SPRING PERFORMANCE
A Fairytale Comes to Life:
New Haven Ballet Presents The Sleeping Beauty at the Shubert Theatre
This spring, New Haven Ballet invites audiences across the Greater New Haven area to experience the beauty and storytelling of classical ballet with The Sleeping Beauty, presented at the Shubert Theatre on Saturday, May 23 at 1:00 p.m.
Set to the luminous score by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, this special production brings to life a world of fairies and enchantment, as Princess Aurora’s story unfolds with theatrical magic. Thoughtfully adapted for a broad audience, the performance offers an engaging and accessible introduction to classical ballet while preserving the richness of the original work.
The production brings together New Haven Ballet dancers, ages 4 to 18, performing side by side on the Shubert Theatre stage. It is a meaningful moment for students, an opportunity to share the results of months of hard work and artistic growth. For more than 40 years, New Haven Ballet has guided young dancers in their training, with many continuing on to leading summer programs, conservatories, and professional careers.
In addition to The Sleeping Beauty, the program includes select contemporary and Broadway inspired works, as well as performances by the School’s Shared Ability artists. Together, these pieces reflect both the school’s classical foundation and its ongoing commitment to inclusion and creative growth.
Artistic Director Lisa Kim shares, “This performance is a chance for our students to come together and share what they have been working toward all year. We hope it inspires everyone in the audience.”
Following the performance, audience members are invited to meet the fairies from the ballet, offering younger attendees a special opportunity to connect with the dancers.
With a running time of approximately one hour and 45 minutes, including a 20-minute intermission, the performance is well suited for both first-time audiences and those with a deeper interest in dance.
Tickets start at $19 (plus ticketing fees) and are available at shubert.com.
Photos: (c) 2019 Thomas Giroir Photography
REHEARSAL SCHEDULES & PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
Week of 5/4
SPRING PERFORMANCE MANDATORY STUDIO REHEARSAL: MAY 17
SPRING PERFORMANCE HANDBOOK
PRODUCTION SCHEDULE
Event Details
Spring Performance
The Sleeping Beauty and Spring Showcase
This spring, New Haven Ballet presents its full-length Children’s Ballet, The Sleeping Beauty, on the stage of the Shubert Theatre, a transformative performance experience for young dancers and audiences alike.
Set to Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s iconic score and rooted in the grand classical tradition, the ballet calls for precision, musicality, stamina, and artistic growth. Preparing a full-length classical work of this scale is a defining milestone in a dancer’s development and reflects the structured, progressive training that anchors New Haven Ballet’s program.
The performance also features original works by our Contemporary and Broadway Dance students, highlighting the versatility encouraged across disciplines. Our Shared Ability artists will present their own featured piece, underscoring the School’s commitment to excellence, inclusion, and meaningful performance opportunities for all dancers. A brief lecture demonstration will offer audiences insight into the technique and artistic process behind the production, revealing the discipline and care that shape each performance.
The Spring Performance reflects the rigor and artistry at the heart of New Haven Ballet. Founded in 1985 by Noble Barker, the School trains students ages 3 through adult, from foundational movement to pre-professional study, and offers one of Connecticut’s strongest residential Summer Intensives in partnership with Fairfield University. Students regularly go on to the nation’s top summer programs and professional careers. New Haven Ballet presents large-scale productions at the Shubert Theatre, including Artistic Director Lisa Kim’s The Nutcracker, with over 150 dancers and guest artists from New York City Ballet, while continuing to offer accessible performances throughout the region.
Performance Date: Saturday, May 23 at 1:00 p.m.
Running Time: Approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes, including one intermission.
NEW HAVEN BALLET WILL PRESENT ITS 2026 SPRING PERFORMANCE AT THE SHUBERT THEATRE, NEW HAVEN, 247 COLLEGE STREET, NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT, ON SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2025, AT 1:00 P.M.
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