Orlando Ballet Opens Season with Swan Lake, and Immersive Experience Showcasing one of Ballet’s Most Iconic Roles
- Mateo
- Oct 6
- 2 min read
Updated: Oct 10
The Orlando Ballet launches its 2025-26 season with feathers, false identities and fatal romance, as it presents Swan Lake, one of the most legendary ballets in the history of dance, at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Steinmetz Hall, Oct. 16-19. Featuring choreography by Christopher Stowell and live accompaniment by the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra’s 56 musicians under Guest Conductor Gabriel Gordon, this production promises an unforgettable experience for both longtime ballet lovers and first-time audiences.
Renee Shubov, Aria Smith, Kellie Fulton, Kate Gardinier, Sabrina Sierens, Kenna Gold
Set to Tchaikovsky’s beloved music, Swan Lake follows Prince Siegfried and Odette, a princess cursed by the evil sorcerer Baron von Rothbart to live as a swan. Alongside her, an entire flock of maidens are bound by the same spell. Their encounter by a moonlit lake sparks a love that could break the curse, but a cruel deception threatens their chance at freedom. When the sorcerer’s daughter, Odile, pretends to be Odette to trick the prince, the story unfolds into a haunting journey through love and betrayal. Timeless and deeply human, Swan Lake continues to move audiences of all ages with its beauty and emotional power.
The leading ballerina must embody both Odette, the White Swan, and Odile, the Black Swan. This dual role, demanding both physical precision and emotional depth, has challenged and defined generations of ballerinas. The stark contrast between innocence and seduction makes Swan Lake one of the most difficult roles ever created.
“The transformation between the two characters happens in real time, in front of the audience,” said Orlando Ballet Artistic Director Jorden Morris. “It’s a tough ask, physically and emotionally, for the dancer to make that transition so quickly. But that’s what makes Swan Lake so powerful. Christopher Stowell’s choreography allows audiences to truly experience the tension and the struggle. The breathtaking performance and emotional engagement are what keep audiences coming back to this incredible story.”
Producing a ballet of this magnitude is no small feat. Eighty-five dancers, including 28 students from Orlando Ballet school ranging in age from seven and up, take the stage, while more than 400 pairs of pointe shoes carry the story forward. Behind the curtain, 22 crew members work tirelessly to ensure every moment of the production shines. No other organization in Central Florida is equipped to bring Swan Lake to life at this level.
“Swan Lake is a remarkable production requiring extraordinary commitment from our entire organization.” said Morris. “This show also represents an amazing opportunity for our Orlando Ballet School students to take an active role in a large-scale production. For many, the experience of being a part of Swan Lake will begin a lifelong passion for dance and the performing arts.”
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit Orlandoballet.org, call +1 (407) 918-9828 or email boxoffice@orlandoballet.org Ticket fees are included in online and phone transactions. Exclusive pricing is available for groups of 10 or more. For group reservations, call +1 (407) 918-9828 or email boxoffice@orlandoballet.org.