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Experience a season filled with captivating stories, world premieres, and innovative collaborations of art and music. Join us for a cultural tour de force of unforgettable dance performances, complemented by an exciting lineup of in-studio programming, thought-provoking arts talks, special events, and the launch of an interactive social media series.
LANTERNS & LEGENDS
A SLEEPY HOLLOW AFFAIR | THEMED SEASON KICK-OFF
Historic Arkansas Museum | October 3, 2025 | 6:00 - 9:00 pm General Admission | 5:30 pm VIP Reception
Hosted by the Ballet Arkansas Board of Directors, Lanterns & Legends celebrates the company’s enduring legacy as the region’s premier professional dance organization. On Friday, October 3rd, from 6:00 to 9:00 pm, the grounds of the Historic Arkansas Museum will be transformed into the haunting township of Sleepy Hollow for an immersive evening of art, atmosphere, and celebration.
Guests will enjoy a lively cocktail reception with live music, curated libations, and themed culinary creations. The evening features spellbinding preview performances from Ballet Arkansas’s highly acclaimed production of Sleepy Hollow, returning by popular demand to the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, October 9–12. Attendees will also explore a festive array of spirited experiences including fortune telling, storytelling, vintage games, and more. A special announcement from the Artistic Staff will round out the evening. VIP guests will receive prime seating and access to an intimate pre-event reception.
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THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW
AN EERIE TALE OF FOLKLORE IN MOTION | AMFA MUSEUM SERIES
Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts | October 9 - 12, 2025
K-12 Student Matinee Performance Available
Thursday, October 9 @ 7:00 pm
Friday, October 10 @ 7:00 pm
Saturday, October 11 @ 10:30am (children's production) 2:00 and 7:00 pm
Sunday, October 12 @ 2:00 pm
​Back by popular demand, our critically acclaimed Sleepy Hollow returns with all its gothic grandeur. This riveting adaptation of Washington Irving’s legendary tale blends bold choreography with historical drama—perfect for audiences of all ages. Step into a shadowy world where superstition reigns and every rustle of autumn leaves hints at danger. With sweeping visuals, hauntingly beautiful movement, and a powerful score, Sleepy Hollow transforms a timeless American ghost story into an edge-of-your-seat ballet experience. From the mysterious allure of the Headless Horseman to the richly atmospheric staging, this production delivers thrills, elegance, and spine-tingling storytelling like no other.
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"Amazing!"
"I was on the edge of my seat the whole time"
"Innovating Storytelling at its finest"
"The whole family loved it"
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THE NUTCRACKER SPECTACULAR WITH THE ASO
ARKANSAS' LARGEST HOLIDAY PRODUCTION | ROBINSON CENTER FAMILY SERIES
Supported by the Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau
Robinson Center | December 12-14, 2025
K-12 Student Matinee Performance Available
Friday, December 12 @ 7:30 pm
Saturday, December 13 @ 2:30 pm and 7:30 pm
Sunday, December 14 @ 2:30 pm​
**All public performances feature live music by the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. Evening performances feature specialty themed libations for sale, courtesy of Doubletree of Little Rock. For all ticket inquiries, please contact Robinson Center Box Office at 501-244-8800 or visit the Box Office inside Robinson Center at 426 W Markham St, Little Rock, AR 72201.
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“The Nutcracker Spectacular” is Arkansas’s largest and longest-running holiday production, presented with live music by the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and supported by the Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau. As one of America's Top 75 Ballet Companies, Ballet Arkansas brings this beloved holiday tradition to life with stunning choreography, enchanting music, and dazzling costumes and sets. Don't forget to stop by the Nutcracker Boutique to take a piece of the production home with you! Features a community cast of performers.
LAND OF THE SWEETS NUTCRACKER TEA
Robinson Center | December 13-14, 2025
Saturday, December 13 @ 11:30 am​
Sunday, December 14 @ 11:30 am
The “Land of the Sweets Nutcracker Tea” is one of Little Rock’s most anticipated holiday events. Guests will be transported to the “Land of the Sweets” where they’ll enjoy teatime, activities, a storybook reading, and an exclusive performance from Clara, the Sugar Plum Fairy, and characters from the “The Nutcracker Spectacular.” Perfect for families, the Nutcracker Tea is a magical experience unlike any other.​
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AT HOME STUDIO SERIES - ORIGINS: A NEW WORKS CELEBRATION
EXPERIENCE BALLET LIKE NEVER BEFORE - INTIMATE, RAW, AND ELECTRIFYING
Ballet Arkansas Studio Stage
Friday January 23 @ 7:00 pm
Saturday, January 24 @ 7:00 pm
Set in Ballet Arkansas’s newly renovated black box theater, this intimate mixed repertory program showcases original works created by the Company Artists of BA. Audiences are invited into an immersive setting where the line between performer and viewer fades, offering a rare, up-close experience of bold creations. Every breath, every movement, and every moment is brought to life just feet away, making for a powerful and unforgettable evening of dance. With a curated menu of drinks and bites, it’s more than a performance—it’s a visceral experience that will leave you breathless. Limited seating. Limitless impact. Libations and small plates available for purchase.
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WORLD PREMIERE OF CINDERELLA
CLASSICAL BALLET'S COMEDIC GEM | ROBINSON CENTER FAMILY SERIES
Supported by the Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau
Robinson Center | February 20-22, 2026
K-12 Student Matinee Performance Available
Friday, February 20 @ 7:30 pm
Saturday, February 21 @ 2:30 pm and 7:30 pm
Sunday, February 22 @ 2:30 pm
​This grand-scale reimagining of Cinderella brings dazzling new life to the beloved fairytale. Featuring all-new sets and costumes, Prokofiev’s sweeping score, and a cast that blends the brilliance of professional artists with the charm of local talent, this laugh-out-loud, heartwarming spectacle is a feast for the senses. Audiences of all ages will be enchanted by this visually stunning production, where magic dances through every scene—from the glittering ballroom to the comically chaotic stepsisters. With breathtaking choreography, whimsical storytelling, and heartfelt moments that resonate across generations, Cinderella at the Robinson Center is more than a performance—it’s a joy-filled celebration of love, hope, and transformation. Features a community cast of performers.
THE GLASS SLIPPER TEA - A CINDERELLA SOIRÉE
Robinson Center | February 21-22, 2026
Saturday, February 21 @ 11:30 am​
Sunday, February 22 @ 11:00 am
Step into a fairytale world at the Glass Slipper Tea – A Cinderella Soirée, a charming companion event to Ballet Arkansas’s beloved production of Cinderella. Perfect for families and young dreamers alike, this magical afternoon invites guests to enjoy teatime treats, royal activities, a special storybook reading, and an exclusive performance by Cinderella and her friends from the stage.
Set in an atmosphere of whimsy and wonder, the event brings the enchantment of the ballet to life—up close and personal. With appearances by costumed characters and plenty of photo-worthy moments, it’s a celebration of joy, kindness, and a touch of magic.​
ICONS OF AMERICAN DANCE
GROUNDBREAKING WORKS THAT SHAPED A NATION | AMFA MUSEUM SERIES
Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts | April 16-17, 2026 | Featuring international piano sensation, Fei-Fei Dong​
Thursday, April 16 @ 7:00 pm
Friday, April 17 @ 7:00 pm ​
In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States, ICONS honors the trailblazing choreographers who revolutionized American dance. This mixed repertory program features a lineup of masterworks and Americana-infused world premieres that pay tribute to the nation’s enduring creative spirit. From the raw innovation of modern pioneers to bold contemporary voices shaping the future of the art form, ICONS captures the rhythm of a nation through movement. Set against a backdrop of American history and cultural evolution, the program showcases the diverse styles, stories, and visionary artists who defined—and continue to redefine—what it means to dance in America.
THE ARKANSAS PREMIERE OF GISELLE
HAUNTINGLY BEAUTIFUL, CLASSICALLY EPIC | AMFA MUSEUM SERIES ​
Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts | April 18-19, 2026
K-12 Student Matinee Performance Available
Saturday, April 18 @ 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm
Sunday, April 19 @ 2:00 pm
​​​The season concludes with the Arkansas premiere of Giselle, the crown jewel of the Romantic ballet era. Renowned for its haunting beauty, emotional depth, and technical rigor, this full-length production sets a new standard for classical performance in the region. An unforgettable finale to a landmark season. With ethereal choreography, a sweeping score, and a tale of love, betrayal, and redemption beyond the grave, Giselle invites audiences into a world where the supernatural and the sublime intertwine. This poignant masterpiece challenges dancers and captivates viewers with its exquisite artistry and heart-wrenching storytelling. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to experience one of ballet’s most treasured works—performed at the height of Ballet Arkansas’s artistic excellence. Features a community cast of performers.
CREATIVE PARTNERS
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