OKLAHOMA CITY – The beloved ballet classics are immortal, but what about some brand new, freshly creative dances that prove what ballet can bring to the modern era?
Well, you can get a glimpse of that right now as OKC Ballet presents “SHORTS,” an all-new production featuring three short dances performed one right after the other for a night full of movement and storytelling.
Touted as a “Night of Premieres” for the ballet company, “SHORTS” features three brand-new dances never-before seen or danced in OKC, running this weekend only, May 8th-10th, 2026 at the Civic Center Music Hall.
‘Tone it Bach’
The performance opens with “Tone it Bach”, an Oklahoma premiere choreographed and directed by OKC Ballet Artistic Director Ryan Jolicoeur-Nye.
This piece is short and sweet, only ten minutes, and features a large cast in all white body suits. The movement is striking and powerful as the performers open the dance without music. They fill that silence with intentional moves, and soon the music picks up, bringing the dance to a crescendo of emotion.
No stranger to emotional pieces, Jolicoeur-Nye expertly uses his artists, ensuring the dance they present creates the most impact, and this one is just long enough to keep the audience wanting more.
‘The River’
The second premiere of the night is “The River” by Natasha Adorlee, a dance telling a story of growth and creation throughout one person’s life, with corps de ballet dancer Oslaniel Castillo taking the audience on a journey of self-discovery in a nostalgic, romantic, and dreamy coming-of-age tale.
The costumes, music and story tell the tale of a young man who grows up to become a famous musician. The music of his life influences him along the way. He relies on his memories and roots to shape the artist he becomes.
This dance is beautiful, and it’s further enhanced by the on-stage singing of R&B artist (and frequent collaborator of choreographer Natasha Adorlee) Jac Ross.
It’s a dance that tells a singular story but that is also universal in its message that music guides us throughout our lives.
‘Radio & Juliet’
Closing out the evening is Edward Clug’s “Radio & Juliet,” a condensed version of “Romeo & Juliet” accompanied by music from alt-rock band Radiohead.
This modern dance retelling of Shakespeare’s famous tragedy actually first debuted in 2005 at the Slovenian National Ballet Company, and it’s making its Oklahoma debut in “SHORTS.”
Set during a futuristic, dystopian world, the setting is mechanical and cold, with large gray walls lining the stage. Set to the background of Radiohead, this dance is trippy and tragic, at times jarring, and vividly thought-provoking as it asks the age-old question: what would happen if Juliet never died?
Principal dancer Courtney Connor Jones is a powerhouse as Juliet, and she dares the audience to take their eyes off her. Callum Findlay-White is haunting as her Romeo. The cast is complete with strong performances by Marco Corcella as Tybalt, Alejandro González as Mercutio, and Eichi Fujita, John Aguirre, and Randolph Fernandez in the ensemble.
“Radio & Juliet” features an alternating cast in the role of Juliet, with corps de ballet dancer Kara Troester Blythe stepping beautifully into the role during performances on May 8th and 10th.
Fans of the ballet – and especially of this company – should make sure to attend, as Troester Blythe is appearing in her final performances as a professional dancer, and she’s set to retire this weekend after ten years with the company.
Annual must-see for dance-lovers
“Shorts” is a highlight of the ballet season, and might even be the best kept secret in Oklahoma City arts. Running during Thunder playoffs and Mother’s Day, it can easily get missed for more publicized events.
However, it remains a must-see event and is a delight to witness, giving audiences the chance to see some new works alongside classics and audience favorites. “SHORTS” is a welcome addition to the robust lineup of performing arts in Oklahoma City.
OKC Ballet’s annual production of “SHORTS” runs May 8th-10th, 2026 at the Civic Center Music Hall. Tickets are still available at okcballet.org.
After the quick run of Shorts, the OKC Ballet Studio Company presents a free event for families. On May 23rd, 2026 at 7 PM, the Spring Showcase is presented at the Mustang Performing Arts Center. This event is free and open to the public. Visit mustangfinearts.org for information on that event.
Adrienne Proctor is a theater and arts writer in Oklahoma City. She's been contributing to the arts reporting space since 2017.
