Nataley Davis | staff writer

Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre (PBT) is bringing whimsy and imagination to the stage with their 2026-2027 season, aptly titled “Escape into Wonder.”

The season is chock full of awe-inspiring ballets beginning in October with “Giselle” and ending in May 2027 with “The Sleeping Beauty.”

Laurie Rieger, public relations and media manager for PBT, said that having family-friendly, familiar stories in each ballet season helps to bring in families and new audiences.

“It’s stories that they know, that they understand, that their kids can easily follow and it’s a nice introduction to ballet,” Rieger said.

These established productions in the upcoming season include “The Sleeping Beauty” and “The Nutcracker.”

The version of “The Nutcracker” PBT currently performs has been a fan-favorite for the past 24 years. However the upcoming season is the last time it will be performed.

Rieger said that iterations of the holiday classic get changed every 20 years or so to keep audiences engaged and keep things fresh.

“Nutcrackers tend to get redone because everything starts to be a little loved, it’s just time for a new one,” she said. 


”That’s very exciting for us that we’re working on the new one. We’re going to put out an announcement every few months with new details.”

She added that the famous ballet elements like “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” and beloved characters will remain unchanged, but it will feature new story lines, sets and costumes.

Along with well-known classics, the upcoming season features experimental debuts.

“Spring Mix: World Premieres” is a series of four ballets that PBT has never performed before, varying with classical and contemporary styles.

The performances feature a world premiere by award-winning choreographer Omar Román de Jesús and brand-new work by PBT company artists. Spring Mix will take place over three days at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center.

Rieger said that PBT typically collaborates with the August Wilson House in the Hill District once every season for a change in scenery from their home base — the Benedum Center for the Performing Arts.

“It’s just a different kind of more intimate space, and it gives a different perspective on the ballet, and I think people enjoy that — especially longtime subscribers who like to come to all the different ballets,” Rieger said.

“Spring Mix: World Premieres” will open with Act 2 from “Swan Lake” with a new staging by PBT’s Artistic Director Adam W. McKinney. It also features a ballet called “Angels in the Architecture,” set to Aaron Copland’s famous symphony piece “Appalachian Spring.”

In addition to the performance of “Angels in Architecture” at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center, it will be performed at Heinz Hall for the Performing Arts with a live symphony in June, Reiger said.

The 2026-2027 season subscriptions and packages are on sale now on PBT’s website, starting at $82.50. PBT subscribers receive exclusive benefits and children ages 3 to 17 receive 50% off on regular subscription package pricing. Groups purchasing eight or more tickets can save up to 50%.

“I am absolutely thrilled to invite Pittsburgh audiences to ‘Escape into Wonder’ with PBT for our magnificent 2026-27 season,” McKinney said in a news release. “I know that audiences will love the diverse collection of works I have selected for next season.”

Nataley Davis can be reached at davisn5@duq.edu