Audience Events

Learn more about PNB and connect with other ballet fans!

Ballet Talk

Perfect for folks wanting to learn more about ballet and its history, “Ballet Talks” are entertaining halfhour lectures about PNB’s current show given by dance experts. Join us an hour before your performance* downstairs in the Nesholm Family Lecture Hall! 

*No Ballet Talk for George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker

Nesholm Family Lecture Hall | Free for Ticket Holders

Meet the Artist

Connect with PNB Company artists in these inspiring Q&A sessions directly following your performance*. “Meet the Artist” is an opportunity to discuss how the ballet you just watched impacted you and to learn the performers’ unique insights.

*No Meet the Artist for The Sleeping Beauty or George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker

Nesholm Family Lecture Hall | Free for Ticket Holders

Conversations & Dress Rehearsal

Enjoy an in-depth discussion between PNB artists, from choreographers to costume designers, before attending a dress rehearsal performance with PNB Company dancers and the PNB Orchestra. You’ll get behind-the-scenes perspectives and a sneak peek at the show.

McCaw Hall | $25 suggested donation

Audio Dance Described Performances

This season, Pacific Northwest Ballet offers Audio Dance Description at select performances of All Balanchine, George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker, The Sleeping Beauty, and Roméo et Juliette!

McCaw Hall | $20

Conversations and Dress Rehearsal Schedule

Rep I – PNB Artistic Director Peter Boal interviews Jessica Lang

Thursday, September 19, 2024 at 5:30pm

Celebrated choreographer Jessica Lang’s residency begins in earnest with PNB’s The Times Are Racing program. Gain insights into Lang’s relationship with PNB, her new work inspired by the Japanese art form Kintsugi, and more in this conversation with PNB’s Artistic Director Peter Boal.

Rep II – PNB Artistic Director Peter Boal interviews the Prodigals of Prodigal Son

Thursday, October 31, 2024 at 5:30pm

Danced by the likes of Jerome Robbins, Mikhail Baryshnikov, and PNB’s very own Artistic Director Peter Boal, the titular role of Prodigal Son pushes dancers physically and emotionally. Attend this dress rehearsal conversation to learn more about the dancers performing The Prodigal Son role in PNB’s All Balanchine program and what it means to them.

Rep III – PNB Artistic Director Peter Boal interviews Paul Tazewell

Thursday, January 30, 2025 at 5:30pm

Paul Tazewell’s Academy Award®-nominated work in West Side Story and his costumes in the Tony Award®-winning Broadway production of Hamilton make him an internationally respected designer. He’s well-known by Seattle audiences too, thanks to his designs for Kent Stowell’s Swan Lake, and now, The Sleeping Beauty. On the eve of The Sleeping Beauty’s premiere, join us for a fascinating discussion about Tazewell’s inspirations for the new production and insights into his creative process.

Rep IV – Seattle arts journalist Marcie Sillman hosts a conversation with PNB Company Dancer Price Suddarth

Thursday, March 13, 2025 at 5:30pm

The Emergence program features the world premiere of PNB Company dancer (and choreographer) Price Suddarth’s new work. Join us for this conversation with Price and his team of artistic collaborators as they discuss the many creative elements that make a world-premiere ballet.

Rep V – Converge Media host Trae Holiday interviews PNB Company dancers

Thursday, April 10, 2025 at 5:30pm

Jean-Christophe Maillot’s contemporary version of Roméo et Juliette requires dancers tap into unique skills of storytelling. Converge Media host Trae Holiday will moderate a conversation with PNB dancers taking on these iconic roles for the first time.

Rep VI – PNB Associate Artistic Director Kiyon Ross interviews Rena Butler

Thursday, May 29, 2025 at 5:30pm

Delve deep into the creative process with this discussion between two of the innovative choreographers on PNB’s Director’s Choice program. PNB’s Associate Artistic Director Kiyon Ross leads the conversation with Princess Grace Award-recipient Rena Butler to discuss her new work, her choreographic process, and more.

Audio Dance Described Performance Schedule

All Balanchine

November 2, 2024
Matinee Performance at 2:00 PM followed by a screening of Telephone in the Nesholm Family Lecture Hall.

November 13, 2024
4:00-6:00 PM
Digital Screening and Q&A of Telephone with Krishna Washburn and Heather Shaw

George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker

December 1, 2024
Matinee Performance at 12:30 PM

December 7, 2024
Evening Performance at 7:30 PM

December 19, 2024
Matinee Performance at 2:00 PM (Sensory Friendly)

The Sleeping Beauty

February 2, 2025
Matinee Performance at 1:00 PM

Roméo et Juliette

April 12, 2025
Matinee Performance at 2:00 PM