Recent Performances
Swan Lake
May 9-11, 2014
When the beautiful Odette spurns the advances of the sorcerer von Rothbart, he delivers a curse that transforms her into a swan whenever the sun rises. Young Prince Siegfried goes hunting and spies Odette as a lovely swan and later as a woman. He discovers her secret and they fall in love, but von Rothbart has other plans. Will love conquer all?
Tchaikovsky’s dramatic score sets the tone for this classic ballet, which features professional sets, lavish costumes and 75 local dancers.
The Nutcracker
December 13-22, 2013
Sadness turns to wonder as a broken nutcracker doll comes to life and whisks young Clara away to a magical land filled with dancing sweets!
7:30pm evening shows Fridays and Saturdays and 2pm matinees Saturdays and Sundays.
Click to see photos.
Young Choreographer’s Showcase
Sunday August 25, 2013
Olympia High Performing Arts Center
A celebration of youth innovation in music and dance! Featuring musicians of the Student Orchestras of greater Olympia.
The Sleeping Beauty
May 10th – 12th, 2013
Tchaikovsky’s beloved ballet features a cursed princess, faeries, and a prince who awakens a sleeping kingdom. Appearances by fairy tale friends like Red Riding Hood, Puss N’ Boots and Hansel and Gretel will engage the entire family! Ballet Northwest’s production includes professional sets, lavish costumes, 75 local dancers and guest artist Iyun Harrison, formerly of Dance Theater of Harlem.
See The Olympian’s photo essay
Olympia Dance Festival 
Sunday, March 3rd, 2013 at 2pm
Featuring a guest appearance by Maria Chapman, Principal Dancer with Pacific Northwest Ballet!
Performances By: Ballet Northwest, Centralia Ballet Academy, Comerford School of Irish Dance, Debbi’s Dance, Etc., Johansen Olympia Dance Center, Mas Uda Middle Eastern Dancers, Random Acts of Dance Collective (RADCO), Slieveloughane Irish Dancers, Southwest Washington Dance Ensemble and Studio West Dance Academy
The Nutcracker
December 14th – 23rd, 2012
Gather your family together and spread some holiday cheer! Ballet Northwest’s annual production of Tchaikovsky’s classic tale features over 200 dancers with beautiful costumes and stunning sets.
Read the Olympian Article
Professional photographs of the Final Dress rehearsals can be viewed and purchased from Jerome Tso Photography:
Wednesday December 12
Thursday December 13
Carnival of the Animals and Other Premiere Works
A menagerie of classical and contemporary dance featuring members of the Olympia Symphony Orchestra
May 11-13, 2012, Mother’s Day Weekend
Media Sponsor: KUOW 94.9 fm
In this groundbreaking collaboration, Director Huw Edwards and musicians of the Olympia Symphony Orchestra will provide BNW dancers with live accompaniment for three world premiere ballets: Carnival of the Animals, an exciting ballet for the whole family choreographed by Artistic Directors Ken and Josie Johnson to the music of Camille Saint Saens, Arrakis, a contemporary ballet choreographed to music by Bach, Ravel, Vivaldi, Coldplay, and more by South African choreographer Joanne Holbrook, andMozart Divertimento– a neoclassical ballet choreographed by Artistic Directors Ken and Josie Johnson to Mozart’s famous Eine Kleine Nachtmusik and other works.
Read the Olympian article
See the Photo Gallery
The Nutcracker
December 9-18, 2011
Our favorite holiday tradition, and yours! Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker returns to Olympia, charming families with the story of Clara and her journey to the Land of Sweets.
Read the article in the Olympian.
Coppélia
May 6 – 8, 2011 A comedic ballet where dolls come to life!
Sponsored by the Nisqually Indian Tribe, Olympia Federal Savings, Puget Sound Energy Foundation, The Olympian and Mixx 96.1 FM.
Read The Olympian’s article about Coppelia.
See The Olympian’s Online Photo Gallery of a rehearsal of Coppelia.
Olympia Dance Festival
March 5-6, 2011
Ballet Northwest had the wonderful opportunity to co-host and participate in the second annual Olympia Dance Festival, in partnership with the Washington Center for the Performing Arts. Top dance groups from throughout the South Sound gathered to showcase their talents in ballet, hip-hop, salsa, Irish dance and more.
The Nutcracker
December 10-19, 2010
Sponsored by Kell-Chuck Glass, The Olympian, and Mixx 96.1 FM.
View and purchase glorious pictures of Ballet Northwest’s 2010 production of The Nutcracker, shot by Jerome Tso.
See The Olympian’s Online Photo Gallery of a rehearsal of The Nutcracker.
Read The Olympian‘s article about Nutcracker 2010.
Swan Lake
To mark its 40th Anniversary, Ballet Northwest presented the Olympia premiere of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lakein May, 2010. As this was the premiere performance, Ballet Northwest created all new sets, costumes, and props with the help of the Swan Lake Society and Tutu Sponsors.
View and purchase Swan Lake photos
Read the Olympian preview