Dallas/Ft Worth

Change is afoot for Bruce Wood Dance Dallas in its 17th season, as Melissa M. Young steps into the role of artistic director and Joy Bollinger transitions to resident choreographer and répétiteur.

Since its founding in 2012, Dallas’s Avant Chamber Ballet has commissioned more than 50 world-premiere ballets, including four full-length works, all from female or minority choreographers. Its 2026-27 season continues that tradition with world premieres from founding artistic director Katie Puder and former New York City ballet principal Jock Soto, but audiences can also expect plenty of classical ballet’s greatest hits, including The Nutcracker and the second act of Swan Lake. The season also features the most performance dates in the company’s 15-year history, all occurring at Moody Performance Hall.