Deos Contemporary Ballet Celebrates Five Years with 2026-2027 Season Announcement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Deos Contemporary Ballet Announces 2026–2027 Season 

“Redefine What’s Possible” Marks the Company’s Fifth Anniversary Season 

Grand Rapids, MI | June 22, 2026 | Celebrating its fifth year-round performance season, Deos Contemporary Ballet is stepping boldly into the milestone 2026–2027 season with a lineup that blends powerful storytelling, daring contemporary works, family-friendly experiences, and joyful debuts. 

Centered around the theme Redefine What’s Possible, the season celebrates the dancers, choreographers, and audiences who have helped shape the company’s first five years while looking ahead to an even more ambitious artistic future. From haunting romantic tragedy and Greek drama to interactive educational ballet and comedic summer escapism, the season invites audiences to experience ballet in ways that are emotionally resonant, visually compelling, and deeply human. 

“This season feels like a celebration of everything Deos has become,” said Deos Contemporary Ballet Artistic Director Tess Sinke. “We are honoring classical ballet traditions while continuing to challenge ourselves artistically through contemporary storytelling, new works, and unexpected theatrical experiences. Each production asks audiences to feel something deeply... whether that’s wonder, heartbreak, laughter, or hope.” 

The season opens with the return of COLLIDE Series 26, the company’s signature summer contemporary ballet series in Grand Rapids. Featuring a dynamic double bill by acclaimed female choreographers, the production brings together elite professional dancers from across the country, aspiring pre-professional artists, and Deos company dancers for an electrifying weekend of collaboration and movement innovation.  COLLIDE Series 26 runs July 31 through August 1 at the Gezon Auditorium in Grand Rapids. Tickets on sale now at deosballet.com. 

Later in the season, audiences will experience a new production of Giselle, the timeless romantic ballet reimagined through Deos’ cinematic and emotionally immersive lens. Set in the early 1800s, the ballet follows Giselle, a factory worker in fragile health who falls in love with a man concealing his true identity. Betrayed and heartbroken, she dies -- only to return as a spirit among the Wilis, ghostly brides who seek vengeance on unfaithful men. Yet even in death, Giselle’s love ultimately becomes a force of grace and forgiveness. This performance will also mark the launch of Deos Ballet’s kid-friendly matinee programming with the Giselle Suite, sharing ballet with young audiences in an age-appropriate retold story, with fidget toys, sensory-friendly lighting, and a shortened matinee program fit for the whole family. 

“This season reflects the emotional range that makes dance such a powerful art form,” said Deos Contemporary Ballet Markeing & Communications Manager Isabelle Ramey. “We wanted to create experiences that are accessible and exciting for longtime ballet lovers while also welcoming new audiences into the theater. Whether someone comes for the drama of a full-length ballet, the excitement of contemporary dance, or simply to laugh and have fun during a summer comedy, there’s truly something for everyone this season.” 

The company’s holiday tradition also returns with Cracked Nuts in December, building upon the success of previous seasons with fresh surprises, humor, and imaginative storytelling designed for audiences of all ages. 

In March, during Women’s History Month, Deos will present Dream Big! The Ada Lovelace Story, an interactive children’s ballet celebrating the life and achievements of Ada Lovelace, widely recognized as the world’s first computer programmer. Blending dance, creativity, and STEM education, the production is designed to ignite curiosity and imagination in children and adults alike. 

March will also see the return of Trojan Women, expanding upon the acclaimed premiere that captivated audiences this past season. Inspired by Euripides’ devastating tragedy, the production dives deeper into themes of loss, survival, resilience, and the human cost of war through emotionally charged contemporary choreography. 

Adding a new immersive experience to the season lineup is A Night at the Barre, an energetic evening combining original dance works with dinner, drinks, and social dancing. Designed to break down barriers between performers and audiences, the event transforms ballet into a full-night celebration of movement and community. 

The season concludes in Summer 2027 with the world premiere of Beach Balls, a comedic ballet bursting with vintage flair, eccentric personalities, and sunny chaos. Featuring retro bathing suits, laugh-out-loud characters, and one exhausted woman simply trying to enjoy a peaceful day reading on the beach, the production promises to leave audiences smiling all summer long. 

As the company enters its fifth anniversary season, Deos Ballet continues to push the boundaries of what ballet can look and feel like for modern audiences. 

“This season is ultimately about possibility,” Sinke added. “It’s about believing dance can educate, entertain, challenge, heal, and connect people across generations. That’s the future we’re building.” 

For tickets, season announcements, and performance updates, visit deosballet.com. 

Media Contact: 

Isabelle Ramey 

Marketing & Communications Manager 

Isabelle.ramey@deosballet.com