February 19, 2026
Royal Winnipeg Ballet Announces 2026–27 Season
First Fully Curated Season by Artistic Director Christopher Stowell
The Royal Winnipeg Ballet (RWB) proudly announces its 2026–27 season, marking the first fully curated season by Artistic Director Christopher Stowell. The season launches an exciting new chapter for the Company, offering a program that balances beloved classics with contemporary voices and new Canadian creations.
Defined by theatrical storytelling, musical richness, and emotional depth, the 2026–27 season reflects the enduring strength of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet: timeless at heart, fearless in spirit. Through iconic scores, innovative collaborations, and intimate new performance formats, the season celebrates duality by honouring tradition while embracing the ideas that propel ballet forward.
“The 2026–27 season is about dialogue between past and future,” shares Stowell. “It is a season that respects the masterpieces that shaped the artform, while creating space for new voices, new collaborations, and new ways of experiencing ballet. I am deeply proud of the range and ambition of what we are sharing with audiences this year.”
The season opens with Stravinsky Stories, a dynamic double bill set to two iconic scores by Igor Stravinsky, one of the 20th century’s most innovative composers of theatrical music. The Fairy’s Kiss, choreographed by internationally celebrated Ukrainian choreographer and RWB alum Alexei Ratmansky in his first collaboration with the Company since his departure, is paired with a world-premiere Firebird by Chicago-born choreographer Houston Thomas, offering contemporary perspectives on Stravinsky’s enduring legacy.
Holiday magic returns with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s cherished production of Nutcracker, followed by Christopher Stowell’s propulsive interpretation of Swan Lake. First premiered in 2006 with Oregon Ballet Theatre, Stowell’s Swan Lake blends classical grandeur with contemporary fluidity, musical momentum, and a clear narrative focus.
The season culminates with The Mix, a fiery triple bill featuring 5 Tangos by the late Dutch master Hans van Manen, presented as a tribute to his lasting influence on the world of ballet, alongside George Balanchine’s Rubies and a new work by Canadian choreographer Alysa Pires honouring The Tragically Hip on the tenth anniversary of Gord Downie’s passing.
New for the 2026–27 season are two initiatives designed to expand how RWB audiences experience ballet.
The Studio Series transforms our Founders Studio into an immersive, up-close performance space, offering audiences intimate insight into choreography, music, and storytelling. The inaugural edition features George Balanchine’s Who Cares?, set to the music of George Gershwin, including beloved standards such as The Man I Love, My One and Only, and I Got Rhythm. Presented in partnership with the University of Manitoba Faculty of Music’s Jazz Department, performances will take place on the RWB campus as well as Desautels Concert Hall at the U of M.
The Northern Lights Project is a new Royal Winnipeg Ballet initiative celebrating Canadian creativity and a central pillar of Christopher Stowell’s artistic vision for the Company. It reflects the RWB’s commitment to innovation and collaboration through cross-disciplinary partnerships with the National Arts Centre, the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, and Fall For Dance North Festival. The Project will include a residency at the Banff Centre, where artists from across Canada will begin developing new work together. These ideas will be brought to life in their first public iteration on the RWB stage, with the potential to continue evolving and be presented in future performances in Winnipeg, Ottawa, and Toronto. Through this process, ballet is placed in conversation with a wide range of dance practices and creative disciplines, creating a platform for diverse and visionary artists to shape the future of the art form.
For the 2026–27 season the Royal Winnipeg Ballet welcomes Ming Luke as Music Director. Based in San Francisco, Ming’s dynamic career spans major ballet and symphonic stages internationally and his collaborative approach brings fresh musical energy to the Company. The RWB extends sincere thanks to Julian Pellicano for his outstanding contributions as Music Director and congratulates him as he moves on to the National Ballet of Canada.
Subscriptions are now available for purchase at rwb.org. Packages include 5-ballet and 3-ballet options. Subscribers get the best pricing and seat selections. With special perks including discounts on merchandise and additional tickets. Single tickets go on sale this summer.
See images and videos from the season launch here.
2026–27 Season Performance Details
Studio Series
September 24–27, 2026
Founders Studio at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and Desautels Concert Hall, University of Manitoba
An immersive new series bringing audiences closer to the creative process. The inaugural edition presents George Balanchine’s Who Cares? in partnership with the University of Manitoba.
Stravinsky Stories
October 8–11, 2026 (Community Matinee on Saturday)
Centennial Concert Hall
Featuring The Fairy’s Kiss by Alexei Ratmansky and a world-premiere Firebird by Houston Thomas.
Nutcracker
December 18–27, 2026
Centennial Concert Hall
RWB’s beloved holiday tradition choreographed by Nina Menon and Galina Yordanova.
Swan Lake
March 4–7, 2027 (New Saturday Matinee performance)
Centennial Concert Hall
Christopher Stowell’s interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece.
Northern Lights Project
March 31–April 3, 2027
Founders Studio at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet
A national, cross-disciplinary program celebrating Canadian artistic collaboration.
The Mix
April 29–May 2, 2027 (Community Matinee on Friday.)
Centennial Concert Hall
Featuring 5 Tangos by Hans van Manen, Rubies by George Balanchine, and a new work by Alysa Pires honouring The Tragically Hip.
Public Funders Government of Canada, Canada Council for the Arts, Manitoba Arts Council, and Winnipeg Arts Council
Presenting Sponsors Richardson Foundation, Canada Life, and the Asper Foundation
Music Partner Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra
About the Royal Winnipeg Ballet
The Royal Winnipeg Ballet teaches, creates, and performs, enriching lives through the transformative power of exceptional dance. With a legacy spanning more than 85 years, the RWB is celebrated for its versatility, technical brilliance, and expressive performance style. Under the artistic leadership of Christopher Stowell, the Company is entering an inspiring new chapter that honours its history while embracing innovation and contemporary voices in dance.