Harrison Ball's New Ancient Strings;  Photo: VAM

(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- New Jersey Ballet is proud to announce its 2025-2026 Season at Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC), where the company serves as the Resident Ballet Company. This season offers an inspiring mix of bold contemporary choreography, beloved classics, and treasured holiday traditions—all performed at one of New Jersey’s major performing arts venues.

Now entering her fifth year as Artistic Director, Maria Kowroski continues to elevate the company’s artistic vision with a season that celebrates innovation, excellence and accessibility. New Jersey Ballet is also thrilled to expand its collaboration with New Jersey Symphony, bringing the power of live music to even more performances—a move that promises to heighten the theatrical experience and deepen the connection between dancers and audiences.

This season reflects a dynamic era of growth for New Jersey Ballet, made possible by meaningful partnerships with leading arts institutions and an unwavering commitment to bringing world-class ballet to audiences in New Jersey.

George Balanchine's Serenade Photo: VAM

Maria Kowroski, Artistic Director of New Jersey Ballet, shared her excitement about the company’s ongoing residency at MPAC and the growing collaboration with New Jersey Symphony: “Being the Resident Ballet Company at MPAC is an incredible honor. It allows us to bring our work to a wide and diverse audience in a venue that truly supports the performing arts at the highest level. We are especially thrilled to deepen our partnership with New Jersey Symphony this season. There’s nothing like the energy of live music—it transforms the stage and elevates the dancers. The opportunity to bring that synergy to more of our performances is a major step forward for the company and a gift to our audiences.”

David Tamaki, Executive Director of New Jersey Ballet, added, “Our continued residency at MPAC and expanded work with the New Jersey Symphony mark an exciting new chapter for New Jersey Ballet. These partnerships allow us to raise the artistic bar while also reaffirming our commitment to making world-class ballet accessible to New Jerseyans. Live musical accompaniment adds immeasurable richness to the performance experience, and we are proud to collaborate with two of the state’s leading arts institutions to bring this level of excellence to the stage.”

Allison Larena, President & CEO, Mayo Performing Arts Center, reflected on the expanded partnership and shared her enthusiasm, “MPAC is thrilled to be hosting two of New Jersey’s most renowned arts organizations in an all-new collaboration.  As The Nutcracker has proven, the partnership of a world-class ballet company and an acclaimed orchestra creates a fulfilling, dynamic and memorable arts experience for all who attend.”

Terry D. Loftis, President & CEO, New Jersey Symphony, commented on the expanded partnership between the Symphony and New Jersey Ballet, "New Jersey Symphony is thrilled to expand our partnership with New Jersey Ballet bringing even more performances that feature New Jersey Symphony musicians to MPAC in Morristown. This expanded collaboration ensures that both our great institutions immerse even more audiences to dance and music. New Jersey Symphony's mission is to connect with diverse communities throughout New Jersey, and this partnership makes certain we deliver on that promise.”

Friday, November 14 at 7:30pm - Season Opener: Visionary Voices - The season opens at Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) with a powerful contemporary program featuring:

* Jewel Box by Lauren Lovette

* In Creases by Justin Peck

* New Ancient Strings by Harrison Ball

Holiday Tradition: The Nutcracker - New Jersey Ballet’s cherished annual production of The Nutcracker with live music by the New Jersey Symphony runs from December 12-27 with a Sensory Friendly Performance scheduled on Friday, December 26 at 1:00pm. There are 15 performances in all.

March Residency at MPAC with NJ Symphony - New Jersey Ballet returns to MPAC in March with two major programs with the New Jersey Symphony.

March 20 at 7:30pm and March 21 at 2:00pm - Icons of the American Ballet  featuring the New Jersey Symphony

Serenade by George Balanchine

In the Night by Jerome Robbins

Nine Sinatra Songs by Twyla Tharp

March 21 at 7:30pm and March 22 at 2:00pm - Sleeping Beauty featuring New Jersey Symphony

* Full-length production of the timeless fairytale classic, featuring live music by New Jersey Symphony.

Tickets for these performances are now on sale at www.mayoarts.org or by calling 973-539-8008. Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) is located at 100 South Street in Morristown, New Jersey.

Celebrating 67 years, New Jersey Ballet remains a vital contributor to the state's rich performing arts scene, bringing dance to audiences across New Jersey and beyond. Under the leadership of Maria Kowroski, former Principal Dancer with New York City Ballet, the company is experiencing a vibrant artistic expansion—presenting bold repertory, commissioning new works, and enriching communities with accessible, world class dance.

Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, presents a wide range of programs that entertain, enrich, and educate the diverse population of the region and enhance the economic vitality of Northern New Jersey. The 2023-2024 season is made possible, in part, by a grant the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as support received from the F.M. Kirby Foundation, The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation and numerous corporations, foundations and individuals. Mayo Performing Arts Center was named 2016 Outstanding Historic Theatre by the League of Historic American Theatres, and is ranked in the top 50 mid-sized performing arts centers by Pollstar Magazine.