NASHVILLE BALLET’S NEW SEASON IS A STUDY IN ROMANCE, DRAMA, AND THEATRICAL STYLE

From the gothic allure of Giselle to the vivid pageantry of Día de los Muertos and the elegance of Cinderella, Nashville Ballet’s 2026–27 lineup reads like a season-long wardrobe of moods, silhouettes, and stagecraft.

Nashville Ballet’s newly announced 2026–27 season, Movement Taking Form, arrives with the kind of range that fashion editors might call a master class in contrast: romantic yet modern, opulent yet intimate, classical yet unmistakably current. Under the direction of Artistic Director and CEO Nick Mullikin, the company’s latest lineup moves confidently between heritage works and contemporary statements, building a season that feels as much about atmosphere and identity as it does about technique.

Across Live in Studio A, Giselle, Día de los Muertos, Nashville’s Nutcracker, Cinderella, and Attitude, the season unfolds like a carefully styled portfolio: one moment crystalline and classical, the next richly textured and emotionally daring. The throughline is transformation—how an idea becomes a performance, how tradition is recut for the present, and how movement can shape not only a story, but a point of view.

“This season begins with a sense of possibility,” said Mullikin. “Movement Taking Form reflects where Nashville Ballet is as a company and where we are going. It is about the point when ideas stop living only in conversation and begin to take shape on stage through discipline, artistry, and shared purpose. I chose works that highlight the versatility of our artists and reflect the full range of what ballet can be. This season honors the classical foundation of the art form while making space for new voices, bold creation, and the kind of momentum that helps define a company’s future.”

The season opens with Live in Studio A (Sept. 11–20, 2026) at The Martin Center for Nashville Ballet, an intimate program that promises the kind of close-up perspective usually reserved for atelier fittings and backstage rehearsals. Anchored by George Balanchine’s Allegro Brillante, set to music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, the evening balances classical polish with new works by the company’s artistic team and dancers, including a selection inspired by Dorian Gray—a reference that brings a note of decadent literary glamour to the mix.

In October, Mullikin unveils a reimagined full-length Giselle (Oct. 2–4, 2026) at TPAC’s Polk Theater, performed live with The Nashville Symphony. Long beloved for its spectral romanticism, the ballet returns to Nashville’s main stage for the first time in more than a decade with refreshed choreography and a darker emotional palette. Think sweeping white tulle, folklore, betrayal, and the haunting precision of the Wilis—a classic silhouette recast with sharper edges.

Later that month, Día de los Muertos (Oct. 28–Nov. 1, 2026), choreographed by Maria A. Konrad, returns to The Martin Center for Nashville Ballet after a sold-out run in 2024. Inspired by Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, the work folds visual art, cultural tradition, and contemporary movement into a production that feels lush, saturated, and alive with symbolism. It is easily the season’s most painterly offering—an evening where color, memory, and motion share the spotlight.

The holiday centerpiece is Paul Vasterling’s Nashville’s Nutcracker (Nov. 27–Dec. 27, 2026) at TPAC’s Jackson Hall, performed live by The Nashville Symphony. Set against the 1897 Tennessee Centennial Exposition, this Emmy Award-winning production transforms a beloved classic into a distinctly local spectacle, complete with historical flair, fantasy, and the kind of grand theatricality that never goes out of style.

Then comes Cinderella (Feb. 26–28, 2027), returning to TPAC’s Jackson Hall with choreography by Paul Vasterling and music by Sergei Prokofiev, performed live by The Nashville Symphony. If Giselle brings the season’s shadows, Cinderella delivers its radiance: all transformation, elegance, and theatrical sweep, with a heroine whose story still resonates because it understands that reinvention is its own kind of power dressing.

The season closes with Attitude (May 7–9, 2027) at TPAC’s Polk Theater, a contemporary ballet program that leans fully into edge, momentum, and modern expression. Following three standing-ovation performances in 2025, the showcase brings back Mullikin’s Erase the Night, adds a world premiere by Marika Brussel, and includes works such as Ulysses Dove’s Red Angels. The result promises a finale with real fashion-week energy: sleek, bold, and designed to leave an impression.

Taken together, Movement Taking Form positions Nashville Ballet not simply as a keeper of classics, but as a company with a strong visual identity and a clear cultural point of view. It is a season built for longtime ballet lovers, curious newcomers, and anyone drawn to performance that understands the power of beauty, drama, and reinvention.

The Lineup at a Glance:
Live in Studio A — Sept. 11–20, 2026 | The Martin Center for Nashville Ballet

Giselle — Oct. 2–4, 2026 | TPAC Polk Theater

Día de los Muertos — Oct. 28 – Nov. 1, 2026 | The Martin Center for Nashville Ballet

Nashville’s Nutcracker — Nov. 27 – Dec. 27, 2026 | TPAC Jackson Hall

Cinderella — Feb. 26–28, 2027 | TPAC Jackson Hall

Attitude — May 7–9, 2027 | TPAC Polk Theater

How to See It:

For audiences ready to commit to the full season—or simply build the right mix of classics, family favorites, and contemporary works—Nashville Ballet is offering several season ticket packages. Options range from all-access experiences to curated bundles for symphony lovers and families, with pricing designed to welcome both first-time attendees and longtime patrons.

Complete Season Package — See all six productions starting at $211 for adults and $156 for children under 12, with savings up to 30%, priority seating and exclusive perks.

Relevé Package — A new premium experience combining season tickets with Relevé Society membership, including receptions with artists and special events starting at just $311.

Symphony Package — Experience three classical ballets Giselle, Nashville’s Nutcracker and Cinderella performed live with The Nashville Symphony, starting at $126.50.

Family Package — Curated to create lasting memories for audiences of all ages, this package includes Día de los Muertos, Nashville’s Nutcracker and Cinderella, with tickets starting as low as $114.50 for adults and $79 for children.