PRE-PERFORMANCE EVENTS
The story behind the dance
Go behind the scenes with free pre-performance talks throughout the 2026 Season. Join expert scholars and curators to uncover the stories and history behind the choreography before the curtain rises.
BALANCHINE: A PANEL DISCUSSION
Join us before the opening night of Balanchine–Father of American Ballet for a special panel discussion with Artistic Director Tamara Rojo and Elizabeth Kendall, author of Balanchine Finds His America: A Tale of Love Lost & Ballet Reborn and Balanchine and the Lost Muse: Revolution and the Making of a Choreographer.
Moderated by James Steichen, author of Balanchine and Kirstein’s American Enterprise.
DATE: Tuesday, February 10, 2026
TIME: 6:00–6:45pm
LOCATION: War Memorial Opera House. Enter from the North Carriage Entrance.
TICKETS: The panel discussion is free and open to the public, with general seating in the orchestra level. Tickets are not required to attend the panel discussion from 6:00–6:45pm. A valid ticket is required to stay for the performance at 7:30pm.
MEET THE ARTIST INTERVIEWS
Attending a performance on a Friday night or Sunday matinee? Join us for a free Meet the Artist pre-performance interview in the Opera House 55-minutes before the performance.
Photo credit: Martin West, Ashley Wheater, and Tamara Rojo in a panel discussion of Possokhov’s Eugene Onegin, moderated by Phil Chan, at Works & Process at Guggenheim New York // © Elyse Mertz