Curtains Up on Season 16!
Get ready to be swept off your feet—American Midwest Ballet is back for its 16th sensational season of world-class dance! Whether you're a longtime ballet fan or new to the magic of movement, now’s your chance to experience the artistry, athleticism, and elegance AMB brings to the stage. Based at the Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center in Council Bluffs’ historic Haymarket District, AMB thrives in a space designed for creativity and community. The Hoff Center—home to Pottawattamie Arts, Culture & Entertainment (PACE)—offers 95,000 square feet of creative space, including classrooms, artist studios, a teaching kitchen, and a 280-seat theater. It’s the perfect place to learn, perform, and be inspired.
The season opener, Momentum, is a “mixed repertory” program, Overturff said – a collection of separate, varied works chosen to showcase the expressive range of ballet. Season subscriptions and single tickets are on sale now, and you won’t want to miss a moment. Under the visionary direction of Artistic Director and CEO Erika Overturff, the 24-member professional company will kick off the season right here in Council Bluffs with unforgettable performances on October 18 and 19 at the Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center. Overturff shared previews of the program:
- Sing, Sing, Sing – The showstopper of Bob Fosse’s award-winning 1978 Broadway musical Dancin’, this work evokes a 1930s nightclub where patrons step out to sizzling swing music. Epitomizing the choreographer’s distinctive style, Sing, Sing, Sing has come to be regarded as a crown jewel of Fosse choreography. Staging it for AMB will be musical-theater star Dylis Croman, a protégé of Fosse muse Ann Reinking and a cast member in the 2023 Broadway revival of Dancin’.
- Ruth, Ricordi per Due – The final ballet created by Joffrey Ballet co-founder Gerald Arpino, this 2004 work for two dancers is a stirring elegy. From the Chicago Tribune: “Simple and pure, it’s a poem of profound love and grief.”
- Appalachian Song – Overturff’s 2017 work explores the heritage of the Appalachian region as told through the music of its people. The ballet weaves together life’s struggles and celebrations through stories of love, humor, heartache, and perseverance.
Building on last season’s record-setting attendance, the beloved holiday classic The Nutcracker returns to delight audiences once again. Performances will take place at the Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center on November 22 and 23, and at Omaha’s Orpheum Theater from December 4–7. Due to high demand, a special Thursday evening performance has been added to the Orpheum lineup this year.
Overturff credits The Nutcracker’s lasting appeal to its “charming story, vivid characters, spectacular sets and costumes, and brilliant classical dancing in the grand 19th-century style.” And for families needing a more inclusive experience, the November 23 show at the Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center will be a sensory-friendly performance presented in partnership with Autism Action Partnership, making the magic of the ballet more accessible to all.
Closing out the season is a whimsical, romantic adventure as feuding fairies and mismatched lovers take the stage in Oskar Antunez’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Inspired by Shakespeare’s most beloved comedy, this magical ballet will be performed at the Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center on April 11 and 12 and at the Orpheum Theater on April 18 and 19. “Shakespeare’s story works beautifully as a ballet,” said Overturff. “The atmosphere is so charming that it’s easy to believe there’s magic in the air! I love how Oskar captures the humor in his choreography, which blends seamlessly with Felix Mendelssohn’s enchanting score.” With its mix of enchantment, elegance, and lighthearted fun, this season finale promises to leave audiences smiling long after the final bow.
A Midsummer Night's Dream Tickets
Sign up for Season 16 Flex Plan which allows you to create your own subscription by customizing the type and number of tickets you purchase to each show. Take care of your whole season in advance, with subscriptions starting at just $85*! More information on the Flex Plan here.
American Midwest Ballet is the region's resident professional dance company, bringing work beyond words to audiences in Nebraska, Iowa, and beyond. Performing at home and on tour, its mission is to provide cultural enrichment through dance programs of the highest quality: breathtaking performances, inspiring education, and uplifting community engagement. AMB’s Season 16 is presented with the generous support of the Holland Foundation, the Iowa West Foundation, and Douglas County, and major supporters the Nebraska Arts Council, the Nebraska Cultural Endowment, and the Sherwood Foundation.
