The Australian Ballet will be the first company outside of New York City Ballet to perform the wonderful Copland Dance Episodes, a joyous modern ballet by Tony Award-winning choreographer Justin Peck, set to the iconic music of Aaron Copland.
The production premieres at Melbourne’s Regent Theatre from 23 June – 2 July, with Orchestra Victoria, before travelling to the Sydney Opera House’s Joan Sutherland Theatre from 6 – 21 November, with Opera Australia Orchestra.
A thrilling fusion of athleticism, technique and energy, Copland Dance Episodes surges with precision and a visually striking feast of colour and movement. Across 22 episodes, 30 dancers bring four vivid scores by legendary composer Aaron Copland to life.
His distinctly American music pulses through every leap, turn, and ensemble moment, showcasing the strength, grace, and iconic power and refinement of The Australian Ballet. Audiences will be swept up in the exhilarating escapism of Copland Dance Episodes, a production defined by its playfulness and the pleasure of watching world-class artists in motion.
“Justin Peck has a rare ability to create work that feels electrifying and alive. If you loved Everywhere We Go, you’ll recognise the same momentum and joy in Copland Dance Episodes,” said The Australian Ballet’s Artistic Director David Hallberg.
“It pushes our dancers in exciting ways, which always gives the audience a true sense of surprise through movement. Copland’s music resonates deeply with Peck. Sharing it with our audiences for the first time outside of New York adds a special meaning to this work.”
“Bringing Copland Dance Episodes to Australia is a major endorsement of the Company’s global artistic standing and a testament to the exceptional calibre of our dancers,” added Hallberg.
Following his acclaimed Australian debut with Everywhere We Go in 2022, Justin Peck, Resident Choreographer of New York City Ballet, is one of the most celebrated choreographers of his generation. With credits across ballet, Broadway and film, including Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story, and the 2023 film Maestro, Peck has earned three Tony Awards for Best Choreography.
The production features bold set designs by acclaimed Choctaw-Cherokee artist Jeffrey Gibson, costumes by former New York City Ballet dancer Ellen Warren, and lighting by Brandon Stirling Baker, amplifying the work’s energy, freedom and expression.
The Melbourne season of Copland Dance Episodes marks The Australian Ballet’s final performances at the Regent Theatre before the Company relocates back to the Ian Potter State Theatre.
Copland Dance Episodes
Regent Theatre, Collins Street, Melbourne
Season: 23 June – 2 July 2026
Bookings: www.ticketek.com.au
Joan Sutherland Theatre – Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, Sydney
Season: 6 – 21 November 2026
Bookings: www.sydneyoperahouse.com
For more information, visit: www.australianballet.com.au for details.
Image: Elijah Trevitt, Larissa Kiyoto-Ward, Lilla Harvey, Isobelle Dashwood and Jett Ramsay – photo by Pierre Toussaint