COVID-19 Updates and Information

Changes to the upcoming 2020/21 Season

These unparalleled circumstances have necessitated a revision to our originally planned 2020/21 Season. We are working to optimize the upcoming season to create the safest and most joyful collection and schedule of performances. We will share these changes with you soon; as we navigate this new world, we deeply appreciate your support and patience.

Swan Lake Information for Season Ticket Holders

We are so grateful for your outpouring of support, messages of encouragement, and enthusiasm to renew for our 2020/21 Season of JOY. We want to make the transfer of Swan Lake tickets and season renewal process as easy as possible for our Season Ticket Holders. Please see the below, and email tickets@washingtonballet.org with any questions.

2019/20 Season Ticket Holders who have already renewed for the 2020/21 Season:
Swan Lake will replace Cinderella as the season-closing production. Therefore, If you have already renewed for the 2020/21 season, you now have an extra ticket on your account. We will be reaching out to you in the next few weeks with options to donate, upgrade, exchange, or refund.

2019/20 Season Ticket Holders who have not yet renewed for 2020/21 Season:
Your 2019/20 Swan Lake tickets have automatically been moved to the new production dates, and your 2020/21 Season Ticket Package now has a reduced price. If you have yet to renew your Season Ticket Package for the 2020/21 season, simply email tickets@washingtonballet.org and request an updated, reduced renewal rate and we will help you process your renewal. Alternatively, you may still complete the form you received in the mail and we will reach out to you with an updated, reduced rate before processing your transaction.

As a Season Ticket Holder of The Washington Ballet, you get to experience all the magic of the ballet with a variety of perks, including complimentary Nutcracker tickets, retaining your seat season after season, and more. Know that when you purchase a Season Ticket Package with The Washington Ballet, you are buying with confidence. We understand that flexibility and your safety are key during this uncertain time, and that’s why with every season ticket purchase, we guarantee your ability to credit your purchase towards any future The Washington Ballet performance, donate your tickets to our nonprofit cause, or receive a full refund.

Swan Lake Single Ticket Holders (tickets purchased through the Kennedy Center)

For those who purchased tickets to our April 9-19, 2020 production of Swan Lake, your tickets will automatically be migrated to the May 6-16, 2021 production dates – for the same day of the week and time in the same seats. All patrons choosing to retain their tickets for Swan Lake will receive their new tickets this Fall. If you wish to exchange your ticket for a different show, switch to another Washington Ballet performance at the Kennedy Center, receive a credit for a future Washington Ballet performance, or request a refund, please contact the Kennedy Center Advance Sales Box Office at 202-416-8540 between 10:00AM and 5:00PM Monday-Friday, or email BoxOffice-AdvanceSales@kennedy-Center.org.

Thank You for Your Support and Patience
It is during the difficult times that we are reminded of our shared humanity, the need to care for one another, and the beauty of art that invaluably adds to our lives. Stay safe and healthy, and we can’t wait to be together again and celebrate the beauty, athleticism, and artistry of The Washington Ballet.

Digital Adult Ballet Classes for the Week of April 27

As of April 27, 2020

Take class with TWB this week! Find this week’s digital class schedule below and read more about our live-stream and On Demand classes.

This Week’s Live Open Class Schedule:

Tuesday, April 28
12:30-2:00PM EDT, Advanced Beginner Ballet with Damien Johnson

Wednesday, April 29
12:00-1:30PM EDT, Beginner Ballet 2 with Therese Gahl
6:00-7:00PM EDT, Stretch, Agility, and Strength with Jessy Dick

Thursday, April 30
6:00-7:30PM EDT, Beginner Ballet 1 with Jessy Dick

Friday, May 1
12:00-1:30PM EDT, Advanced Beginner Ballet with Nancie Woods

Saturday, May 2
10:00AM-11:30am EDT, Beginner Ballet 2 with Shu-Chen Cuff

These open classes provide adult students the opportunity to receive feedback, in real-time, in a live-streamed ballet class setting. Classes cost $13 and enrollment is required.

To register, login to your adult student account or create a new student account. Once logged in, select the “TWSB for Adults” tab, then “Adult Programs” from the drop down list. Click “Enroll Now” for the class you would like to attend. Need help accessing your account or want to use a class credit? Email Kourtney Ginn.  Registration will close when the class reaches capacity or 30 minutes prior to class.

This Week’s ‘Pay What You Can’ Class Schedule:

Saturday, May 2
12:00-1:30PM EDT, Advanced Beginner Ballet with TWSB Senior Faculty and Company Teacher, Rinat Imaev
To join, register here. Class will open 10 minutes prior to the start time.

While payment for the class is not required, we do hope participants will consider making a donation to our Stronger Than Ever campaign, created to ensure that the current COVID-19 state of emergency strengthens our commitment to each other and our art form.

Digital Adult Ballet Classes for the Week of April 20

As of April 20, 2020

Take class with TWB this week! Find this week’s digital class schedule below and read more about our live-stream and On Demand classes.

This Week’s Live Open Class Schedule:

Tuesday, April 21
12:30-2:00PM EDT, Advanced Beginner Ballet with Damien Johnson

Wednesday, April 22
12:00-1:30PM EDT, Beginner Ballet 2 with Therese Gahl

Thursday, April 23
6:00-7:30PM EDT, Beginner Ballet 1 with Jessy Dick

Friday, April 24
12:00-1:30PM EDT, Advanced Beginner Ballet with Nancie Woods

Saturday, April 25
10:00-11:30AM EDT, Beginner Ballet 2 with Shu-Chen Cuff

12:00-1:00PM EDT, Stretch, Agility, and Strength with Jessy Dick

These open classes provide adult students the opportunity to receive feedback, in real-time, in a live-streamed ballet class setting. Classes cost $13 and enrollment is required.

To register, login to your adult student account or create a new student account. Once logged in, select the “TWSB for Adults” tab, then “Adult Programs” from the drop down list. Click “Enroll Now” for the class you would like to attend. Need help accessing your account or want to use a class credit? Email Kourtney Ginn.  Registration will close when the class reaches capacity or 30 minutes prior to class.

This Week’s ‘Pay What You Can’ Class Schedule:

Wednesday, April 22
6:00-7:30PM EDT, Advanced Beginner Ballet with Company Dancer, Katherine Barkman

To join, register here. Class will open 10 minutes prior to the start time.

While payment for the class is not required, we do hope participants will consider making a donation to our Stronger Than Ever campaign, created to ensure that the current COVID-19 state of emergency strengthens our commitment to each other and our art form.

Announcing On Demand Adult Ballet Classes

April 16, 2020

Take recorded classes from TWSB faculty as it fits your schedule! Purchase On Demand videos for $8 and enjoy the video for seven days. Students may repurchase videos for continued viewing.

Follow these steps to access and purchase On Demand classes:

• Login to your adult student account or create a new student account
• Need help with your password or accessing an existing account? Email Kourtney Ginn.
• Once logged in, select the “TWSB for Adults” tab.
• Select “Video List” to see all available videos. Select “Video Playlist” to view groups of videos that correspond to one another by series or level.
• To purchase and view videos, select the film icon then click “Make Your Payment”.
• After purchasing, you will have access to the video for seven days. Continue to view by logging into your student account.

Videos will be updated weekly as we build our library of offerings. Questions about On Demand Videos? Email Kourtney Ginn

Social Media Happenings

April 13, 2020

Tune in on Instagram and Facebook and engage with our Company dancers in real-time!

This week:

Wednesday, April 15, 10:00AM ET, The Washington Ballet’s Facebook LIVE
TWB Tots: Alphabet Moves with DeMoya Watson Brown
Join the fun as we bend, twist, curve, and lengthen the body to form shapes like a dancer during our first TWB Tots class! These creative movement classes are designed for kids ages 3-5 to explore improvisational movements of the body with an educational approach.

Thursday, April 16, 12:00PM ET, @thewashingtonballet Instagram LIVE
Lunchtime Barre with Katherine Barkman
Dance with us during our weekly ballet barre with TWB company dancer, Katherine Barkman. This week, Katherine will focus on strength and conditioning.

Friday, April 17 @thewashingtonballet Instagram Story
An Afternoon with Adelaide
TWB company dancer Adelaide Clauss takes over our Instagram Story to show how she’s dancing and staying in shape at home, talks about her new Dancers Are blog, and answers your questions.

Digital Adult Ballet Classes for the Week of April 6

As of April 13, 2020

Take class with TWB this week! Find this week’s digital class schedule below and read more about our live-streamed classes.

This Week’s Live Open Class Schedule:

Tuesday, April 14
12:30-2:00pm EDT, Advanced Beginner Ballet with Damien Johnson

Wednesday, April 15
12:00-1:30PM EDT, Beginner Ballet 2 with Therese Gahl

Thursday, April 16
6:00-7:30PM EDT, Beginner Ballet 1 with Jessy Dick

Friday, April 17
12:00-1:30PM EDT, Advanced Beginner Ballet with Nancie Woods

Saturday, April 18
10:00-11:30AM EDT, Beginner Ballet 2 with Shu-Chen Cuff

These open classes provide adult students the opportunity to receive feedback, in real-time, in a live-streamed ballet class setting. Classes cost $13 and enrollment is required.

To register, login to your adult student account or create a new student account. Once logged in, select the “TWSB for Adults” tab, then “Adult Programs” from the drop down list. Click “Enroll Now” for the class you would like to attend. Need help accessing your account or want to use a class credit? Email Kourtney Ginn.  Registration will close when the class reaches capacity or 30 minutes prior to class.

This Week’s ‘Pay What You Can’ Class Schedule:

Saturday, April 18
12:00-1:30PM EDT, Advanced Beginner Ballet with TWSB Faculty, Damien Johnson

To join, register here. Class will open 10 minutes prior to the start time.

While payment for the class is not required, we do hope participants will consider making a donation to our Stronger Than Ever campaign, created to ensure that the current COVID-19 state of emergency strengthens our commitment to each other and our art form.

Coppélia Cancellation

Digital Adult Ballet Classes for the Week of April 6

As of April 6, 2020

Take class with TWB this week! Find this week’s digital class schedule below and read more about our live-streamed classes.

This Week’s Open Class Schedule:

Wednesday, April 8
12:00-1:30PM EDT, Beginner Ballet 2 with Therese Gahl

Thursday, April 9
10:30AM-12:00PM EDT, Intermediate Ballet with Damien Johnson
6:00-7:30PM EDT, Beginner Ballet 1 with Rafael Bejarano

Friday, April 10
12:00-1:30PM EDT, Advanced Beginner Ballet with Nancie Woods

Saturday, April 11
10:00am-11:30am EDT, Beginner Ballet 2 with Shu-Chen Cuff

These open classes provide adult students the opportunity to receive feedback, in real-time, in a live-streamed ballet class setting. Classes cost $13 and enrollment is required.

To register, login to your adult student account or create a new student account. Once logged in, select the “TWSB for Adults” tab, then “Adult Programs” from the drop down list. Click “Enroll Now” for the class you would like to attend. Need help accessing your account or want to use a class credit? Email Kourtney Ginn.  Registration will close when the class reaches capacity or 30 minutes prior to class.

This Week’s ‘Pay What You Can’ Class Schedule:

Saturday, April 11
12:00-1:30PM EDT, Advanced Beginner Ballet with TWB Professional Training Division Head, Xiomara Reyes.
To join, register here. The class will open 10 minutes prior to the start time.

While payment for the class is not required, we do hope participants will consider making a donation to our Stronger Than Ever campaign, created to ensure that the current COVID-19 state of emergency strengthens our commitment to each other and our art form.

Digital Adult Ballet Classes for the Week of April 1

As of March 30, 2020

Take class with TWB this week! Find this week’s digital class schedule below and read more about our live-streamed classes.

This Week’s Open Class Schedule:

Wednesday, April 1
12:00–1:30PM EDT, Beginner Ballet 2 with Therese Gahl

Thursday, April 2
1:00–2:30PM EDT, Beginner Ballet 1 with Helga Paris-Morales

Friday, April 3
12:00–1:30PM EDT, Advanced Beginner Ballet with Nancie Woods 

Saturday, April 4
10:00–11:30AM EDT, Beginner Ballet 2 with Shu-Chen Cuff

These open classes provide adult students the opportunity to receive feedback, in real-time, in a live-streamed ballet class setting. Classes cost $13 and enrollment is required.

To register, login to your adult student account or create a new student account. Once logged in, select the “TWSB for Adults” tab, then “Adult Programs” from the drop down list. Click “Enroll Now” for the class you would like to attend. Need help accessing your account or want to use a class credit? Email Kourtney Ginn.  Registration will close when the class reaches capacity or 30 minutes prior to class.

This Week’s ‘Pay What You Can’ Class Schedule:

Wednesday, April 1
6:30–8:00pm EDT, Intermediate Ballet with Ruben Martin. Live accompaniment by David Morse, a pianist with the Cincinnati Ballet.

To join, click here or use Meeting ID # 714-215-573. No pre-registration is necessary.

While payment for the class is not required, we do hope participants will consider making a donation to our Stronger Than Ever campaign, created to ensure that the current COVID-19 state of emergency strengthens our commitment to each other and our art form.

Postponed: The Washington Ballet Gala

March 27, 2020

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are actively making arrangements to postpone the Gala, which was scheduled to be held on May 8 at The Anthem. We are finalizing details for a new date in the Fall and will be back in touch shortly once those details have been solidified.

Thank you for your continued support and for sticking by our side in these times of uncertainty. Together, we will come back stronger than ever. Stay safe, healthy, and happy.

Dance with us Digitally!

March 26, 2020

We are pleased to offer new, live-streamed class options for our Adult Program students and dancers around the world! Learn more here.

Stronger Than Ever Campaign

March 24, 2020

Over the decades, you have helped us build an incredibly strong community at The Washington Ballet. Together, we need to ensure that the current COVID-19 state of emergency strengthens our commitment to each other and our art form.

Your support of this special fundraising appeal, Stronger than Ever, will sustain the ballet during this time of crisis. Your generosity will ensure that we can reopen as soon as possible.

Every gift will go to ensure that we are able to return to the classroom, studio, and stage stronger than ever.

Through the generous support of Eve and William Lilley, your gift will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $200,000.

In time, this too shall pass, and we will be eager to celebrate with you the beauty in humanity that is revealed so exquisitely through our art form. We are incredibly grateful for your continued support, generosity, love, and strength.

Make a Donation Now

A Message from The Washington Ballet Leadership

March 23, 2020

Dear All,

As our world navigates this unprecedented global emergency, we are grieving the loss of the comfort and stability of the routine of our daily pursuits, either at work or school, and ponder the possibility of losing so much more. It is during the difficult times that we are reminded of our shared humanity and the need to care for one another… and that the stringent measures affecting us so dramatically are in place to protect the health of our local, national and worldwide population.

As The Washington Ballet explores new ways to serve our community with the transformative power of dance, we want to assure you that there is much beauty ahead, waiting on the other side of this crisis. We are grateful for your messages of support and appreciate your patience as we shift our immediate focus to a completely digital experience. With a tremendous effort from our School Division Heads and Donna Glover and Kourtney Ginn, we are building our virtual ballet school, which will include Google Classrooms and classwork for all levels with both live and recorded instruction and assignments. Our company and studio company dancers are joining forces with the entire international dance community, using social media platforms to dance together at home. Every day, we further develop new ways to connect virtually, striving to keep our dancers, students, families and broader community engaged and inspired while thoughtfully evaluating how best to position The Washington Ballet to weather this critical period and to flourish in the long term.

Remember, Lisa Gardiner established the first studio of “The Washington Ballet” in 1922 ~ it has withstood all of the hardships of the last century and it will survive this one!

During this precarious time, we recognize more than ever our dedication to carry forward hope and beauty through our art form and will do our best to offer support to our large and loving community. Our organization impacts thousands of lives…. internally, our dancers, students, families, staff, faculty, pianists, production and facilities crew; externally, our devoted patrons, our Dance DC residency partners and the 6,000+ DCPS students and residents to whom we have introduced our art form in this season alone through our field trips and Dance For All offerings.

Together, over decades, we have built an incredibly strong community, and together we need to ensure that the current state of emergency strengthens our commitment to each other and to The Washington Ballet. We are launching a special fundraising appeal called Stronger Than Ever to draw in much-needed support that will sustain the ballet during this time of crisis and enable us to return to the stage stronger than ever. We will continually update our website with information on how you can help us and will share what we are doing to help others.

In time, this too shall pass….and we will be eager to celebrate with you the beauty in humanity that is revealed so exquisitely through our art form. Until that time, we will continue to uplift, engage, and inspire, from afar, via our social media channels. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for your daily dose of #TWBdigitaldance. 

On behalf of The Washington Ballet dancers, staff, and Board, we remain positive and steadfast in our commitment to you. We are all in this together and will emerge stronger, together.

Sending appreciation and hope,

Julie Kent, Artistic Director & Michael Pastreich, Executive Director