‘Evenings’ at the Ballet

By Richard Mineards and Friends | February 17, 2026

Performers, musicians, and audience gathered for an intimate time with State Street Ballet (photo by Priscilla)

Evenings offered an inside look at State Street Ballet’s creative process, staged inside the company’s studio at the Gail Towbes Center for Dance. The in-studio setting created an intimate tone with audience members sitting right next to dancers, and wine and hors d’oeuvres getting the evening off to a pirouetting start.

The program featured nine world premieres choreographed by company dancers, each reflecting a distinct voice and approach. Some works leaned toward narrative structure, while others explored mood and musicality, but all benefited from the clarity of the space. Without elaborate production elements, the choreography stood on its own. Executive Director Cecily MacDougall described the intent behind the program, saying, “By giving dancers the freedom to create within the studio and collaborate closely with their peers, Evenings plays a crucial role in developing the next generation of choreographers while offering audiences a rare window into the creative process.”

“With the Wind,” choreographed by Amber Hirschfield, got the show moving and from a “Love Song” to a touch of Morricone, the performers danced their way through emotions and meaning. A “Cell Block Tango” finale and Q&A with the artists brought Evenings to an end – and left the audience yearning for more.