International at its core, the law firm of Wasserman West LLC is the presenting sponsor of Global Atlanta's Latin America Channel. Sign up here for monthly newsletters on Latin American trade and investment connections to Georgia.
The Latin American Chamber of Commerce of Georgia is the sponsor of Global Atlanta's Mexico Channel. Sign up here for monthly Mexico updates.
Editor’s Note: Atlanta Ballet is the sponsor of Global Atlanta’s Culture Channel. This article is made possible through that partnership.
As Atlanta continues to position itself as a gateway between the United States and Latin America, a new production by Atlanta Ballet highlights how cultural exchange is playing an increasingly visible role alongside the region’s business and diplomatic ties.
From May 8-10, 2026, the company will present the East Coast premiere of Frida, a full-length ballet exploring the life and legacy of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, one of Latin America’s most influential artistic figures. The production brings a globally recognized story to a city whose international connections span trade, investment and a rapidly growing multicultural population.
Translating Frida Kahlo’s Story to the Stage
Choreographed by Belgian-Colombian artist Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Frida continues her series of narrative ballets focused on iconic women whose lives transcended borders. Bringing Ms. Kahlo’s story to the stage, Ms. Lopez Ochoa focused on expressing both the artist’s personal experiences and the cultural identity that shaped her work.
“Frida always said she wasn’t a surrealist because she painted her life and not her dreams,” Ms. Lopez Ochoa said. “I think that the iconography that she used to express her emotions on canvas does veer towards surrealism and therefore this visual poetry lends itself perfectly for ballet.”
Ms. Kahlo’s paintings, which are deeply rooted in Mexican heritage and symbolism, provided a foundation for movement that reflects both place and identity, she added.
“In the choreography, I tried to capture her ancestry through grounded movement, skirt movement derivative of Mexican folkloric dances and strong sculptural poses inspired by pre-Columbian art,” Ms. Lopez Ochoa explained.
A Cross-Cultural Collaboration on an Atlanta Stage
The production of Frida reflects a broader trend in Atlanta’s cultural ecosystem – international collaboration. Featuring music by British composer Peter Salem, performed live by the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra, and designs by Dutch artist Dieuweke van Reij, Frida brings together creative influences from across Europe and Latin America, interpreted by an American company on an Atlanta stage.
Such cross-border artistic partnerships mirror the dynamics of Atlanta’s economy, where global companies and international talent continue to shape the region’s growth. Cultural institutions like Atlanta Ballet play a parallel role, using the arts to deepen global understanding and broaden the city’s international appeal.
Identity, Culture and Atlanta’s Global Ties
For Ms. Lopez Ochoa, whose own identity spans multiple cultures, that exchange is personal as well as professional.
“I’m always proud to share facets of my Latin roots through the ballets I make,” she said. “However, as an artist I prefer to be seen as a chameleon than an advocate of a single identity.”
Her perspective reflects the layered identities increasingly common in global cities like Atlanta, where international residents and business leaders contribute to a more interconnected cultural landscape.
“I’m mixed-raced, much like Frida herself,” Ms. Lopez Ochoa added. “I carry different cultures in me, which can be confusing at times, but in many ways, it is deeply enriching.”
By bringing Ms. Kahlo’s story to Atlanta audiences, Frida underscores how cultural storytelling can complement economic and diplomatic ties, offering a deeper understanding of the histories and identities behind global partnerships — particularly with Latin America, a region of growing importance to Georgia’s trade and investment strategy.
The production follows Atlanta Ballet’s 2024 presentation of Ms. Lopez Ochoa’s Coco Chanel: The Life of a Fashion Icon, reinforcing the company’s commitment to internationally inspired storytelling and globally recognized choreography.
As Atlanta continues to build its reputation as both an international business and cultural hub, productions like Frida highlight the role of the arts in strengthening the city’s global connections — not only through commerce, but through shared stories and creative exchange.
- Tickets and additional information are available at atlantaballet.com.
Atlanta Ballet is the presenting sponsor of Global Atlanta's Culture Channel. Subscribe here for monthly Culture newsletters.