This fall, Ballet Arizona brought the timeless fairytale of The Sleeping Beauty to life on stage. The magic of the story, the exquisite choreography, and the beauty of Tchaikovsky’s score reminds us why classical ballet endures— and why your support is vital to keeping it alive.
In a time when life unfolds behind a screen, your choice to experience live performance with us allows this art form to thrive. Preserving works like The Sleeping Beauty ensures that new generations of dancers and viewers experience the beauty, complexity, and historical significance of these treasured productions. As Artistic Director, Daniela Cardim shared, “As a ballet company, we are the gatekeepers of the classical canon- works like The Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, Giselle, and Romeo and Juliet. These ballets are what made the art form famous and it’s our responsibility to keep them alive.”
During rehearsals, Cardim’s focus was to balance tradition with her own artistic voice. Ballet is always evolving, and her thoughtful adaptations of Petipa’s original choreography reflected both the needs of our dancers and clarity of the story.
For our dancers, performing iconic roles, like Princess Aurora, is a cherished and challenging experience in their careers. These classical ballets are essential to a dancer’s technical and artistic development – challenging them to master the precision of the 19th century style while being versatile to the revised choreography. Company Dancer, Katelyn May reflected, “It was such a privilege to retire dancing the role of Aurora. I so admire and appreciate Ballet Arizona and its patrons for preserving classical ballets like ‘The Sleeping Beauty’ not only because they are a challenge for the dancers, but also because they transport audiences to lands of imagination and magic that just aren’t a part of our fast paced society today. Who doesn’t need a little magic every now and then?”
Keeping these masterpieces alive takes more than artistry—it takes a community that values the shared experience of live performance. Every costume, set piece, and hour of rehearsal is made possible by our generous donors and patrons. As a nonprofit organization, ticket sales only cover half of our operating costs. Your generosity ensures that classical masterpieces like The Sleeping Beauty continue to grace our stage and inspire generations to come.
Keep the magic alive by making a gift today because preserving the classics starts with you!
P.S. Can you believe 2026 is almost here? Make your 100% tax-deductible gift before December 31, 2025 and claim it on your 2025 taxes.
