-20, 2022 at Peter Martin Wege Theatre
Under the direction of and choreographed by Attila Mosolygo, Grand Rapids Ballet’s Junior Company is rekindling the familiar tale of Aladdin, as our talented young dancers share the story of an impoverished boy, living in Agrabah, who falls in love with the beautiful Princess Jasmine. This exciting adventure features a thrilling quest, with mysterious characters along the way including a fierce dragon, a magic genie, and a powerful Sorcerer.
See Performance Dates and Times:
Revitalize Your Community | Reconnect
Come together, once again, at Grand Rapids Ballet for a sensational 2021-22 Season! Our dancers, choreographers, and staff have big plans in place and are eagerly awaiting our moment to move forward as a community. Join us as we gather with friends, family, and loved ones, rekindling relationships while also supporting the arts at Michigan’s only professional ballet company.
Safety Considerations
Grand Rapids Ballet has diligently prepared for our return to live, in-person performances amid the coronavirus pandemic. Please rest assured, the health and safety of our staff, patrons, and community remains our highest priority.
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