In a milestone moment for Queensland Ballet, new Artistic Director, Ivan Gil-Ortega, today unveiled his inaugural 2026 Season, an ambitious program signalling the beginning of his artistic leadership since his appointment in February 2025.
Introducing fresh new creative voices and new collaborations, the season features a rich selection of works that will showcase the company’s distinctive artistry.
The landmark program will feature one world premiere and seven Australian premieres, with five of the world’s most influential choreographers, including Christian Spuck (Germany), Leo Mujić (Croatia), Derek Deane (England), Anabelle Lopez Ochoa (Argentina) and Goyo Montero (Spain).
Gil-Ortega said Queensland Ballet is entering a new era, a chapter defined by connection, collaboration, and creative ambition.
“The 2026 season captures dance in all its breadth, timeless classical masterpieces, bold new choreographic voices shaping the artform’s future, and beloved ballets reimagined for today’s audiences. Queensland Ballet’s season balances discovery and tradition, and is designed to inform, enlighten and broaden audiences’ understanding of dance.
I’d also like to acknowledge the visionary support of the Ken Talbot Foundation, our Principal Guardian from 2026. With heartfelt gratitude, we thank them for their extraordinary, continuing guardianship of Queensland Ballet, enabling us to dream big on and off the stage. Hand-in-hand with them, we can’t wait to engage with as many people as possible, in spaces and places throughout Queensland, including our beloved Talbot Theatre.”
2026 Season Details:
Messa da Requiem
Director and Choreographer Christian Spuck
27 March – 4 April | Glasshouse Theatre, QPAC
In a major coup for Queensland audiences, Queensland Ballet proudly presents acclaimed European choreographer, Christian Spuck’s monumental production, Messa da Requiem, in an exclusive season at the newly opened Glasshouse Theatre, Queensland Performing Arts Centre.
A landmark collaboration with the state’s leading companies — Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Brisbane Chorale and Canticum Chamber Choir —Messa da Requiem unleashes the full force of dance, music, and opera to elevate Verdi’s score to new heights.
“I’m delighted to welcome one of the world’s most audacious and pioneering choreographers, Christian Spuck, to Queensland Ballet. Christian is the Director at Staatsballett Berlin, and will bring his epic interpretation of Verdi’s Messa da Requiem – a monumental work of incredible scale and intensity, and as well as The Seventh Blue, as part of the Strings triple bill.
Through these works I am introducing Queensland audiences to the canon of Christian Spuck, a choreographer whom I’ve known and worked with since 1995.”
Presented in association with QPAC and generous support from the Messa da Requiem Giving Circle.
Watch the trailer with director and choreographer Christian Spuck, Dutch National Opera & Ballet here.
Elastic Hearts
Music by Sia
Director and choreographer Garry Stewart
30 April – 2 May | Talbot Theatre, Thomas Dixon Centre
Known for his pioneering choreography and physically demanding performances, choreographer and former Artistic Director of Australian Dance Theatre, Garry Stewart, will bring Sia’s anthems of vulnerability, defiance, and transformation to life in this unexpected fusion of high energy dance and emotionally charged Australian pop music.
Stewart describes the work, Elastic Hearts, as a creative response to the music of Sia Furler, the celebrated Australian artist, originally from Adelaide and now based in LA.
“The track, Elastic Heart, speaks to the strength and resilience of the human heart and human relationships, the interconnections we have to each other, and the necessity for finding community.”
– Garry Stewart
Music arranged to orchestral score by Elliott Wheeler (The Great Gatsby) and recorded by Queensland Symphony Orchestra.
Strings – A Triple Bill
22 – 30 May | The Playhouse, QPAC
Chacona by Goyo Montero (Spain)
The Seventh Blue by Christian Spuck (Germany)
Chamber Minds by Edward Clugg (Romania)
Presenting three Australian premieres, Queensland Ballet invites audiences to experience the remarkable range of works by leading choreographers Edward Clugg, Christian Spuck and Guy Montero.
Strings opens at the Playhouse Theatre, Queensland Performing Arts Centre, followed by tours to Toowoomba and Cairns.
With dramatically contrasting styles all set to live music by Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra, the Strings triple bill showcases the versatility of Queensland Ballet dancers and the continuing evolution of dance.
“This is an extraordinary opportunity for our audiences to experience the latest creations from some of the world’s most influential choreographers, works that are shaping ballet’s future. Premiering these works in Brisbane, and then touring them across Queensland, we hope to introduce a whole new generation of people to the power and beauty of world-class ballet.”
– Ivan Gil-Ortega
Watch the trailer for Chacona here and Chamber Minds here.
Hamlet
Choreographer Leo Mujić
19 June – 18 July | Talbot Theatre, Thomas Dixon Centre
Queensland Ballet presents the Australian premiere of Hamlet, a bold and contemporary reimagining of Shakespeare’s epic drama by choreographer, Leo Mujić of the Croation National Theatre.
Through the haunting sounds of Saint-Saëns and Tchaikovsky, Mujić harnesses the language of movement to convey both the external drama and Hamlet’s turbulent inner thoughts.
With costumes by Manuela Paladin Šabanović and electrifying staging by Stefano Katuna, Hamlet is an evocative reimagining of Shakespeare’s dark and sweeping tale. Leo Mujić is widely celebrated across Europe for his cinematic storytelling and emotionally charged dance theatre.
“In an Australian first, I am also thrilled to present Hamlet by Romanian visionary director, Leo Mujić, offering audiences a fresh and unforgettable take on Shakespeare’s classic story. Celebrated for his storytelling and striking, contemporary movement language, Leo’s productions have captivated audiences across Europe and North America. We are honoured to introduce his unique vision to Australian dance lovers.”
– Ivan Gil-Ortega
Watch the trailer here.
Red Riding Hood and the Wolf
Choreographer Paul Boyd
With narration by Sarah McIntosh
26 June – 4 July | Talbot Theatre, Thomas Dixon Centre
During the holiday season, Queensland Ballet continues its commitment to cultivating young audiences with its popular series, My First Ballet, designed specifically for children under eight.
Red Riding Hood and the Wolf is a playful and modern twist on the beloved Little Red Riding Hood tale. In this fresh retelling, Ruby is a curious and lively girl who drifts into a fantastical dream. Her dream whisks her away on a colourful adventure filled with quirky characters, unexpected challenges, and plenty of laughs.
The traditional wolf is reimagined as a mischievous figure within Ruby’s dream – more puzzling than predatory – adding a touch of mystery and fun without the fright. With its light-hearted spirit and imaginative storytelling, this production celebrates the power of dreams, the joy of exploration, and the magic of seeing the world through a child’s eyes.
Performed by the Jette Parker Young Artists Ensemble. Set to the music by Shostakovich.
Gala
Academy of Queensland Ballet
6 – 8 August | Talbot Theatre, Thomas Dixon Centre
The annual Academy of Queensland Ballet Gala celebrates the future of ballet. Featuring a dazzling mix of classical, neo-classical, and contemporary works, this event showcases the extraordinary artistry of the Academy’s Upper School and Pre-Professional Program dancers.
Audiences will be inspired by new creations, celebrated repertoire, and the thrilling finale – the Academy Défilé, uniting all levels of training on stage. A proud highlight of the year, the Gala offers a glimpse into the next generation of ballet stars destined for stages worldwide.
The Academy of Queensland Ballet – first established by Queensland Ballet founder, Charles Lisner in 1953, is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of professional artists, sought after across Australia and internationally. Today, Academy alumni make up 52% of Queensland Ballet’s Company, and since 2015, more than 340 graduates have secured contracts with many of the world’s leading dance companies.
Soirée
Academy of Queensland Ballet
Inspired by Jeffrey Smart
24 – 26 September | Talbot Theatre, Thomas Dixon Centre
The Academy of Queensland Ballet presents Soirée — its celebrated annual season that fuses visual art, dance, and live orchestral music.
Drawing inspiration from a leading Australian contemporary artist, in 2026, Soirée will bring to life the iconic works of Jeffrey Smart, transforming his bold, evocative imagery into a breathtaking performance experience. Presented in collaboration with Philip Bacon Galleries and Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra.
Bespoke
2 – 17 October | Talbot Theatre, Thomas Dixon Centre
Now in its eighth year the mixed bill, Bespoke, is a creative collision of brand-new works by Australian choreographers, designers, composers and artists. For 2026, Artistic Director Ivan Gil-Ortega has expanded the vision, inviting choreographers, composers, designers, and interdisciplinary artists to collaborate with Queensland Ballet.
The result: boundary-pushing premieres that merge movement, music, and design in unexpected ways. Audiences will witness bold ideas transformed into performance, showcasing the artistry of collaboration at its most dynamic. Innovative, challenging, and unforgettable – Bespoke is a celebration of the cutting edge of dance.
“I was trained under one of the 20th centuries most prolific choreographers, John Cranko, who believed in developing not only dancers, but also musicians, choreographers and designers. That philosophy has stayed with me throughout my entire career.”
– Ivan Gil-Ortega
Over 60 submissions have been received and creative collaborators will be announced soon.
The Nutcracker
Director and Choreographer Derek Deane
Designer Lez Brotherston
9 – 19 December | QPAC
Queensland Ballet will usher in a new era in 2026 with a specially commissioned production by internationally renowned choreographer Derek Deane, OBE.
“A highlight I’m particularly excited about is the world premiere of British director, Derek Deane’s, The Nutcracker, which I specially commissioned for Queensland Ballet. This new production is made possible through the generosity of the Ken Talbot Foundation.
This new commission comes from the same visionary creative team behind the hugely successful Strictly Gershwin, features striking new characters and lavish designs by Lez Brotherston OBE, the renowned associate artist with New Adventures and Matthew Bourne, in a reimagined classic to enchant families for years to come.”
– Ivan Gil Ortega
Deane has reimagined the treasured story, creating several new characters and subtle plot twists that promise to surprise and delight. Deane trained at The Royal Ballet School and went on to become a principal dancer for The Royal Ballet. After retiring from the stage, he became Artistic Director of the English National Ballet in 1993, and in 2000 was awarded an OBE.
Deane has also created works for The Royal Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Teatro Alla Scala, Shanghai Ballet and Queensland Ballet who have performed two of his works, Strictly Gershwin and The Lady of the Camellias.
The Nutcracker will feature designs by Lez Brotherston OBE (Adventures in Motion Pictures).
Executive Director, Ms Dilshani Weerasinghe said the 2026 season is grounded in cross-cultural collaborations and celebrates Queensland Ballet’s long ties to Europe, dating back to its founding by French born, Charles Lisner.
“Ivan not only brings his own lived-in experience as a Principal dancer with Stuttgart Ballet and Dutch National Ballet, but also a global perspective, new ideas and fresh tastes that are shaped by his international career.
At Queensland Ballet we tell stories that connect with people. Ivan’s first season introduces a dynamic group of choreographers whose fresh and compelling perspectives reflect the world around us. This is about ensuring ballet remains relevant, moving and accessible.
Under Ivan’s leadership, we will take our audiences, our artists and our supporters, on a journey of renewed purpose: to deliver bold productions that connect deeply with diverse audiences, amplifies sector collaboration, and generates lasting cultural and economic value for our Company, and our State.”
Queensland Ballet Season 2026 ticket packages will be available for sale to the public on Monday, 20 October 2025.
Website: https://www.queenslandballet.com.au/
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/qldballet/
Photo credits: David Kelly
