INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra (ISO) and Indianapolis Ballet are expanding their artistic partnership for the 2026-27 season, bringing the full power of live orchestral music and professional ballet to Clowes Memorial Hall for three major productions.
The expanded collaboration marks the fourth consecutive season the organizations have joined forces and, for the first time, will bring the ISO to the pit for three Indianapolis Ballet productions in a single season. The partnership offers Central Indiana audiences the opportunity to experience some of ballet’s most beloved and groundbreaking scores performed live by Indiana’s largest professional orchestra alongside Indianapolis Ballet’s professional dancers.
The 2026-27 collaborative season will feature:
- Cinderella — November 6-8, 2026
Sergei Prokofiev’s lush and dramatic score accompanies the timeless story of Cinderella in this production choreographed by Cincinnati Ballet Artistic Director Emerita Victoria Morgan. Andrew Grams leads the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.
- The Nutcracker — December 17-22, 2026
A beloved holiday tradition comes to life in six performances with Tchaikovsky’s iconic score performed live by the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. From the swirling snowflakes and waltzing flowers to the majestic Sugar Plum Fairy, the production pairs the magic of Indianapolis Ballet’s dancers with one of the most recognizable orchestral scores ever written. Andrew Grams conducts. Indianapolis Ballet will also present a sensory-friendly performance on December 17 without the orchestra.
- Ballets Russes — March 5-7, 2027
This dynamic mixed-repertoire program explores the revolutionary influence of the Ballets Russes on 20th-century dance and orchestral music. The program includes 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. Jack Everly, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra’s Principal Pops Conductor, leads the orchestra.
For the ISO, the expanded partnership offers an opportunity to showcase the extraordinary range and expressive power of live orchestral music across three immersive productions.
“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. We’re proud to deepen this collaboration and look forward to welcoming audiences to these extraordinary performances.”
The partnership also highlights the ISO’s versatility across classical repertoire, film scores, pops, holiday programs, and collaborations with other performing arts organizations.
The productions are made possible with generous support from the Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation and the Butler Arts & Events Center.
Tickets for all three productions are on sale now. For tickets and more information, visit Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra or Butler Arts and Events Center.
About the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra
As Indiana’s largest nonprofit performing arts organization, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra inspires and unites more than 200,000 people each year through our concerts and educational programs. From our home on Monument Circle in the heart of Indianapolis, the ISO serves a vibrant and evolving community through more than 150 concerts and mainstage education programs each season. The orchestra offers a diverse range of programming—including the Classical Series, the Printing Partners Pops Series, the beloved AES Indiana Yuletide Celebration, and the Film Series presented by Bank of America—all unified by a commitment to artistic excellence and creating inspiring, accessible, and transformative musical experiences. Learn more at www.indianapolissymphony.org.
