Ballet Tucson proudly presents Desert Voices

PRESENTS

 

— — —   A DESERT SONG FESTIVAL COLLABORATION   — — —

 

Desert Voices

 

featuring

 

Chieko Imada’s Himiko

 

 

DATES February 27 – March 1, 2026

VENUE Temple of Music and Art

TICKETS Starting at $35

 

 

ABOUT THE PRODUCTION

Ballet Tucson proudly presents Desert Voices, a captivating evening of dance and live music headlined by Chieko Imada’s acclaimed ballet Himiko. This audience-favorite production blends classical ballet with traditional Japanese dance in a moving tribute to the human spirit, honor, and resilience.

Himiko tells the story of the legendary Shaman Queen Himiko (183–248 AD) of Yamataikoku, who rose to power during a turbulent era and unified her country after a decade of warfare. According to legend, she turned to mysticism and sorcery to guide the kingdoms under her rule, surrounding herself with court attendants and sharing governance with her younger brother. The ballet explores her extraordinary journey of leadership, devotion, and the weight of responsibility.

The production features live music by composer Yusuke Nakanishi, performed by the celebrated ensemble Duo Chinoiserie and soprano Erika Burkhart, with additional performances by flamenco guitarist Misael Barraza-Diaz.

 

 

FEATURED ARTISTS

Chieko Imada

Associate Artistic Director & Resident Choreographer

A native of Japan, Chieko Imada danced professionally as a Soloist with Inoue Ballet of Tokyo before coming to the United States, where she has been a member of Arizona Dance Theatre, Ballet Arizona, and a former Principal Dancer for Ballet Tucson. She has supported and developed the company for nearly 40 years and has created numerous classical and contemporary works including Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, and Giselle Act 2. Named Ballet Tucson’s Resident Choreographer in 2022, she creates a world premiere ballet each year in partnership with the Tucson Desert Song Festival. Past highlights include Viva Piazzolla, A Tribute to Leonard Bernstein, Ballet the Calla-way with Broadway legend Ann Hampton Callaway, and the original premiere of Himiko with Duo Chinoiserie in 2023. Ms. Imada has been nominated for the Buffalo Exchange Arts Award and the Governor’s Art Award, and received an Arts Hero Award from On Media for the 2019–2022 seasons.

 

Duo Chinoiserie

Guzheng & Classical Guitar Ensemble

Founded in 2016, Duo Chinoiserie features Chinese guzheng virtuoso Xia Jing and classical guitarist Hu Bin. Grammy-winning guitarist David Russell has praised their artistry, and their performances have been presented by organizations including the Omni Foundation for the Performing Arts, Arizona Arts Live, Arizona Friends of Chamber Music, Cleveland Classical Guitar Society, and Austin Classical Guitar. Recent highlights include the world premiere of a double concerto at Carnegie Hall and their ongoing collaboration with Ballet Tucson on Himiko. Their debut album, released by Navona Records, has received worldwide critical acclaim.

 

Erika Burkhart

Soprano

An in-demand soloist and regular ensemble member with the Grammy-nominated True Concord Voices & Orchestra, Erika Burkhart brings a rich palette of vocal colors to the stage. She is a previous winner of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions Arizona District and has performed with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, Arizona Opera, and Film Fest Tucson. Erika holds Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from the University of Arizona and proudly makes her home in Tucson.

 

Yusuke Nakanishi

Composer

A graduate of Soai University in Osaka, Yusuke Nakanishi studied under Professor Marco Tamayo at the Gustav Mahler Private University of Music in Austria. His compositions have been performed across Europe and North America, and his work Trois Impressions pour Guitare won first prize at the 2022 Brussels International Guitar Composition Competition. In 2022, Nakanishi was commissioned by Ballet Tucson and Duo Chinoiserie to compose the music for Himiko.

 

 

PARTNERSHIPS & SPONSORS

Himiko is presented in partnership with the Tucson Desert Song Festival and the Tucson Guitar Society.

Desert Voices is generously sponsored by Lloyd and Miwa Clucas.

 

GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY Visit ballettucson.org or contact tickets@ballettucson.org

 

Ballet Tucson is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.

All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

 

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TucsonStage home: www.TucsonStage.com

Recent announcements: http://tucsonstage.blogspot.com/

 

 

World Ballet Company presents Swan Lake @ the Fox

 

FOX TUCSON THEATRE

 

World Ballet Company presents

Swan Lake

The World's Most Iconic Ballet — Live on Stage

———  ✦  ———

Saturday, February 28, 2026  •  7:30 PM

Fox Tucson Theatre  |  17 W. Congress Street  |  Tucson, AZ

ABOUT THE PRODUCTION

The legendary tale of Swan Lake takes flight in a breathtaking production from World Ballet Company, as fate and magic entwine in a timeless battle between good and evil.

Featuring a cast of 50 international dancers, over 150 radiant hand-sewn costumes, and stunning hand-crafted sets, this spellbinding performance captures every heart-pounding moment — from the Dance of the Little Swans to the Black Swan's iconic 32 fouettés, and every pirouette in between.

With Tchaikovsky's unforgettable score soaring through the air, immerse yourself in this mesmerizing journey where dreams, heartbreak, and redemption unfold right before your eyes.

AT A GLANCE

 

Date	Saturday, February 28, 2026
Time	7:30 PM
Venue	Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 W. Congress Street, Tucson, AZ 85701
Duration	2 hours 30 minutes (including 20-minute intermission)
Audience	Recommended for ages 5 and over
Tickets	$62 – $137 (all-inclusive pricing)
Company	World Ballet Company — 50 international dancers from 10+ countries

 

ABOUT WORLD BALLET COMPANY

Based in Los Angeles and led by Sasha Gorskaya and Gulya Hartwick, World Ballet Company presents the most beloved and iconic ballets of our time in cities nationwide. Driven by the belief that ballet is for everyone, their performances appeal to newcomers and seasoned ballet patrons alike.

The company attracts many international artists, comprising renowned professional dancers representing over ten countries. To date, World Ballet Company has traveled to more than 300 cities, reaching an audience of more than 500,000.

TICKET INFORMATION

Purchase Online: foxtucson.com/event/swan-lake-2026/tickets

Company Website: worldballetcompany.com/tucson2

Box Office Phone: (520) 547-3040

Box Office Hours: Tuesday–Friday 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, and 2 hours prior to any ticketed event

Price Range: $62 – $137 (all-inclusive)

 

VENUE INFORMATION

Fox Tucson Theatre

17 W. Congress Street, Tucson, AZ 85701

Phone: (520) 547-3040  |  Web: foxtucson.com

 

Ballet Everywhere, Ballet For All.

———  ✦  ———

 

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TucsonStage home: www.TucsonStage.com

Recent announcements: http://tucsonstage.blogspot.com/

 

 

UA School of Theatre, Film & Television presents Almost, Maine

UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA

School of Theatre, Film & Television

 

presents

 

Almost, Maine

by John Cariani

———  ✦  ———

February 22 – March 8, 2026

Tornabene Theatre  |  University of Arizona  |  Tucson, AZ

ABOUT THE PRODUCTION

The University of Arizona School of Theatre, Film & Television is proud to present Almost, Maine, John Cariani's beloved romantic comedy, running February 22 through March 8, 2026 at the Tornabene Theatre.

Welcome to Almost, Maine — a place so far north it's almost not in the United States, almost in Canada. And it's not quite a town, because its residents never got around to getting organized. So it almost doesn't exist.

On one cold, clear winter night, as the northern lights hover in the star-filled sky above, the residents of Almost find themselves falling in and out of love in the most unexpected and hilarious ways. Through a series of warmly comic and tenderly surreal vignettes, hearts are broken, knees are bruised, and love arrives in the most surprising forms. But the bruises heal, and the hearts mend — almost — in this delightful midwinter night's dream.

Since its premiere at the Portland Stage Company in 2004, Almost, Maine has become one of the most frequently produced plays in the United States, captivating audiences of all ages with its whimsical magic realism, honest characters, and generous heart.

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

 

DATE	TIME	NOTES
Sunday, February 22	1:30 PM	Preview
Wednesday, February 25	7:30 PM	Preview
Thursday, February 26	7:30 PM
Friday, February 27	7:30 PM
Saturday, February 28	7:30 PM
Sunday, March 1	1:30 PM
Friday, March 6	7:30 PM
Saturday, March 7	1:30 PM
Saturday, March 7	7:30 PM
Sunday, March 8	1:30 PM

 

TICKET INFORMATION

Single tickets and season subscriptions are on sale now.

Purchase Online: tickets.arizona.edu

Box Office Phone: (520) 621-3341

Box Office Hours: Tue–Fri 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM  |  Sat 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Location: Arizona Arts Box Office, 1020 E. University Blvd., Centennial Hall, Tucson, AZ

Student Discount: College and high school students are eligible for discounted tickets to all performances. Visit azart.fyi/freetftvtix for details.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

School of Theatre, Film & Television

1025 N. Olive Rd., Drama Building, Room 239, Tucson, AZ 85721

Email: theatre@cfa.arizona.edu  |  Phone: (520) 621-7008

Web: tftv.arizona.edu/events/almost-maine

 

———  ✦  ———

 

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TucsonStage home: www.TucsonStage.com

Recent announcements: http://tucsonstage.blogspot.com/

 

 

ARIZONA THEATRE COMPANY hiring Properties Carpenter

ARIZONA THEATRE COMPANY

Arizona’s State Theatre  •  Tucson & Phoenix

 

JOB OPPORTUNITY

Properties Carpenter

Full-Time  •  Seasonal  •  Non-Exempt  •  Tucson Based

Salary: $16.00 – $17.00/Hour

Reports to Properties Supervisor

 

About Arizona Theatre Company

Arizona Theatre Company is the state’s only LORT theatre and the only LORT theatre in the country that produces in two cities. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Matt August and Executive Director Ana Rose O’Halloran, ATC produces five mainstage shows each season. Productions are built, rehearsed, and opened in Tucson at the Temple of Music and Art, then travel to the Tempe Center for the Arts in the Phoenix metropolitan area.

The Role

The Properties Carpenter works with the Properties Department to create and acquire all prop elements for ATC productions and outside build contracts. The position focuses primarily on furniture construction and restoration, with additional work on hand props, set dressing, and soft goods. Responsibilities include prop fabrication and repair, load-ins, strikes, and remounts across both Tucson and Phoenix venues, as well as maintaining department tools, equipment, and stock.

Key Qualifications

• Expertise in fine woodworking, cabinetry, and standard theatrical prop construction techniques
• Proficiency with table saws, band saws, chop saws, belt sanders, grinders, and hand tools
• Ability to build from construction drawings and photographs, and to craft from unconventional materials
• Must be able to obtain a valid driver’s license; willingness to learn to operate a 26’ box truck and forklift
• Must be able to lift 50+ lbs and work from heights (grids, catwalks, ladders, lifts)
• Available for nights, weekends, and short Phoenix residencies as production schedules require

Preferred Skills

Knowledge of period-appropriate furniture, hand props, and printed materials. Skills in painting, sculpting, gadgetry, sewing, and upholstery techniques. Strong communication, attention to detail, and time management.

Union Note: This position will be represented by IATSE Local #415 upon CBA ratification, which may result in changes to employment terms.

 

How to Apply

https://atc.org/careers/

Send a resume, cover letter, and a link to your portfolio with references to:

productionjobs@arizonatheatre.org

Arizona Theatre Company is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment on any basis, including race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or national origin.

 

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TucsonStage home: www.TucsonStage.com

Recent announcements: http://tucsonstage.blogspot.com/

 

 

Arizona Theatre Company hiring General Manager

https://atc.org/careers/

General Manager

Reports To: Executive Director

Status: Full-Time, Exempt

Application Deadline: Open Until Filled

Location: Tucson, Arizona

Compensation Range: $80,000-95,000

About Arizona Theatre Company:

Founded in 1966, Arizona Theatre Company (ATC) is Arizona’s only LORT (League of Resid ent Theatres) professional nonprofit regional theatre and the Official Arizona State Theatre. Nationally recognized for artistic excellence, ATC uniquely operates in both Phoenix/Tempe and Tucson.

ATC currently operates at LORT B. All shows originate in Tucson, built in ATC’s off-campus shops, and rehearsed and opened at the historic 635-seat proscenium Temple of Music and Art. In Phoenix/Tempe, ATC is the Home Company at the 550-seat Tempe Center for the Arts. ATC currently produces a five-show season, as well as other developmental programming.

ATC’s mission is to create world-class theatre that explores what it means to be alive today—sparking empathy, curiosity, and joy while bringing communities together. Through mainstage productions, education programs, and community engagement, ATC serves more than 200,000 individuals annually.

ATC currently operates with an annual budget of approximately $8 million, supported by a balance of earned (48%) and contributed (52%) revenue. The organization employs a full-time staff of 74, along with over 125 part-time and contract employees.

Position Summary:

The General Manager oversees ATC’s day-to-day operations, labor relations, facilities, and organizational systems, including key vendor relationships, that support the organization’s artistic and institutional goals. As a senior organizational leader, the General Manager serves as a key partner in translating artistic vision into operational excellence.

Reporting to Executive Director Ana Rose O’Halloran and working in close collaboration with Kasser Family Artistic Director Matt August,

who together serve as Co-CEOs, the General Manager ensures alignment and implementation across departments and provides strategic leadership for a complex, dual-city operation. The General Manager works collaboratively with department leaders across the organization to ensure effective communication, accountability, and execution.

Key responsibilities include:

·            Lead ATC’s daily operations in partnership with the Executive Director, Artistic Director, and department leadership, ensuring organizational alignment, effective communication, and

operational efficiency across departments.

·            Collaborate with the leadership team on season planning and production execution, providing operational oversight and support for production schedules, licensing, artist contracts, co-productions, and company management.

·            Ensure safe, compliant, and well-maintained venues,

overseeing capital projects, property leases, permits, insurance, safety protocols, and risk management initiatives.

·            Lead labor relations and union compliance, serving as the primary liaison with unions and LORT and ensuring effective administration of all collective bargaining agreements.

·            Supervise and foster collaboration, accountability, and professional growth for key operational staff, including the Company Manager, Facilities Team, and Director of Operations and Events, and oversee venue rentals and front-of-house ancillary revenue operations.

·            In partnership with the Executive Director and Artistic Director, contribute to long-term strategic planning, budgeting, and organizational priorities, supporting Co-CEO decision-making through operational leadership and implementation.

·            Represent ATC to internal stakeholders and to external partners including unions, civic agencies, and peer institutions.

Qualifications:

·            Significant experience in professional theatre or performing arts management, including progressively responsible senior operations roles (e.g., General Manager, Assistant General Manager, Director of Operations, Company Manager), with demonstrated responsibility for operations, labor relations, and organizational systems; experience in a LORT or unionized environment strongly preferred.

·              Demonstrated fluency in labor agreements, contracts, negotiations, and compliance, with the ability to effectively manage union relationships and administer collective bargaining agreements.

·              Proven ability to lead and support multiple teams and departments simultaneously within a complex, fast-paced organization.

·              Experience overseeing facilities operations and safety, with exposure to capital projects, long-range facilities planning, and risk management.

·              Proven experience managing and monitoring budgets, including operational and departmental resources, with responsibility for reporting, analysis, and ensuring financial accountability.

·              Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and shifting timelines.

·              A collaborative leadership style grounded in clear communication, accountability, and a commitment to supporting staff growth and well-being.

·              Strategic and systems-oriented thinking, with the ability to translate institutional goals into effective operational plans and execution.

·              Demonstrated integrity, sound judgment, and professionalism.

·              Alignment with ATC’s mission and values, and a commitment to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and equitable workplace.

This position requires occasional evening and weekend work in alignment with ATC’s production calendar.

Application Procedure:

Please send cover letter and resume to GMSearch@arizonatheatre.org

and reference “General Manager” in the subject line.

Arizona Theatre Company is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment on any basis, including race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or national origin.

 

 

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TucsonStage home: www.TucsonStage.com

Recent announcements: http://tucsonstage.blogspot.com/

 

 

THE ROGUE THEATRE presents The River by Jez Butterworth

THE ROGUE THEATRE

presents

 

 

The River

by Jez Butterworth

 

February 20 – March 15, 2026

The Rogue Theatre at The Historic Y

300 East University Boulevard, Tucson, AZ

 

The Rogue Theatre is proud to announce its next production of the 2025–26 season: The River, written by acclaimed British playwright Jez Butterworth (Jerusalem, The Ferryman). Performances run February 20 through March 15, 2026, with Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2:00 p.m.

About the Play

A piece of timeless and haunting chamber theatre, The River captures an intimate, enigmatic evening on a river—a fisherman, a woman, another woman—but are they really there? Memories or ghosts? Butterworth’s lyrical, hypnotic script explores longing, connection, and the stories we tell ourselves about the people we love. Audiences can expect an evening of deeply atmospheric, emotionally resonant storytelling in The Rogue’s signature intimate setting.

Creative Team

Director: Christopher Johnson, Associate Artistic Director and Resident Ensemble Member at The Rogue Theatre. Johnson has directed numerous acclaimed productions for The Rogue including Cloud 9, Romeo and Juliet, The Weir, and The Seafarer—and previously directed a staged reading of The River for The Rogue’s play-reading series. He is the recipient of eight Arizona Daily Star Mac Award nominations for Best Director.

Music Direction: Russell Ronnebaum, The Rogue’s Resident Composer and Director of Music since 2019, with live guitar, harmonica, and vocals performed by John Keeney.

Cast

The Man — Ryan Parker Knox*

The Woman — Sophie Gibson-Rush*

The Other Woman — Bryn Booth*

Another Woman — Chelsey Jean Smith

*Member of The Rogue Resident Acting Ensemble

Performance Schedule

Preview: Friday, February 20 at 7:30 p.m. (Discount Preview)

Opening Night: Saturday, February 21 at 7:30 p.m.

Regular Performances: Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. through March 15, 2026.

Free Open Talk

Director Christopher Johnson presents Old Flames, Still Waters: Jez Butterworth & The River on Saturday, February 14, 2026, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. The presentation will deepen audiences’ understanding of the play, with members of the cast offering a sneak peek of the production.

Tickets & Information

Tickets are available online at theroguetheatre.org or by calling 520-551-2053. Free off-street parking is available at the venue.

 

Production Sponsors: Andy Watson; Karen DeLay & Bill Sandel

The Rogue Theatre is supported by the Arizona Commission on the Arts with funding from the State of Arizona and the National Endowment for the Arts, the Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona, the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona, and the Shubert Foundation.

 

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TucsonStage home: www.TucsonStage.com

Recent announcements: http://tucsonstage.blogspot.com/