forward


Driven by transformation and charged with energy, the 25/26 season opens with FORWARD, exploring what it means to evolve: artistically, emotionally, collectively.

  • Renowned for her electrifying style and celebrated across the dance world, Jennifer Archibald returns to Ballet Des Moines with a much-anticipated world premiere for our fall production.

  • Resident Choreographer Tom Mattingly establishes his new role at BDM with the return of fan-favorite Rachmaninoff's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini. 

  • Eric Trope, Ballet Des Moines' new Artistic Director, will create his first work on the company, with live accompaniment by internationally recognized pianist Hyunjung Rachel Chung and set design by BDM’s Creative Director Jami Milne.

AUDIO DESCRIPTIONS

SEPTEMBER 26-27 | 7pm
HOYT SHERMAN PLACE

SEPTEMBER 26 TICKETS
SEPTEMBER 27 TICKETS

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WITH WORKS FROM:

FORWARD PERFORMANCE DETAILS

Artistic Director: Eric Trope
Rehearsal Director: Josh Bodden
Costume Designer: Sarah Dornink
Lighting Design: Tom Willis
Stage Manager: Jenna Darsee

rhapsody on a theme of paganini

tom mattingly’s

Music: Sergei Rachmaninoff

Cast:
Chiyo Nishida

Kate Anderson, Megan Boyette, Judith Bruggeman, Tess Cogley, Jordan Powers, Elianna Price

Gabe Hartman, Rune Houchin, Eddie Kidd, Cameron Miller, Jordan Powers, Elianna Price

JENNIFER ARCHIBALD’S WORLD PREMIERE

HOLLOW

Music: Sound design curated by Jennifer Archibald

Cast: Savannah Cox, Amelia Grubb Hillman, Logan Hillman, Noah Klarck, Cameron Miller, Chiyo Nishida, Elianna Price

ERIC TROPES’S WORLD PREMIERE

MEMORY SONATA

Music: Cécile Chaminade, performed byHyung Rachel Chung

Set DESIGN & Installation: The Threads We Bare by Jami Milne

Cast:
Noah klarck, Savanah cox

Amelia grubb hillman, Logan hillman

Kate Anderson, Megan Boyette, Gabe Hartman, Rune Houchin, Eddie Kidd
Blaise Houchin, Cameron miller, Chiyo Nishida, Jordan Powers, Elianna Price

INTERVIEWS

Hear from our choreographers in conversation with Director of Development, Todd Rhoades.

SPOTLIGHT:

JENNIFER ARCHIBALD

From her world premiere DUTY with Ballet Des Moines in 2023 to her DANCE Magazine cover, and leading workshops at BDM with kids from Oakridge Neighborhood, learn more about our relationship with the internationally celebrated and in high demand, choreographer Jennifer Archibald.

LEARN MORE

THE THREADS WE BARE
SET INSTALLATION BY JAMI MILNE

ARTIST STATEMENT
The Threads We Bare was created for Eric Trope’s world premiere Memory Sonata, set to the music of Cécile Chaminade. Unlike many women of her time, Chaminade had the freedom to pursue her artistic ambitions to her fullest extent. In contrast, most women labored within the home, their brilliance bound to domestic work.

A series of hand-dyed twin bedsheets hang in quiet suspension. They reference the daily, unrelenting tasks of an earlier era — work that defined the lives of so many women in our lineage. The twin sheet itself becomes a symbol: of singleness or separation, of being alone or independent, or even of a marriage of convenience, as was the case of Chaminade.

Each sheet bears names hand sewn into their corners. Names of grandmothers, mothers, and matriarchs connected to Ballet Des Moines’ dancers, staff, board members, and community. Together, these sheets form a collective portrait of endurance and care, tethering private histories to shared memory.

The Threads We Bare is both an offering and a remembrance: a recognition of those that came before us to set the stage for us to flourish.

BDM Dancer Elianna Pirce in Eric Trope’s Memory Sonata

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