Deos Ballet, one of West Michigan’s most exciting performance arts organizations, launches its new season at the end of this month.
The 2026/2027 season features six shows ranging from classic ballet to pure madcap humor, from ancient Greece to modern science, and from vengeance beyond the grave to the pleasures and perils of lying on the beach with a book.
The season begins with COLLIDE Series 26 (July 31-Aug 1). Artistic Director Tess Sinke describes COLLIDE as “our flagship show.” In addition to Deos’s year-round dancers, guest artists from companies across the countries will participate, as well as ten collegiate/young professional dancers. The evening will consist of two pieces: Sinke’s “People We Meet on the Train,” an exploration of individual humanity set against the Holocaust, and Christine Settembrino’s “The Greek Myths,” which retells the stories of Orpheus and Eurydice, Athena and Arachne, and others.
Giselle follows November 13-15. First performed in 1841, Giselle has been described as “the ultimate Romantic ballet.” The beautifully scored ballet tells the story of a young woman badly treated by a man, and about her heartbreak and fury, which transcend death itself. “Who doesn’t love an Act II filled with vengeful women ghosts who spend their free time killing men?” Sinke asked. Deos’s version changes the setting to an early 1800s factory and adds contemporary choreography, making this a never before seen version of the enduring classic.
In December—exact date to be determined—Cracked Nuts returns. This adults-only version of The Nutcracker features an office holiday party set in disarray by the arrival of a directionally challenged stripper named Sugar. Bad news: they get snowed in. Good news: there’s alcohol. Or is that bad news, too? “[This show’s] truly fun all around,” Sinke said. Each year, it changes, as Sinke incorporates ideas from the dancers. “We’ve got a great group of actors and they have good natural instincts. Letting each person have freedom to try different comedic ideas during rehearsals has paid off.” The result is nothing short of a blast.
In March, Deos inaugurates Dream Big, a series of programming aimed at elementary-aged school children. It begins with Dream Big: The Story of Ada Lovelace, an original ballet focused on the English mathematician and author. The overall series will focus on important women throughout history. The ballet’s about 45 minutes in length; afterward, a short STEAM presentation will take place. Finally, the ballet’s described as “interactive.” Asked what this means, Sinke said, “The interactive portion is a secret…you’ll just have to buy a ticket to find out.”
One of Deos’s most exciting productions in recent memory was Trojan Women, a one-act ballet included as part of Ember 26. In March, it will be presented as a full-length production of its own, focusing more on individual characters. The story of the fall of Troy as seen by the women of the city, it’s a raw, even shocking exploration of what war does to women and girls. Sinke adds that “we have additional collaborations in the works for this piece that I’m not able to share yet,” but that she’s very excited about.
May’s A Night at the Barre will be the social event of the season. Per the website, “dinner, drinks, dancing and original ballet works come together for an immersive evening unlike any other.” It’ll be a party, in other words: a celebration of the art, and more proof (if any were needed) of Deos’s commitment to accessibility and community.
Finally, Beach Balls debuts in the summer of 2027. Picture “over-the-top characters, vintage bathing suits, too much suntan lotion, and one woman who just wants to sit on the beach and read her book.” Comedic and warm, it’s the perfect show for your friend who says she doesn’t get ballet.
“At Deos, we like to say we are a company of storytellers,” Sinke said. “I think we’ve established ourselves in that area over the last five years.” It’s true; shows like Jane Eyre, The Tempest, and others have demonstrated the company’s ability to tell stories through movement. And the community’s responded. “We have plenty of audience members who had never sen a ballet before take a chance on [us] because it looked like a fun night out. Many of these people are now season regulars; they come to every show.”
Want in? More information, as well as season tickets, can be found on www.deosballet.com.
