American Ballet Theatre (ABT) has been named a resident company of Segerstrom Center for the Arts, marking a significant new chapter in a partnership that has spanned nearly four decades. This new five-year agreement, extending through 2030, establishes an annual spring engagement at the Center, aiming to strengthen ABT's longstanding relationship with Southern California audiences.
The residency officially began with performances of *Sylvia* in April 2026. Future annual spring engagements will feature major productions, including *The Sleeping Beauty* in 2027, *Don Quixote* in 2028, and *Whipped Cream* in 2029. The five-year commitment will culminate in 2030 with a new co-production developed by ABT and Segerstrom Center. These spring performances will complement the Company's established annual holiday presentations of Alexei Ratmansky's *The Nutcracker*, which is noted as a beloved Southern California tradition.
Casey Reitz, president of Segerstrom Center for the Arts, stated that ABT's addition as a resident company "gives that relationship a new, lasting home." He added that audiences can anticipate ABT's return each year for a "remarkable range of ballet," encompassing both beloved classics and the forthcoming new co-production. Barry Hughson, Executive Director of ABT, described Segerstrom Center as an "extraordinary partner" and expressed the company's excitement to "deepen that relationship" through the new residency. Hughson noted that a strong partnership on the West Coast enables ABT to share the artistry of its dancers, introduce a broad repertoire to audiences, and continue to create new productions.
The collaborative history between ABT and Segerstrom Center dates back to ABT's initial engagement in 1987. Over this nearly four-decade period, the organizations have presented numerous world and West Coast premieres, significant repertory works, and celebrated productions to Southern California audiences. Past collaborations have included Ratmansky's *The Nutcracker*, *Whipped Cream*, and *Of Love and Rage*, alongside the North American premieres of Christopher Wheeldon's *Like Water for Chocolate* and Wayne McGregor's *Woolf Works*. The new residency builds upon this artistic foundation and aims to create additional opportunities for future productions.
This December, ABT's *The Nutcracker* is set to return for its 11th season at Segerstrom Hall. These performances will feature the Company's internationally acclaimed dancers under the artistic direction of Susan Jaffe, with Tchaikovsky's score performed live by Pacific Symphony. The 2026 engagement of *The Nutcracker* will offer an extended season of 17 performances, running from December 10 through December 24. This particular 2026 engagement of *The Nutcracker* will also mark the final Segerstrom Center performances for two of ABT's Principal Dancers, Herman Cornejo and James Whiteside. Cornejo, who has been an ABT Principal Dancer since 2003, and Whiteside, a Principal Dancer since 2013, are scheduled to give their final performances with the Company during its 2027 Summer Season at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City.
