NEVADA BALLET THEATRE PRESENTS
WITH GEORGE BALANCHINE’S SERENADE
FEATURING THE LAS VEGAS PHILHARMONIC AND THE LAS VEGAS MASTER SINGERS
Production Assets:
Carmina Burana Production Images
LAS VEGAS, NV (Monday, September 14, 2026) – Nevada Ballet Theatre (NBT) is pleased to announce its 2026-2027 Season opening production, the return of the powerful and passionate CARMINA BURANA, by renowned choreographer Nicolo Fonte. Illuminated with orchestra by the Las Vegas Philharmonic conducted by Eric McAllister, and chorus by the Las Vegas Master Singers, this rousing production comes to life on The Smith Center stage for three performances on Friday, October 2 at 7:30 pm, Saturday, October 3 at 7:30 pm, and Sunday, October 4 at 2 pm. Tickets for this highly anticipated production are on sale now and may be purchased by calling The Smith Center box office at 702-749-2000 or visiting www.nevadaballet.org. Group experiences are also available for 10 or more and include priority seating and special discounts.
The ultimate spectacle of dance, orchestra, and operatic voices, Carmina Burana captures the breadth and beauty of dance and theatricality in one breathtaking production. Debuting in 2017 with all-new sets, costumes, and choreography as part of an exciting co-production between Ballet West and Cincinnati Ballet, Nicolo Fonte’s daring reimagining of this acclaimed work has been in demand since it first premiered. “We are looking forward to bringing back Nicolo Fonte’s celebrated version of Carmina Burana,” said Artistic Director Roy Kaiser. “This is an extraordinary production that brings together brilliant stagecraft, beautiful music, and unforgettable choreography.”
Based on a collection of medieval poems, Carmina Burana was composed in the early 1930’s by Carl Orff and has grown to become one of the most popular pieces in the classical musical repertoire. Throughout the decades, its signature piece, O Fortuna, has garnered worldwide recognition through film, television, and commercials. Hailed as “beautiful, gripping, and dynamic,” this remarkable production features the Las Vegas Philharmonic and an immense chorus from the Las Vegas Master Singers placed in a magnificent set structure high above the dancers. Soloists Melissa Heath (Soprano), Christopher Clayton (Baritone), and Christopher Puckett (Tenor), will join NBT’s professional company on stage as they become immersed in the choreography while singing.
Plus – Serenade
In addition to Carmina Burana, this exciting weekend will open with Serenade, one of Balanchine's most meaningful and historical works. Set to Tchaikovsky’s “Serenade for Strings,” it contains four movements: "Sonatina," "Waltz," "Russian Dance" and "Elegy.” Considered “a milestone in the history of dance,” this beautiful work originated from an evening ballet class where Mr. Balanchine taught his students the differences between class work and stage technique; even incorporating spontaneous rehearsal "mishaps" into the work, such as a dancer falling or a student arriving late to class. Since its premiere in 1934, it continues to be performed by companies across the globe.
ABOUT NEVADA BALLET THEATRE
For over five decades, Nevada Ballet Theatre (NBT) has enriched the lives of the people of Las Vegas through professional Ballet productions, an affiliated School offering the highest level of dance training, and outstanding education programs for underserved youth. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit performing arts organization and the largest professional ballet company and dance school in the state, NBT has been a cultural force since its first performance over 50 years ago. The mission of Nevada Ballet Theatre is to educate and inspire statewide, regional, and national audiences and vitally impact community life through professional company productions, dance training, and Community Education Programs. Nevada Ballet Theatre is the Resident Ballet Company of The Smith Center for the Performing Arts.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Jenn Kratochwill, Senior Director of Communications & Community Development
702-858-4004/jkratochwill@nevadaballet.org
26/27 SEASON AT A GLANCE:
Click here for 26.27 Season Brochure
CARMINA BURANA AND SERENADE
October 2-4, 2026 • The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, Reynolds Hall
Music by Carl Orff • Choreography by Nicolo Fonte
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Serenade
At once, George Balanchine’s Serenade gently and swiftly fans the flames to ignite an emotional journey. Set to Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings, this Balanchine masterpiece is ethereal and touching in its classic elegance and command of form, known for suspending audiences in its spectacular embrace.
Carmina Burana
O Fortuna! Revel in pure artistic spectacle as NBT’s gorgeous dancers, a full orchestra, and a choir of operatic voices come together in a towering program of Carmina Burana. The extravaganza of ballet, music and vocal talents pierce the soul and envelop the audience in a stirring and profound experience.
GEORGE BALANCHINE’S THE NUTCRACKER®
December 12 – 27, 2026 • The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, Reynolds Hall
Music by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky • Choreography by George Balanchine
Featuring Las Vegas Philharmonic on Dec. 12 & 13
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Balanchine’s time-honored holiday classic returns after a magnificent debut with NBT in 2025. The generations-held holiday tradition returns with the gorgeous and sweeping precision of his brilliance against impressive scenic design, imaginative costumes and loads of holiday spirit. NBT presents George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker® featuring his renowned choreography and a mixed media production that elevates the storytelling. Cherished characters including Dewdrop, The Sugarplum Fairy, Mother Ginger and her Polichinelles, and Divertissements like Coffee, Tea, and Hot Chocolate, lead young Marie Stahlbaum and her Nutcracker Prince through The Land of the Sweets for a journey of pure imagination and childlike wonder. Tchaikovsky’s towering and timeless score highlights the on-stage magic.
BALANCHINE & KYLIÁN
February 20-21, 2026 • The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, Reynolds Hall
Concerto Barocco Music by Johann Sebastian Bach • Choreography by George Balanchine
Duo Concertant: Music by Igor Stravinsky • Choreography by George Balanchine
Sechs Tänze: Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart • Choreography by Jiří Kylián
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This exciting program pairs the exploratory style of Kylián’s work with the weightiness and expansiveness of George Balanchine’s legendary choreographed works in a dramatic presentation. Jiří Kylián is recognized as one of the most beloved and influential Czech modern dance choreographers, celebrated for his extensive body of work created during his tenure as artistic director of the prestigious Nederlands Dans Theater. NBT is proud to present his work for the first time in The Company’s history.
ALICE (IN WONDERLAND)
April 9-18, 2027 • The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, Reynolds Hall
Music by Matthew Pierce • Choreography by Septime Webre
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Fanciful, family-friendly, and bursting with amplified hues, Alice and friends invite you to unabashedly dive down the rabbit hole into a vibrant, madcap adventure through Lewis Carroll’s outlandish and jaw-dropping tale. Take a seat at the table with enchanting characters, flamboyant, and surreal, in this over-the-top Wonderland. Revealing an array of movement styles, from traditional ballet to modern to hip hop, you’ll be enveloped in rhapsodic color and choreography. Featuring sixty students from the School of Nevada Ballet alongside the professional company.
NBT DANCE LAB
May 5 – May 8, 2026 • Troesh Studio Theater
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NBT Dance Lab creates an environment where choreographers, selected from around the world, benefit from the opportunity to collaborate with professional dancers from NBT, and promising young music composers in collaboration with the UNLV School of Music. Aimed at providing a creative nexus for exploration, discovery, and sharing of ideas by all the artists involved, Dance Lab exists to offer artists the space and artistic community to contribute their work to th
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