News & Events

Everyone who auditions will be cast — make this season unforgettable!

It’s almost time for one of our most cherished traditions — The Nutcracker! We are thrilled to announce that auditions will be held on Saturday, September 20, and Sunday, September 21, 2025.

Every dancer enrolled in Creative Ballet I through Level 8 is eligible to audition, and every dancer who auditions will be cast in the production.

This is a unique opportunity for our students to:

  • Perform on the Shubert Theatre stage in a beloved holiday classic

  • Grow as artists under the guidance of our professional faculty

  • Share in the excitement of a production that delights audiences year after year

We can’t wait to begin this season’s magical journey together!

Click Here for more about the Nutcracker

 

AGES 3 TO 7 | CHILDREN’S DIVISION

At New Haven Ballet, we begin training with our gentle approach syllabus, designed to introduce our youngest dancers to the joys of music and movement. Classes are filled with laughter and held in spacious, sunny studios, guided by the region’s finest instructors.

Each Children’s Division class follows a carefully crafted syllabus that uses age-appropriate exercises and stretches to gently introduce students to classical dance and musical fundamentals. Over time, dancers build the skills and discipline needed to transition confidently into the graded curriculum.

Fall 2025 registration is open. Click Here to learn more.

New Haven Ballet’s Student Division proudly offers developing dancers the highest caliber of classical ballet training in the region, including pointe, partnering, and repertory classes. This core training is enriched by a diverse range of workshops and classes — from classical and Neo-classical to contemporary, lyrical, and Broadway styles — along with carefully designed conditioning and stretch sessions to support strength and flexibility.

Click Here for a Closer Look at New Haven Ballet’s Student Division.

Contact us to schedule a placement class at administrator@newhavenballet.org or 203-782-9038.

New Haven Ballet dancers have enjoyed a wonderful two weeks at Fairfield University for our sleep-away ballet intensive. While our dancers worked hard to refine their technique and artistry in daily classes, they also made time to relax and have fun.

Between rehearsals, we headed to the beach, shared breakfast out, tackled an escape room, played games, went on walks, and soaked up the summer sunshine together.

We invite you to join us on Friday, August 9, at 3:00 p.m. in the Oak Room at the Barone Campus Center for our end-of-session performance.

It has been an incredible two weeks, and we are grateful for the friends we’ve made, the memories we’ve created, and the time we’ve shared.

Click Here

 

Don’t miss New Haven Ballet’s spring performances at the Shubert Theatre, 247 College Street, New Haven, on Saturday, May 24, at 1:00 and 5:00 p.m. Tickets start at $26 (plus a $4 Shubert restoration fee). The show’s running time is approximately 2 hours, including intermission. To purchase tickets, Click Here.

The performances will include:

Adventures in Wonderland featuring music by various composers and choreography by Artistic Director Lisa Kim Sanborn. We invite you to immerse yourself in this fully restaged, beloved children’s tale, showcasing all your favorite characters, including Alice, the Cheshire Cat, the Mad Hatter, and the Queen of Hearts. Students from New Haven Ballet School perform this fantastic children’s ballet, which boasts professional, larger-than-life sets and stunning costumes. It reminds us that returning home is often the best part of experiencing exciting adventures. The performance premiered at the Shubert Theatre in New Haven on May 17, 2017.

La Bayadère, Kingdom of Shades, is a classical ballet that premiered in 1877 and remains a staple of the global classical ballet repertoire. Ludwig Minkus composed the music for the ballet, and the New Haven Ballet Company, a student company, will perform choreography inspired by Marius Petipa’s original work. This ballet features guest artist William Gutierrez as “Solor.”

Caprice Nos. 4 and 5 feature music composed by Polina Nazaykinskaya and are brilliantly performed by Nathaniel Strothkamp. This neo-classical ballet, choreographed by Artistic Director Lisa Kim Sanborn and presented by the New Haven Ballet Company, premiered at the Whitney Arts Center in New Haven in the spring of 2021.

Shared Ability, led by Kerry Kincy, will present a dance created by young artists with disabilities.

 

New Haven Ballet will hold auditions for classically trained ballet dancers ages 11 to 19 the 2025 Haven Ballet Company and perform in this season’s Spring Performances, including three ballets: Adventures in Wonderland, Caprice Nos. 4 and 5, and La Bayadère (The Kingdom of Shades). Auditions are open to New Haven Ballet students enrolled in Levels 5-8 for the Spring 2025 Semester. New dancers should call 203-782-9038 or email administrator@newhavenballet.org to schedule a placement class.

About New Haven Ballet Company: New Haven Ballet Company is a student company comprised of advanced-level dancers. Auditions for the Company will be held on Saturday, January 25. Dancers should have at least four years of serious classical training and matriculated to Levels 5 and above at New Haven Ballet School. The company gives young, capable dancers a pre-professional experience, which includes a rigorous dance training schedule, rehearsals several times per week, professional quality performances on stage, and master classes with topmost master teachers from all over the country.

Dancers should be between the ages of 11-21 years old. Pointe dancers wear solid black classical ballet cut leotards, pink or flesh-toned tights, and pointe shoes that match their tights. Non-pointe dancers wear a white T-shirt and black tights with matching black ballet shoes. Please arrive 15 minutes early to fill out registration paperwork and be measured for costumes.

There is no fee to audition for the Company. However, a performance fee covers rehearsal coaching, professional-quality costume rental, and performance privileges. Casting is competitive, but all students who audition will be cast in La Bayadère, Adventures in Wonderland, and/or Caprice Nos. 4 and 5.

About the Performances:

2025 New Haven Ballet Company dancers will perform at the Shubert Theatre New Haven on Saturday, May 24, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Adventures in Wonderland, with music by various composers, choreography by Lisa Kim Sanborn, and performed by New Haven Ballet School students. We invite you to experience this fully restaged popular children’s story featuring all your favorite characters, including Alice, the Cheshire Cat, Mad Hatter, and Queen of Hearts. This fantastic ballet features professional, larger-than-life sets and beautiful costumes. Wonderland reminds us that strength and happiness are defined by what we carry inside our hearts, and there is no more desirable place than home, sweet home. It premiered at the Shubert Theatre in New Haven on May 17, 2017.

La Bayadère, Kingdom of Shades, is a classical ballet initially performed in 1877. It is part of the classical repertoire of ballet companies worldwide, with music composed by Ludwig Minkus, choreography after Marius Petipa, and performed by the New Haven Ballet Company, consisting of advanced-level students.

Caprice Nos. 4 and 5, with music composed by Polina Nazaykinskaya, were gifted to the Artistic Director and New Haven Ballet during the pandemic. This neoclassical ballet with choreography by Lisa Kim Sanborn premiered at the Whitney Arts Center in New Haven in the Spring of 2021.

Photo: (c) Thomas Giroir Photography

OUR MISSION

To provide the greater New Haven Community with exceptional classical ballet training, performances, and outreach programs, that nurture appreciation of ballet and foster the joy of dance.

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