Ethan Stiefel’s “A Midsummer Nights Dream”. Photo by Rosalie O’Connor courtesy of the American Repertory Ballet.

The American Repertory Ballet has announced its 2023-2024 season, which features both classic and contemporary works.

“ARB’s artists and programming together create exceptional experiences unlike the repertoire that others are presenting. We do this not simply to be different, but because this is how we as an organization believe that we can contribute to our communities and beyond, as well as towards the broader context of the art form,” said American Repertory Ballet Artistic Director Ethan Stiefel.

“We’ve placed an emphasis on showcasing new work and a dynamic range of talent while also exhibiting a true commitment to advancing classical ballet,” Stiefel said. “Our 2023-2024 season will continue to further and freshly evolve both ourselves and our art.”

Elevate

A founding resident company of the state-of-the-art New Brunswick Performing Arts Center, the American Repertory Ballet returns to its home venue October 13-15 with “Elevate”, a program of three new-fashioned ballet and contemporary works. The program includes a new creation by dance influencer and award-winning artist Stephanie Martinez, a world premiere by Philadelphia-based choreographer Meredith Rainey featuring new music commissioned by up-and-coming composer Miranda Scripp, and the return of Stiefel’s “Wood Work” set to modern renditions of Nordic folk tunes by the Danish String Quartet.

The Nutcracker

The American Repertory Ballet’s time-honored holiday tradition “The Nutcracker” returns to delight audiences. For the first time in five years, “The Nutcracker” will be on stage at Two River Theater in Red Bank. “The Nutcracker” will also be performed at McCarter Theatre Center in Princeton, the Patriots Theater at the War Memorial in Trenton, and at the State Theatre New Jersey in New Brunswick.

Dates:

McCarter Theatre Center, Princeton | November 24-26
Two River Theatre, Red Bank | December 1-3
Patriots Theater at the War Memorial, Trenton | December 9
State Theatre New Jersey, New Brunswick | December 15-17

Classic Beauty

The program, which runs from March 8-10 at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center, features excerpts from “Swan Lake Act II” and “Sleeping Beauty Act III”.

“Swan Lake Act II” takes audiences into the world of Odette, the swan princess, as she reveals her true form to Prince Siegfried.

“Sleeping Beauty Act III” is a celebration of love and happiness that culminates in the wedding of Princess Aurora and Prince Désiré.

A Midsummer’s Night Dream

The return of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, a one-act ballet conceived and choreographed by Stiefel, is set to Felix Mendelssohn’s score, with additional music arranged by Erich Wolfgang Korngold. Performances run May 10-12 at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center.

For more information about the American Repertory Ballet and tickets, visit the organization’s website at www.arballet.org