The Carolina Ballet studios stand still across the dog days of summer. The rosin boxes remain undisturbed and the familiar echo of pointe shoes across the marley has fallen silent, if only for a little while. Empty barres and untouched piano keys await the first rehearsals of the 2026/27 season. Although all is quiet for the moment, the work of a new season is already underway.
Before our dancers take their first class of the season, costume designs are being sketched and brought to life in the costume shop, scenery is taking shape in our production warehouse, scores are being prepared, and countless artistic and technical decisions are already shaping each production. Later this summer, our dancers will return to the studio as rehearsals begin for Carolina Ballet’s 29th season, a season that brings together cherished classics, celebrated masterworks, and ambitious new creations.
A Season of Stories
The season opens in October with Dracula, an original full-length ballet by CEO/Artistic Director Zalman Raffael. Through an original libretto and choreography by Raffael, paired with an original score by Dr. David Goldstein, this world premiere explores the man behind the legend and the love, loss, and sacrifice that shaped his fate.
From there, the season continues with George Balanchine’s Jewels, presented in its entirety for the first time by Carolina Ballet. Made up of Emeralds, Rubies, and Diamonds, each with its own choreographic style, musical score, and visual identity, Jewels is widely regarded as one of George Balanchine’s defining works. In December, we’ll welcome audiences once again to the cherished holiday tradition of The Nutcracker.
In the new year, Giselle returns just in time for Valentine’s Day, offering one of ballet’s most enduring stories of love, devotion, and redemption, with its final performance taking place on February 14. Ballet on Valentine’s Day? Make those reservations now. The season continues with The Little Mermaid, featuring Zalman Raffael’s imaginative choreography, Rebecca Rebouché’s ethereal scenic designs, and an original score by Aaron Severini.
Spring brings a powerful program featuring Amy Hall Garner’s new The Rite of Spring, alongside world premieres by Gianna Reisen and Zalman Raffael, as well as Balanchine’s Apollo. The season concludes in May with a newly envisioned production of Sleeping Beauty, performed with live orchestra.
We are presenting a repertory that fully reflects the depth and scale of our expanded roster.
Zalman Raffael, CEO/Artistic Director
The Anticipation of Performance
For those who work in the theater and our offices, this is one of the most meaningful moments of the year. It is the period when ideas become designs, designs become rehearsals, and months of careful preparation gradually evolve into the performances audiences will experience this fall and spring. Although our dancers won’t return to the studio for several more weeks, much of the work that shapes a production has already begun.
Whether you have been with Carolina Ballet for many seasons or are considering your first visit, the 29th season offers an outstanding breadth of artistry. Across seven productions, audiences will experience world premieres, live music, revered classics, and works that continue to define the ballet repertory.
Join Us This Season
Soon, dancers will return to the barre, the quiet studios will once again resonate with music and the familiar echo of pointe shoes, and the long process of bringing seven productions to life will begin. We look forward to sharing that journey with you throughout the season.
Over the coming weeks and months, we’ll take you inside the rehearsal studios, costume shop, and creative process as the 29th season comes to life. As the dancers prepare to return in August, we can’t wait to share more behind the scenes looks into rehearsals as Dracula comes to life. We hope you’ll join us this fall.