At 96, Atlanta Ballet Brings a World of Dance to an Increasingly Diverse City

Editor’s note: Atlanta Ballet is an annual partner with Global Atlanta and the sponsor of its Culture channel.

As Atlanta Ballet enters its 96th season, the company continues to play a pivotal role in connecting Atlanta to the global arts scene by bringing internationally recognized performances, diverse artistic talent and culturally rich stories to audiences — helping to reinforce Atlanta’s reputation as a hub for international business and culture. 

“We have almost 50 percent international dancers in our company, and their presence helps bring a global perspective to Atlanta,” says Artistic Director Gennadi Nedvigin, now in his 10th season with Atlanta Ballet. “Our dancers enrich not only our performances but also the city’s international culture.” 

A Global Perspective on Atlanta 

Mr. Nedvigin first visited the city in 2014 to stage a ballet for the company.  

“The first impression of Atlanta was the heat wave, coming from San Francisco and also being from Russia,” he recalls with a laugh. “But I enjoyed how beautiful and green the city is and, later, I had the chance to learn more about the city and the people of the South.” 

Mr. Nedvigin quickly recognized Atlanta Ballet’s unique position as the Southeast’s only large, sustainable ballet company that produces all varieties of dance styles. That presence across five states gives the company a significant role, not just locally but regionally, he asserts. 

Bringing the World to Atlanta 

Since joining the company in 2016, Mr. Nedvigin has prioritized programming that balances classical and contemporary works, aiming to reach both seasoned ballet audiences and newcomers.  

“Hearing from audiences after performances, I’ve seen that different people enjoy different stories. It confirms that we must provide everything the world has to offer and share it with our audiences here in Atlanta,” he says. 

Mr. Nedvegin has prioritized international collaboration, bringing world-class choreographers from Europe, Australia and the Americas to Atlanta, and has spotlighted Atlanta Ballet’s diverse dancers, who come from nearly a dozen countries. 

Recent seasons have showcased globally significant works such as Coco Chanel: The Life of a Fashion Icon, a co-production with Hong Kong Ballet and Queensland Ballet from Australia.  

The upcoming 2025–26 season will feature another international collaboration with choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, highlighting the life of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. 

Engaging Atlanta’s Diverse Communities 

The ballet emphasizes outreach to Atlanta’s culturally diverse communities.  

“When we bring works focused on artists from other countries, we contact media and groups that serve those communities, inviting them to experience these stories,” Mr. Nedvigin explains.  

Atlanta’s large Latinx community, for instance, has responded enthusiastically to works celebrating Latin American heritage, he adds. 

Atlanta Ballet is also shaping the next generation of artists. Its Centre for Dance Education fosters a strong pipeline of talent, offering classes for all ages across three locations in Buckhead, Virginia-Highland and Midtown. 

Programs range from early childhood classes to professional training and Atlanta Ballet 2, a second company that bridges young dancers into professional careers. 

The company collaborates with local schools to bring ballet into classrooms and performance spaces, providing students with exposure to international works and technical aspects of theater production.  

“We’re teaching more than dance — we’re opening their eyes to music, design and cultural understanding,” Mr. Nedvigin emphasizes. 

A Century-Long Legacy with an International Future 

As Atlanta Ballet approaches its 100th season, Mr. Nedvigin remains focused on building global collaborations and nurturing diverse talent.  

“We are creating new works with choreographers we’ve partnered with for years, while also looking to collaborate with other companies and organizations for larger productions,” he says.  

These efforts underscore Atlanta Ballet’s role not only as a custodian of artistic legacy but also as a key driver of international cultural exchange in the region. 

“Ballet speaks all languages without saying a word,” Mr. Nedvigin reflects. “When audiences come together in the theater, they leave united. That is the strength of the arts — and Atlanta Ballet is proud to bring the world to our city.” 

Season Highlights: 

• The Nutcracker (Dec. 6–27, 2025) 
  A reimagined version of the holiday classic, set to Tchaikovsky’s iconic score performed live by the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra. 

• Giselle (Feb. 13–15, 2026) 
  This romantic ballet follows Giselle, a young peasant girl whose broken heart draws her into a ghostly world of vengeful spirits — the Wilis — and whose enduring love ultimately provides redemption. 

• Snow White (March 28–29, 2026) 
  A one-hour family ballet presented by Atlanta Ballet 2, this classic fairy tale features Snow White, the Evil Queen and, of course, the Dwarfs in a short, child-friendly story expressed through dance and set to classical music. 

• Golden Hour (April 3–5, 2026) 
  An evening of premieres, including Christopher Wheeldon’s Within the Golden Hour, Aria by Val Caniparoli and world premieres from Yuri Possokhov and Atlanta Ballet’s Choreographer-in-Residence Claudia Schreier. 

• Frida (May 8–10, 2026) 
  A full-length ballet choreographed by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa that portrays the life and art of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, using rich visuals inspired by her paintings and self-portraits.