Orchestra and Ballet to Stage Three Joint Productions at Clowes

The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and Indianapolis Ballet will work together on three stage productions at Clowes Memorial Hall during the 2026-27 season, the organizations announced. The run starts November 6, 2026, with "Cinderella" and continues through March 2027. This marks the fourth straight season the two groups have shared a production and the first time the ISO will play in the pit for three ballets in one season.

"Cinderella" runs November 6 and 7, 2026, at 7:30 p.m., plus November 7 and 8, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. All four performances take place at Clowes Memorial Hall, 4602 Sunset Avenue. Victoria Morgan, Artistic Director Emerita of Cincinnati Ballet, created the choreography. Andrew Grams conducts Prokofiev's score. Morgan served as Artistic Director and CEO of Cincinnati Ballet from 1996 through 2022.

Grams arrives in Indianapolis November 6-8, 2026, after leading the NYC Ballet from September 22 through October 18. He returns December 18-22, 2026, to conduct the ISO and Indianapolis Ballet in "The Nutcracker" at Clowes Memorial Hall.

A free community event follows "Cinderella" at the Indianapolis Ballet Studio, 502 North Capitol Street. "Forging Connections: Building Community with Music & Movement" runs November 9, 2026, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. as part of the 2026 Spirit & Place Festival. The program includes ballet selections such as "The Dying Swan," excerpts from Balanchine's "Serenade" and "Who Cares?," the Bluebird Pas de Deux from "The Sleeping Beauty," and an excerpt from Abigail Einterz's "Is This How Conversation is Started?" A panel discussion with Indianapolis Ballet dancers follows the performances. Registration is available at spiritandplace.org, by calling 317-840-3185, or by emailing bob.eintern@gmail.com.

The third joint production, "Ballet Russes," runs March 5-7, 2027. Jack Everly, Principal Pops Conductor of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, leads the orchestra. The program features the world premiere of Matthew Neenan's "The Firebird," set to Stravinsky's score, alongside Agnes de Mille's "Rodeo" with music by Copland and George Balanchine's "Raymonda Variations" with music by Glazunov.

"Our partnership with the Indianapolis Ballet continues to demonstrate what's possible when two leading arts organizations come together around a shared vision," said Jonathan Martin, Interim Chief Operating Officer of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. "Expanding to three productions this season reflects our mutual commitment to delivering exceptional artistic experiences for our community while strengthening Indianapolis' reputation as a destination for world-class performing arts."

Ticket information for all three productions is available through the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and Butler Arts & Events Center.