Forsythe’s
Tiny Dances: Swan Lake
November 7 – 8
A new way to fall in love with ballet, made just for little ones
Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Antonio Castilla
After Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov
Jens-Jacob Worsaae
David Robinson
Javier Galitó-Cava
Julia Rowe and Wei Wang in Barton and Shepherd’s Mere Mortals // (c) Photog name
Performance One – 49min
Intermission – 20min
Performance Two – 36min
War Memorial Opera House
Tiny Dances is SF Ballet’s new family programming series, designed to introduce children ages 2 to 8 to the magic of live ballet through shorter performances in warm, relaxed settings. Whether it’s a child’s very first time in a theater setting or a family’s return to a favorite tradition, Tiny Dances is built to welcome everyone.
Now Debuting: Tiny Dances Swan Lake
Our inaugural Tiny Dances production brings a beloved classic to life in a whole new way. Reimagined for young audiences by SF Ballet Associate Artistic Director Antonio Castilla, this abbreviated version of Swan Lake features simplified storytelling and an onstage narrator to guide children through the tale, all while keeping the beauty and spectacle of the original.
The production is performed at the Palace of Fine Arts Theater featuring SF Ballet School’s pre-professional Trainees and Level 8 students, giving the next generation of dancers valuable performance experience as they prepare for careers on stage.
Designed for Every Family
Each run of performances includes a dedicated sensory-friendly performance, with modified lighting and sound, a relaxed house environment, and quiet spaces available throughout the venue. Every show also features pre- and post-show lobby activities, character photo opportunities, and an optional VIP package with special access.
Act I – 30 min
Intermission – 20min
Act II – 30 min
Palace of Fine Arts
3301 Lyon St
San Francisco, CA 94123
Programming, casting, and prices are subject to change.
Sensory Friendly Tiny Dances
Saturday, November 7, 3PM
San Francisco Ballet’s sensory friendly performances are designed to create a welcoming experience for guests of all ages with autism, sensory input disorders, sensory sensitivities, or other physical, cognitive, or developmental disabilities, and their families, friends, and caretakers. In collaboration with our community partners from Autism Society San Francisco Bay Area, SF Ballet has made special accommodations to the performance and theater-going experience to make neurodiverse audiences feel welcome to enjoy the performance in a fun and accepting environment.
What makes this performance sensory friendly?
- Audience members are invited to come to the performance and be themselves! Talking and vocalizing is accepted. Fidget tools, noise-reducing headphones, comfort items, devices, and other sensory tools are allowed inside the theater during the performance.
- House lights will remain on at a low level throughout the entirety of the performance.
- Some loud sounds and startling moments are modified for this performance.
- A quiet area will be available for audience members who may need to take a break from the performance.
- Access to social stories and resource materials.
- ASL interpreted performance.
- Audio description upon request.
- [Might add additional points based on site visits on 8/4 and 8/6 – designated movement area? accessible family restrooms? Closed or open caption? Assistive listening devices?]
Although the Sensory Friendly Performance is adapted specifically to accommodate individuals with special needs and/or sensory sensitivities, the general public is welcome to attend. All patrons are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the adjustments of the Sensory Friendly Performance in order to help create a welcoming and accommodating environment for all audience members.
The ENCHANTED PASS PACKAGE
Available for all performances
Enhance your experience with the Enchanted Pass package that makes this an unforgettable family-fun day. Each Enchanted Pass ticket includes the following at the Palace of Fine Arts Theatre:
- One Premium Reserved Seat: Enjoy the performance from some of the best seats in the auditorium.
- VIP Character Meet and Greet: Arrive early and bring your camera for an exclusive opportunity to take a photo with a Tiny Dances costume character. The VIP line for the pre-performance meet-and-greet starts 90 minutes before showtime and closes promptly 45 minutes before the show.
- Early Access Priority Entrance: Skip the lines with early access to the hands-on activities and concessions in the lobby. Doors open 90 minutes before showtime for Enchanted Pass ticket holders. Doors open 30 minutes before showtime for patrons without an Enchanted Pass.
- Keepsake Lanyard: Each Enchanted Pass ticket holder will receive an exclusive Tiny Dances lanyard.
- Enchanted Pass Gift: For children 12 and under with an Enchanted Pass.
- [Might add additional benefits based on site visits on 8/4 and 8/6 – Drink and sweet treat? Pre-order concessions for intermission? VIP area pre-show and intermission? VIP restrooms?]
To access the Enchanted Pass areas, each attendee must have their own Enchanted Pass ticket. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Limited availability for each performance. Enchanted Pass gift and lanyard must be picked up at the venue on the day of the performance at the Enchanted Pass table. Additional Enchanted Pass instructions and details will be emailed at least 3 days prior to the performance.
Special Offers
season packages
Pick Eugene Onegin and one other program and save up to 20% off the single ticket price* with a CYO Duet package.
*Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
season packages
Pick Eugene Onegin and one other program and save up to 20% off the single ticket price* with a CYO Duet package.
*Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
single tickets
Plan a night to remember with single performance tickets. Limited-time offers available* – including student, senior, and group discounts. Treat yourself to an evening of artistry and elegance.
30% off the following dates:
Saturday January 24 – 8PM
Saturday January 24 – 2PM (MAT)
Sunday January 25 – 8PM
*Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Plan your visit
San Francisco Ballet’s inaugural Tiny Dances: Swan Lake will be held at the Palace of Fine Arts.
Palace of Fine Arts
3301 Lyon St
San Francisco, CA 94123
Directions
Click here to get directions with Google Maps
Parking
Parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis along Palace Drive. Additional metered event parking is located in the triangle lot along Palace Drive.
Garage parking can be found across the street at the Letterman Digital Arts Garage.
ADA parking is located to the left and right of our main entrance.
Transit Options
The Palace of Fine Arts Theatre has convenient access to public transportation. We are accessible by San Francisco Muni buses #30, #43, #28, and #29. Muni bus lines #22, #41, and #45 also stop in the vicinity. From Fisherman’s Wharf, take the #30 Stockton bus. For more information, call Muni at (415) 673-6864 or check the SFMTA trip planner.
If you’re taking BART, get off at the Montgomery Street station, walk one half-block up Market Street to Third Street, and catch the #30 Stockton bus on the corner.
Virtually all downtown-bound Golden Gate Transit buses stop near the Theatre. Ask your driver for directions or call Golden Gate Transit Information at 511 (toll-free) or 415-455-2000 (outside the Bay Area).
What’s the VIP Experience?
Yes, upon entering through the double-doors, there’ll be a place for you to park your stroller.
Patrons may bring bags into the auditorium, but they must fit under the seat or on the patron’s lap (approximately 14”x14”x6”).
Food and drink are available on site. Drinks are allowed inside the theatre with permitted lids. No outside food or beverages are allowed.
Casting & Credits
FRI JAN 23 - 8PM
Find out which dancers will take the stage in the current productions at San Francisco Ballet. Please note Casting subject to change.
Conductor
Martin West
Dores André, Max Cauthorn, Frances Chung, Cavan Conley, Nikisha Fogo, Esteban Hernández,Jasmine Jimison, Victor Prigent, Archie Sullivan, Wei Wang
Sir Wayne McGregor
Joby Talbot and Jack White III
Joby Talbot
Christopher Austin by arrangement with Chester Music
John Pawson
Moritz Junge
Lucy Carter
Antoine Vereecken
November 7, 2026—San Francisco Ballet, Palace of Fine Arts Theatre; San Francisco, California
SUPPORT FOR San Francisco Ballet PROUDLY PROVIDED BY
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