Rochester City Ballet announces a dazzling 2025|2026 Season

It’s with great excitement that we announce Rochester City Ballet’s 2025/2026 Season—a journey through captivating performances, inspiring collaborations, and unforgettable moments. This year, we’re pushing boundaries, building new partnerships, and offering new opportunities to connect with the magic of dance. The 2025/2026 season for Rochester City Ballet is shaping up to be one of the most exciting yet. Here’s what you can expect from our upcoming season:

SYNERGY: RCB & CNYB

October 18, 2025 | Everson Museum, Syracuse, NY

We are kicking off the season with something special: a groundbreaking residency in Syracuse, NY in collaboration with Syracuse University and Central New York Ballet at the Everson Museum. SYNERGY will bring together the talented dancers of both companies for an evening celebrating the power of movement, creativity, and community. This performance, held in one of Syracuse's most iconic cultural venues, will be an exciting showcase of the artistic possibilities when two ballet companies come together in harmony. 

THE NUTCRACKER
November + December, 2025 | Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre & Fort Hill Performing Arts Center

Step into the magic of the holiday season with The Nutcracker, a cherished Rochester tradition. With live music from the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, dazzling costumes, and exquisite choreography, this production brings to life Clara’s dreamlike journey to a land of sparkling snow and delectable sweets. Whether it’s your first time or a family tradition, The Nutcracker is a must-see celebration of wonder and joy.

ROMEO & JULIET SUITE

January 31 & February 1, 2026 | Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre

The tragic and timeless love story of Romeo & Juliet comes to life in a stunning performance, featuring Prokofiev’s Romeo & Juliet Suite. Set to the evocative and passionate score of one of the greatest composers, this suite brings the romance and drama of Shakespeare’s iconic play to the stage. Presented with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, this production, directed by Andreas Delfs, will take you on an emotional journey of love, loss, and the enduring power of passion. This is a must-see for lovers of classical ballet and theater alike.

NEXT UP! - A Choreographic Showcase
February 28, 2026 | St. John Fisher University’s NEW Black Box Theatre

Don’t miss NEXT UP!, a unique and intimate choreographic showcase that celebrates the raw beauty of dance. This performance, set in the new Black Box Theatre at St. John Fisher University, will feature short works by emerging choreographers—many of whom are members of the RCB company. With minimal sets and costumes, this performance allows the pure artistry of movement to take center stage in an intimate setting.

CINDERELLA
April 25-26, 2026 | Robert F. Panara Theatre at Rochester Institute of Technology

After more than three decades, Cinderella returns to the RIT stage! Rochester City Ballet is proud to present this full-length fairytale classic at RIT’s School of Performing Arts, complete with breathtaking costumes, captivating music, and spellbinding choreography. It’s a magical experience you won’t want to miss.

MOTHER GOOSE SUITE
May 17 | Hochstein Performance Hall
With the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra

Ravel’s Mother Goose Suite springs to life in this delightful performance for young audiences. Classic fairy tales meet music and movement in an afternoon of pure enchantment — a perfect introduction to ballet and symphonic storytelling.

A Season of Storytelling, Collaboration & Creativity

Join Rochester City Ballet this season as we celebrate the timeless beauty of ballet while embracing new ideas and voices. Whether you’re a longtime patron or a first-time guest, we invite you to experience the power of dance — from the grand stages of Eastman Theatre to the intimate magic of a black box theater.
Stay connected with us @rochestercityballet and visit rochestercityballet.com for more details.

Let the season inspire you. ✨

Rochester City Ballet welcomes eight dancers to the Company

Rochester City Ballet Artistic Directors Megan Kamler & Shannon Rodriguez announce the 2024–2025 season roster. The Company includes a roster of 16 professional dancers from around the nation. One dancer joins the main Company, five Apprentices, and two Junior Apprentices. 

“We have an extremely talented roster of dancers at Rochester City Ballet this season, and we are  thrilled to welcome these new Company members and Apprentices from around the country,” said Artistic Director Megan Kamler. “I am looking forward to seeing them shine in our diverse season that showcases the best of ballet with beloved classical favorites and exciting premieres. Our audiences will enjoy watching and getting to know the dancers and what they will bring to our versatile repertoire.”

Rochester City Ballet welcomes eight new dancers to the Company: Olivia Bevilacqua (Rochester, NY), Samantha Goodelle (Charlotte, North Carolina), Lily Janneck (Maui, Hawaii), Elizabeth Pinel (Sarasota, Florida), Sofia Stitz (Dumont, New Jersey), Marlena Roberts (Baltimore, Maryland), Jessica Bealer (Reading, Pennsylvania), and Sophia Barnard-Decann (Rochester, NY).

Introducing the eight new dancers for the 2024/2025 Season!

Olivia Bevilacqua

Rochester, NY

Company Dancer

Marlena Roberts

Baltimore, Maryland

Apprentice

Lily Janneck

Maui, Hawaii

Apprentice

Samantha Goodelle

Charlotte, North Carolina

Apprentice

Elizabeth Pinel

Sarasota, Florida

Apprentice

Sofia Stitz

Dumont, New Jersey

Apprentice

Sophia Barnard-Decann

Rochester, NY

Junior Apprentice

Jessica Bealer

Reading, Pennsylvania

Junior Apprentice

Rochester City Ballet announces 2024|2025 Season

ROCHESTER, NY – Rochester City Ballet is proud to present performance details for their upcoming 2024-2025 season. Experience beloved traditions, riveting world premieres, and inspiring stories of love, unison, and magic in a season in which the future of the company is defined.

Honoring their history and celebrating a promising future, Rochester City Ballet’s 37th year is filled with the best of classical and contemporary ballet, showcasing the incredible versatility of the artists. Our 24-25 season continues to uphold the reputation of Rochester City Ballet as a leader in the arts community.

The new season officially launches in September, but RCB encourages patrons to join them for their summer performances at various local venues to be announced. Dancers of Rochester City Ballet are thrilled to bring back the third annual Booze N’ Ballet event at Kin Event Space on August 31st, an evening that celebrates local creations. 

Agua Fresca

September 2024  | School of the Arts

We open our season at the Rochester Fringe Festival with the world premiere of Agua Fresca. Choreographed by Aldo Katton, Agua Fresca opens a path for connection and celebration of Latin-American communities. The Afro-Caribbean influences and poetry of the Spanish language will fill your ears with words that ring and melt simultaneously. 

The evening also features a world premiere by Artistic Director, Megan Kamler. So On, and So Forth is inspired by the trials and tribulations of women in the arts and the merits of being female in today's day and age. So On, and So Forth demonstrates themes of connection, isolation, unison, and support.  The music and the fluidity of this new piece of contemporary ballet will inspire audience members of all ages.

The Nutcracker - Celebrating 25 Years 

November + December 2024  | Eastman Theatre

Join us for Rochester’s favorite holiday tradition, The Nutcracker. Whirling snowflakes, marching soldiers, and waltzing flowers are the perfect highlight to every family's winter festivities. This season, the company celebrates the 25th anniversary with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra.

Embark on an enchanting journey alongside Clara, who ventures from her bedroom into the wondrous realm of The Land of Sweets. Perfect for ballet and theatre lovers of all ages, The Nutcracker will immerse you in an unforgettable experience that reignites the childlike wonder within each and every one of us.

Help us celebrate the 25th anniversary of The Nutcracker with the RPO!

Carnival of the Animals & Other Tales

February 2025 | Fort Hill Performing Arts Center

We jump into the new year with a new take on Carnival of the Animals. This family-friendly ballet is set to Camille Saint-Saëns’ humorous musical suite of 14 movements. The work features whimsical costumes and narration from the delightful Ogden Nash poem. Celebrating creatures from the ponderous elephant to the manic kangaroo, to the plodding tortoise, this ballet is sure to be a favorite for adults and children of all ages.

VISIONARY: A Mixed Bill

February 2025 | RIT Panara Theatre

This sampler of classical and contemporary movement features a world-premiere work by Artistic Director Shannon Rodriguez, Paint My Dream. This cosmic, “mixed media” ballet inspired by Vincent Van Gogh’s “The Starry Night” creates a celestial and interdisciplinary viewing experience for audience members.

VISIONARY is a wonderful opportunity for both dance enthusiasts and newcomers to experience a variety of artistic voices. Paired with Jared Allan Brunson’s Into the Blue, and Aldo Katton’s Agua Fresca, this captivating mixed bill offers audience members an opportunity to experience three new works that showcase the future of ballet.

Anastasia: With The Society for Chamber Music 

May 2025 | Nazareth University

The clear headliner for Rochester City Ballet’s 2024/2025 season is a beautiful, brand- new production of Anastasia with the Society for Chamber Music in Rochester, choreographed by Artistic Directors Megan Kamler & Shannon Rodriguez. Based on the intriguing historical mystery, Anastasia revolves around the rumors that the Grand Duchess has escaped the execution of the royal family during the Russian Revolution.

Based on this hearsay, the Grand Duchess offers a reward for Anastasia's return. Hoping to pawn off an imposter, two scheming Russians hold auditions to choose an orphan girl with a remarkable resemblance to the missing princess. They bring her to Paris for the reward, not knowing she's the real Anastasia. You won’t want to miss the chance to see this beloved story brought to life by Rochester City Ballet and the Society for Chamber Music.

With such a rich variety of stories to tell, Rochester City Ballet’s 2024-2025 season will be unforgettable.

Rochester City Ballet gets a new look

Local Graphic Designer and artist Brendan Prince has designed a new logo and identity for Rochester City Ballet. This reworked identity is the first step in a process of rebranding the company (founded in 1987).

“Overall, the current logo feels dated and does not accurately reflect the essence of Rochester City Ballet and the direction the brand is heading. "Rochester" is secondary to "City Ballet." We want equal hierarchy of the full name. I wanted the overall look-and-feel of Rochester City Ballet to feel elegant, strong, and timeless.” -says Prince.

Rochester’s premier ballet company has become a nationally significant dance company and a cherished cultural institution in the Finger Lakes region.

Newly appointed Artistic Directors Megan Kamler and Shannon Rodriguez plan to continue to elevate the artistic vision of Rochester City Ballet with a renewed approach of innovation, inclusion, impact and collaboration to drive the company’s artistic excellence to even greater heights.”

Our new logo, rolling out today, represents the exciting work we do and symbolizes the evolution of the company. The logo was designed with careful consideration of our company’s values, history, and vision for the future” says Rodriguez.

The rebranding is driven by a desire to reflect changes in artistic direction and showcase innovation in choreography and performances. Ballet is an art form that has deep-rooted traditions, but in order to stay relevant in today’s fast-paced world, Rochester City Ballet has chosen to modernize their image.