Curated by Tamara Rojo, season features the return of AI-inspired smash-hit Mere Mortals, a world premiere Onegin, Balanchine and Forsythe showcases, and more
Season marks Grammy Award-winning SF Ballet Orchestra’s 50th Anniversary, expanded Creation House initiatives, and a robust touring schedule
(SAN FRANCISCO, CA) April 30, 2025—San Francisco Ballet (SF Ballet) today revealed the full slate of programming in its 2025–2026 Season. Curated by Artistic Director Tamara Rojo, the season features original SF Ballet commissions, uplifts ballet’s most visionary voices, and showcases the continued evolution of classical and contemporary ballet, furthering the organization’s mission to define the future of the art form and expand its reach. Works include the world premiere of Yuri Possokhov’s Eugene Onegin and the return of Aszure Barton and Floating Points’ smash-hit commission Mere Mortals, a George Balanchine program tracing the legendary choreographer’s influences, a full evening dedicated to the ground-breaking work of American choreographer William Forsythe, beloved story ballets spanning tragedy to comedy, and more. The company has also announced a portion of its touring schedule for 2025 and 2026 in addition to its roster for the season, which includes promotions and newly appointed company members joining SF Ballet from international companies.
SF Ballet’s 25/26 Season will include:
- The beloved family holiday favorite Nutcracker, set in San Francisco and honoring the company’s legacy as the first to present a full-length production;
- The world premiere of Yuri Possokhov’s Eugene Onegin, a co-commission with The Joffrey Ballet from SF Ballet’s choreographer-in-residence including a new score by Ilya Demutsky, based on Alexander Pushkin’s classic novel exploring idealism and regret in aristocratic society;
- Balanchine: Father of American Ballet, a program comprised of Diamonds, Serenade, and Stars and Stripes, iconic works in Balanchine’s repertoire that trace the evolution of the legendary choreographer’s style and influences spanning Russian imperialism to Americana;
- A full evening-length presentation of Forsythe’s ongoing project The Blake Works, a dynamic collection of works set to the music of James Blake and including new barre training-inspired iterations choreographed remotely during the pandemic;
- August Bournonville’s La Sylphide, a classically tragic Romantic-era ballet following a Scottish farmer who becomes captivated by a mystical sylph, exemplifying the conflict between the mortal and the supernatural;
- Helgi Tomasson and Yuri Possokhov’s Don Quixote, a story ballet of equal parts passion and comedy, featuring physical humor, action and adventure, and sensational choreography; and
- The return of Aszure Barton and Floating Points’ monumental hit Mere Mortals, reimagining the ancient tale of Pandora’s Jar through the lens of artificial intelligence with a fully immersive sensory experience.
“As SF Ballet’s repertoire continues to evolve and expand, we invite audiences to experience a season representing the best ballet has to offer, with our world-class dancers bringing to life a dynamic range of classical and contemporary choreography and stories capturing everything from the drama of the everyday to the mythic and ethereal,” said Tamara Rojo, Artistic Director of SF Ballet. “In addition to our commission of a new Onegin launching the season, we are thrilled to offer another chance to experience the AI-inspired Mere Mortals, and will continue to share this spirit of innovation and excellence beyond the Opera House stage as we bring the company across the country and the world.”
Touring
Following a successful tour to Madrid’s Teatro Real last fall, SF Ballet has thus far announced 25/26 Season tours to Southern California, including Orange County’s Segerstrom Center for the Arts and LA’s Hollywood Bowl. Additional touring engagements both in the United States and internationally will be announced soon.
50th Anniversary of SF Ballet Orchestra
The 25/26 Season marks a milestone anniversary for the Grammy Award-winning San Francisco Ballet Orchestra, which has performed classical and contemporary music at the highest level to the city for the past 50 years, performing alongside SF Ballet’s dancers at the War Memorial Opera House and beyond. Led by Music Director & Principal Conductor Martin West, who is celebrating his 20th anniversary at the helm in September 2025, the orchestra has been recognized internationally as one of the foremost ballet orchestras in the world. Events and activations celebrating this milestone will be announced later this year.
Notable orchestral performances this season will include the world premiere of a score by Ilya Demutsky for Possokhov’s Onegin, as well as the return of Sam Shepherd’s (aka Floating Points) original score for Mere Mortals, featuring Shepherd in-person.
Creation House
As part of its longstanding mission to foster innovation, the development of new works, and rising choreographic talent, San Francisco Ballet continues to provide a broad portfolio of career-enhancing opportunities through Creation House, the choreographic initiative launched in 2024 for SF Ballet company members, SF Ballet School students, and guest artists.
New to the initiative is the creation of a multi-year Creation House Associate Choreographer program, which the Ballet has awarded to soloist Myles Thatcher as its inaugural recipient. Thatcher began creating new work as a Trainee at SF Ballet School and has since gone on to create works for the School, SF Ballet’s Repertory Season (most recently 2023’s COLORFORMS), The Joffrey Ballet, New York City Ballet, and more over the past 15 years. The new role will offer sustained mentorship, training, external choreographic observations, and commissioning opportunities.
Roster
Beginning with the 25/26 Season, SF Ballet is implementing demi soloist and first soloist ranks within the existing company structure. This organizational expansion offers company dancers increased opportunity for artistic development and a clear ladder of career progression during their time at SF Ballet, highlighting the institution’s commitment to artistic excellence and growth.
SF Ballet also celebrates the promotions of Soloist Cavan Conley to Principal Dancer; Soloists Katherine Barkman and Joshua Jack Price to First Soloists; Corps de Ballet members Jihyun Choi, Luca Ferrò, Nathaniel Remez, Mingxuan Wang, and Seojeong Yun to Soloists; and Corps de Ballet members Thamires Chuvas, Dylan Pierzina, Simone Pompignoli, Alexis Francisco Valdes, and Adrian Zeisel to Demi Soloists; plus the appointment of Francesco Gabriele Frola (English National Ballet), Patricio Revé (Queensland Ballet), and Madeline Woo (Royal Swedish Ballet) as Principal Dancers and Ángel García Molinero (Boston Ballet) as a Soloist.
Additionally, all SF Ballet Apprentices from the 24/25 Season — Maya Chandrashekaran, Carlota Cruz, Emmitt Friedman, Justin-Cooper Meeks, Benjamin Taber, and Juliana Wilder — have been promoted to the corps de ballet. Six SF Ballet School Trainees have been named Apprentices for the 25/26 Season: Anna Chaziroglou, Logi Gudmundsson, Aaliyahmarie Key, Logan Shaw, Amelia Soh, and Asher Stephenson. The roster is effective beginning July 1, 2025.
SF Ballet’s 25/26 Season Materials
2025–2026 Company Roster
2025–2026 Season Calendar
2025–2026 Season Credits
2025–2026 Season Photos
Nutcracker
December 5–28, 2025
On Christmas Eve 1944, SF Ballet made history with the American premiere of Nutcracker, launching a national holiday tradition that continues to enchant audiences today. Set in 1915 San Francisco during the Panama-Pacific International Exposition, Helgi Tomasson’s Nutcracker takes place in a city celebrating a new age of technology and international collaboration, much like the San Francisco of today.
SF Ballet will host its fourth annual Sensory Friendly Performance of Nutcracker on Sunday, December 28 at 11 am, in partnership with Autism Society SF Bay Area, creating a welcoming space where neurodiverse audiences of all ages and abilities can experience the wonder of Nutcracker in a relaxed setting.
2026 Opening Night Gala
January 21, 2026
SF Ballet will host its 93rd Season Opening Night Gala on January 21, 2026, featuring a one-night-only performance of special excerpts and audience favorites from the 25/26 Season and beyond, along with a fundraising dinner and after party at San Francisco City Hall. Additional details to be announced at a later date.
Eugene Onegin
January 23—February 1, 2026
Onegin is a richly layered and deeply human exploration of love, regret, and the heart’s fragility. Resident Choreographer Yuri Possokhov’s world premiere brings new depth to Alexander Pushkin’s classic, where a single choice alters the course of a life. Set in the final days of imperial Russia, this cautionary tale follows a jaded aristocrat forced to face the weight of his choices after a fateful encounter with the earnest Tatiana.
This major co-production with The Joffrey Ballet is a bold collaboration featuring an original score by Fulbright Scholar and Golden Mask Award-winner Ilya Demutsky, costume design by Academy Award-winner Tim Yip, striking sets by Olivier Award-nominated Tom Pye, and a libretto by Valeriy Pecheykin. A monumental experience for a modern audience, Onegin is an expression of Possokhov’s unique ability to blend contemporary choreography with classical tradition.
Balanchine: Father of American Ballet
February 10–15, 2026
A tribute to the driving force behind modern ballet in America, ‘Balanchine’ showcases George Balanchine’s artistic evolution in three iconic works. Diamonds is a reflection of the choreographer’s training in the Russian tradition and a deep knowledge of classical technique. Serenade — the first ballet Balanchine created for American dancers — captures the emotional depth and innovative drive of his early time in the United States. Stars and Stripes, joyful and patriotic, was made as a tribute to the vitality of the American spirit.
‘Balanchine’ is set to scores by Tchaikovsky and Sousa, orchestrated by Hershy Kay. Each ballet offers a look into one of the 20th century’s greatest choreographers, celebrating Balanchine’s legacy of technical mastery and artistic vision.
Forsythe’s The Blake Works
February 27—March 8, 2026
In an electrifying series that pushes the limits of contemporary ballet, ‘The Blake Works’ sets William Forsythe’s fascinating choreography to the multi-layered music of Grammy Award-winning artist James Blake. ‘The Blake Works’ reimagines ballet with striking movement and a deep connection to music, featuring the pieces Prologue, The Barre Project, and Blake Works I. High-energy, dynamic, and rhythmically driven, this program launches ballet into new territory. Forsythe’s hallmark deconstructed aesthetic will be on full display.
‘The Blake Works’ marks the SF Ballet premiere of Forsythe’s latest works presented alongside audience-favorite material in a first-of-its-kind North American program and a true celebration of Forsythe’s innovative spirit.
Don Quixote
March 19–29, 2026
A whirlwind of fiery dancing and playful wit, Don Quixote is ballet’s original romantic comedy. Inspired by Cervantes’ classic novel, this energetic production brings the streets of Spain to life with bold characters, dazzling choreography, and a love story that steals the spotlight. Choreographed by Helgi Tomasson and Yuri Possokhov and packed with passion, humor, and spectacular dancing, Don Quixote is a family-friendly ballet experience for all ages.
La Sylphide
April 10–16, 2026
La Sylphide continues to captivate audiences nearly 200 years after its debut with timeless themes of human nature still relatable today. When James, a young Scottish farmer, falls under the spell of a mystical sylph, he risks everything to follow her into an enchanted world, only to learn the devastating price of chasing the unattainable. With its signature Romantic era enchantment complete with misty woodland scenes and a tutu-clad corps de ballet, La Sylphide is a hauntingly beautiful classic tale of love and illusion.
Mere Mortals
April 24—May 3, 2026
Inspired by the Greek myth of Pandora’s Jar, Mere Mortals explores society’s relationship with artificial intelligence and its boundless potential, as well as the unforeseen consequences of progress. A fully immersive sensory experience, music and movement unite within a captivating environment of light and video. Originally commissioned for Artistic Director Tamara Rojo’s inaugural season, the program returns in 2026 as a fusion of electronic music, festival culture, and contemporary ballet.
Mere Mortals merges the bold choreography of Aszure Barton with the visionary music of composer Floating Points, who performs live alongside the SF Ballet Orchestra at every performance.
SF Ballet School Spring Festival
May 2026
Catch a glimpse of the next generation of dancers in San Francisco’s iconic War Memorial Opera House. This gala-style event supports SF Ballet School’s scholarship and financial aid programs, bringing the most promising rising talent to the stage. Additional details to be announced at a later date.
About San Francisco Ballet
San Francisco Ballet, led by Artistic Director Tamara Rojo, is a world-leading ballet company and a trailblazing commissioner, collaborator, and presenter in dance. With a deep commitment to new and contemporary works and the classical repertoire, SF Ballet is a catalyst for the future of ballet, investing in commissions and acquisitions; presenting established and emerging choreographers with a breadth of viewpoints; uplifting dancers, artists, and creatives across disciplines; and cultivating the next generation of the world’s top dancers in its School.