West Australian Ballet has unveiled its 2026 program Of Here. From Then., a season that spans gothic classics, festive tradition, daring new creations and the return of some of the company’s most-loved works.
It is the first season to be announced under incoming Artistic Director Leanne Stojmenov, who frames the year as both a reflection on the company’s legacy and a signal of where it is heading. “Season 2026 celebrates some of our most loved works from West Australian Ballet’s history, while opening the stage to bold new creations. This season reflects who we are. A company proud of its past, ambitious for its future, and deeply connected to our audiences.”
A summer spark: Ballet at the Quarry
For many Perth audiences, summer begins at the Quarry Amphitheatre, where dance is staged against the open night sky. In 2026 the tradition continues with Incandescence: Ballet at the Quarry, a program of four world premieres. Acclaimed choreographers Tim Harbour and Ihsan Rustem will contribute new works, joined by West Australian Ballet’s own Chihiro Nomura and Polly Hilton in their first mainstage choreographic commissions. It promises to be a season of discovery, spotlighting choreographers at different points in their artistic journeys.
Dracula rises again
Few works in the company’s recent history have struck as strong a chord as Krzysztof Pastor’s Dracula. First staged in 2018, this sensuous and theatrical retelling of Bram Stoker’s tale returns in 2026, accompanied by designs from Phil R. Daniels and Charles Cusick Smith. In a significant milestone for the company, Dracula will also tour to Adelaide, marking West Australian Ballet’s first interstate appearance in over a decade. “We’re so excited to share this powerful and seductive story with new audiences,” Stojmenov says.
Genesis of the future
Genesis, once an internal platform for dancers to test ideas and expand their craft, has grown into a fixture of the company’s calendar. Audiences now eagerly anticipate the intimate season each year, where the boundary between studio experiment and stage-ready choreography blurs. The program has launched the careers of several emerging creators, and 2026 looks set to continue that trajectory.
A festive return: The Nutcracker
To close the year, the company returns to the sparkle of The Nutcracker. For some, it is a first encounter with ballet. For others, it is a seasonal ritual. Either way, Clara’s magical adventure with her Nutcracker prince and the mischievous Rat King remains an enduring symbol of wonder, family tradition and celebration.
Season at a glance
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Incandescence: Ballet at the Quarry – 6 to 28 February, Quarry Amphitheatre, City Beach
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Dracula – 17 to 22 April, Festival Theatre, Adelaide Festival Centre; 15 to 30 May, His Majesty’s Theatre (with West Australian Symphony Orchestra)
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Genesis – 25 June to 4 July, West Australian Ballet Centre
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The Nutcracker – 20 November to 13 December, His Majesty’s Theatre (with West Australian Philharmonic Orchestra)
West Australian Ballet’s 2026 season Of Here. From Then. positions the company at an important juncture, balancing signature works that have defined its repertoire with new commissions that signal a broadening artistic ambition under Leanne Stojmenov’s directorship.