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: BOOK TALK
Join us for a special book talk and book signing event with 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.
DATE: Monday, February 9, 2026
TIME: 6:00-6:45pm Book Talk, followed by a Book Signing
LOCATION: SF Ballet building, 455 Franklin Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
TICKETS: $25 general admission. Discounted price of $20 for SF Ballet donors Contributor Level and above.
BOOK SIGNING: Elizabeth Kendall will sign books from 6:45-7:15pm immediately following her Book Talk. Please purchase your book in advance from wherever you prefer to buy your books. Books will not be available for purchase at the event.
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