DANCE IN THE AFTERNOON

Rock, Roll & Tutus - Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 1:30 PM

Sylvia - Saturday, March 7, 2026 at 1:30 PM

Giselle - Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 1:30 PM

Rock, Roll & Tutus

Experience an exciting mixed repertory program that blends classic rock, contemporary movement, and powerful ensemble work. Renowned choreographer Brett Ishida returns with her 2024 work, what i was thinking while i was waltzing, a raw and realistic story elevated by bold costume design. Soloist Jacquelyn Long’s Illuminate, originally created for the 2023 Jubilee of Dance, is a lyrical exploration of inspiration and creativity. Christopher Bruce’s Rooster, set to iconic Rolling Stones tracks like “Paint It, Black” and “Sympathy for the Devil,” channels the swagger and spirit of the 1960s through playful, fast-paced choreography with a satirical edge. Rounding out the program is Stanton Welch’s Vi et animo, a grand, company-wide showcase of technical mastery and emotional depth, set to Tchaikovsky’s powerful Piano Concerto No. 1.

Sylvia

Three women. Two worlds. One epic story of love. Stanton Welch’s Sylvia blends Greek mythology into a powerful story of love where three fierce women drive the narrative: Sylvia, the fearless huntress; Artemis, the commanding goddess; and Psyche, the compassionate mortal. Anchoring the tale, Sylvia is struck by Eros’ arrow, causing her to fall in love with a mortal shepherd. Welch’s multilayered narrative dives between mythical and human realms as the three heroines journey on their own path to love, leading to a tale of mayhem, mischief, magic, and romance. Underscoring it all is Léo Delibes’ masterful score, which Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky once praised for its “charm, elegance, richness of melody, rhythm, and harmony.”  

Giselle

Stanton Welch’s reimagined version of one of ballet’s most revered works, Giselle, is a cornerstone of 19th-century Romanticism. Giselle tells the heart-wrenching story of a peasant girl tragically betrayed by an aristocrat posing as a commoner. Premiering in 2016, Welch’s fresh interpretation for Houston Ballet draws upon the unedited 1941 version of Adolphe Adam’s score, expanding the narrative to offer dancers greater emotional depth in their roles. Giselle is brought to life by acclaimed Italian designer Roberta Guidi di Bagno through stunning sets and costumes. While the original 1841 version by Marius Petipa is a hallmark of classical ballet for its groundbreaking storytelling and psychological depth, Giselle also holds a special place in Houston Ballet’s history. In 1967, a one-night-only performance by Nina Popova’s ballet school ignited the city’s passion for ballet, ultimately leading to the founding of Houston Ballet in 1969.