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STORY BALLET is a contemporary reimagining of Hector Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique into a multidisciplinary quintet examining the intersections of mental health, escapism, and societal stereotypes premiering in 2026.

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The work utilizes the backstory of Hector Berlioz’s psychedelic symphony to create an ‘evening length ballet’. Berlioz’s original narrative objectifies “the/a woman” as an obsession. STORY BALLET queers this concept, redefining the symphony’s story as “dancing with the ghost of one’s self.”

 

The cast of five embodies different facets of the central character, each grappling with their own obsessions and past selves. The fixation on physical identity and preservation within a dancer’s career serves as a framework for shaping each performer’s ghost. Noir lighting, holographic projections akin to 1800’s Pepper’s Ghost illusions, and live sound sampling reinforce this theme.

 

STORY BALLET is set to premiere at Dance Place in DC in 2026.

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directed by: 

taylor knight  | anna thompson

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STORY BALLET collaborating artists:
Theo Bliss |  | Maree ReMalia

Christian Warner​

 

STORY BALLET design collaborators:

slowdanger (Sound)
ProjectileObjects (Visuals)

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advisory committee:

Morgan Peterson | Liana Manese | Kathleen Gaines

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creative producer:

Joshua Bristow

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STORY BALLET was supported by New Music USA’s Organization Fund in 2025-26, Opportunity Fund, the New Work Development Residency at Texas A&M's College of Performance, Visualization and Fine Arts, The PNC Charitable Trusts, The Pittsburgh Foundation A W Mellon Fund,

 

STORY BALLET is a National Performance Network (NPN) Creation & Development Fund Project co-commissioned by Dance Place in partnership with Texas A&M University, and NPN. The Creation & Development Fund is supported by the Doris Duke Foundation and the Mellon Foundation. For more information, visit www.npnweb.org

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