BACK ON STAGE: Emily Cordies-Maso is among the dancers who will be performing as part of American Repertory’s upcoming season, which includes works by Lar Lubovitch, Antony Tudor, Stephan Martinez, Luis Napoles, and Artistic Director Ethan Stiefel. (Photo by Harald Schrader)

American Repertory Ballet (ARB) has announced its 2024-2025 season, a celebration of classic repertoire alongside new works.

A founding resident company of the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), ARB presents three programs of dance at its home venue with “Wonderment” in October 2024, the world premiere of Spirit of the Highlands in March 2025, and “Pasión” in May 2025. The Nutcracker will return for the holiday season in November and December 2024 in Princeton, Red Bank, Trenton, and New Brunswick.

“Our 2024-2025 season has American Repertory Ballet going to the next level and then some,” said Stiefel, who curated each program. “From superlative, existing works by preeminent choreographers like Lar Lubovitch, Antony Tudor, and Stephanie Martinez, to new creations by Luis Napoles and myself, the company’s notable versatility and artistry will be on full display. Whether one has a fondness for the full-length classics such as The Nutcracker and Spirit of the Highlands (La Sylphide), or one relishes innovative, shorter works thoughtfully selected for our dancers and audiences, there is no doubt that each ARB experience promises to captivate and delight.”

“Wonderment” is a program of four diverse dance works. Featured on the bill will be Tudor’s Little Improvisations, a “[depiction of] two children playing in an attic on a rainy day,” per AntonyTudor.org archives, and Lubovitch’s Something About Night, set to choral music by Franz Schubert. Also featured will be the renowned Swan Lake “Black Swan Pas and Coda,” and the world premiere of a new ballet choreographed by Stiefel inspired by prolific baroque composer, conductor, and ballet dancer Jean Baptiste Lully, and one of his protégés, Marin Marais. The program is at NBPAC October 18-20.

Performances of The Nutcracker are November 29-December 1 at McCarter Theatre, December 7 and 8 at the Two River Theatre in Red Bank, December 14 at Patriots Theater at the War Memorial in Trenton, and December 20-22 at State Theatre New Jersey in New Brunswick.

The world premiere of Stiefel’s Spirit of the Highlands is March 7-9. An adaptation of the well-known Bournonville ballet La Sylphide, the new work re-imagines the tale of a Scotsman’s romantic pursuit of a mystical forest spirit. Stiefel traces his mother’s family roots back to the Scottish Highland Clan Munro. “Pasión” is a mixed bill of new and familiar works, presented at NBPAC May 9-11. An excerpt from the classic ballet Paquita shares the program with more contemporary ballets by Martinez and Napoles.

The company also announces new roles and transitions. Stiefel moves into the newly created role of The Nora C. Orphanides Artist in Residence, focusing on the creation of new work and the continued artistic and technical development of company dancers. Gillian Murphy continues in her role as artistic associate while performing as a principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre. Samantha Dunster, former assistant artistic director of Philadelphia Ballet, joins ARB’s leadership team as the organization’s first-ever director of artistic operations.

“It is truly an honor to be joining American Repertory Ballet this season,” says Dunster, who will be managing daily operations and coordinating guest artist collaborations. “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with the diverse, dedicated, and talented dancers of ARB. I am also incredibly excited to be working with Ethan Stiefel and Gillian Murphy alongside Executive Director Julie Diana Hench and School Director Aydmara Cabrera. Their strength, intelligence, and passion are truly inspirational. Together, we will continue to share our love for dance and creativity with the New Jersey community and beyond. This season promises to be an exciting one for ARB, including the premiere of Ethan Stiefel’s Spirit Of The Highlands. His love and passion for this art form radiate through every company dancer, and I am thrilled to be here to help them shine.”

Visit arballet.org for more information.