Giselle with the PBT Orchestra

Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre opens its 2026-27 season with Giselle, running at the Benedum Center from Friday, October 23, through Sunday, October 25. It's a Romantic-era classic that premiered in Paris in 1841, and it's still one of the oldest and most demanding works in the repertoire. The story follows love, betrayal, and forgiveness, and it's as much a test of a ballerina's range as her technique: she has to carry the role from an innocent protagonist to a heartbroken spirit.

This production is a new staging by Artistic Director Adam W. McKinney, based on the original choreography of Jean Coralli and Jules Perrot with later revisions by Marius Petipa. The score by Adolphe Adam will be performed live by the PBT Orchestra, so you'll have a full orchestra in the room rather than a recording. The title role goes to Principal Artist Hannah Carter, with Colin McCaslin dancing alongside her.

Beyond the main performances, the company is running a program of free, no-registration-required activities around the shows. That includes a rehearsal preview, artist Q&As, a 'Curtain Up!' talkback, and audio description for the Sunday matinee, so there are a few ways to get a closer look at how the production comes together.

There are four performances in total: Friday, October 23, at 7:30 PM; Saturday, October 24, at 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM; and Sunday, October 25, at 2:00 PM. Single tickets start at $33.50, which includes all fees.