Crystal Pite’s Emergence draws on swarm intelligence and patterns found in the natural world to explore how individuals contribute to something larger and more complex. Created in just 18 days, the 30-minute ballet treats the corps de ballet itself as a living example of emergence: dancers responding to local cues as intricate patterns and systems take shape.

Set to Owen Belton’s pulsing score, the choreography builds through repetition, unison, and sudden rupture, shifting between hypnotic order and swarming chaos. Experiencing Emergence live allows audiences to feel the collective energy of the dancers as it evolves in real time—a mesmerizing display of many individuals moving as part of a larger system. It’s a piece as much about the beauty of collective movement as the loss of control it demands.

Jorma Elo’s Brake the Eyes is a thrilling, fast-paced ballet that showcases the razor-sharp musicality and daring athleticism of Boston Ballet’s dancers. Set to a Mozart score infused with soundscapes, the choreography moves at exhilarating speed—full of sudden shifts, intricate footwork, and playful surprises that keep audiences leaning forward in their seats.

Created by longtime Boston Ballet Resident Choreographer Jorma Elo, the ballet reflects his deep creative partnership with the Company and his talent for crafting works that feel both cutting-edge and tailor-made for these dancers. Brake the Eyes offers an electrifying live experience—bold, virtuosic, and unmistakably Boston Ballet.

“It was dance on two levels: the slightly scary subconscious, and the more extroverted presentation to the world.”
–The New York Times

William Forsythe, known for his revolutionary and influential approach to choreography, redefined classical ballet and expanded its boundaries, earning him recognition as one of the most visionary choreographers of his time. Herman Schmerman is a bold, high-energy ballet that turns classical technique on its head. Audiences can expect lightning-fast footwork, daring extensions, and unexpected twists as dancers push their bodies to thrilling extremes with wit and confidence.

Set to an eclectic Willems score and infused with playful attitude, the ballet is both technically jaw-dropping and irresistibly fun to watch. Herman Schmerman showcases dancers at their most fearless and inventive, offering audiences an exhilarating live experience that feels spontaneous, contemporary, and full of surprises.