Unity Phelan and Alec Knight, Lincoln Center. Photo: Erin Baiano
Ticket sales for this program will open to the public at 12 PM on April 13. For the benefit of early access to tickets on April 9, click HERE to become a Member!
Experience the artistry, athleticism, and behind-the-scenes magic of New York City Ballet in On & Off Stage, an intimate program offering a rare glimpse into the company’s world-class productions.
Hosted by Unity Phelan and Alec Knight, this engaging event features NYCB dancers in performance and conversation, bringing audiences closer to the creative process—from the rehearsal studio to the stage. Enjoy excerpts from the company’s celebrated repertoire, gain insights from the artists, and deepen your understanding of the technique and storytelling that define one of the world’s premier ballet companies.
Program to be announced.
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NEW YORK CITY BALLET
New York City Ballet is one of the foremost dance companies in the world, with an unparalleled active repertory of more than 150 works—most of them created for NYCB—many of which are considered modern masterpieces. The Company was established in 1948 by choreographer George Balanchine and arts aficionado Lincoln Kirstein at the City Center of Music and Drama, and quickly became known for pure neo-classicism, which resonated with modern audiences. In 1949, Jerome Robbins joined the Company as Associate Artistic Director and, with Balanchine and many guest choreographers, created a varied repertory that grew each season. In 1964 NYCB moved to its current home at Lincoln Center’s David H. Koch Theater (formerly the New York State Theater), where it grew into one of the world’s great dance companies. Balanchine choreographed countless works and created a company of dancers known for their speed and musicality, serving as Ballet Master of NYCB from its inception until his death, in 1983. Following Balanchine’s death, Jerome Robbins and Peter Martins were named Co-Ballet Masters in Chief, and from 1990 until he retired in 2017, Mr. Martins assumed sole responsibility for the Company’s artistic direction. In 2009 Katherine Brown was named NYCB’s first-ever Executive Director, and in February of 2019, Jonathan Stafford was named Artistic Director of New York City Ballet and the School of American Ballet, and Wendy Whelan was named Associate Artistic Director of New York City Ballet.
Photo: Paul Kolnik
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UNITY PHELAN
UNITY PHELAN was born in Princeton, New Jersey and began her dance training at the age of five at the Princeton Ballet School, where her teachers included Douglas Martin, Maria Youskevitch, and Mary Barton. During the summers of 2008 and 2009, Ms. Phelan attended the summer sessions at the School of American Ballet (SAB), the official school of New York City Ballet, and enrolled as a full-time student in fall of 2009. She became an apprentice with NYCB in December 2012 and joined the Company as a member of the corps de ballet in November 2013. In February 2017, Ms. Phelan was promoted to the rank of soloist, and in October 2021, she was promoted to principal dancer.
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ALEC KNIGHT
ALEC KNIGHT was born in Queensland, Australia. He began his dance training in jazz and tap dance at Davidia Lind Dance Centre in 2007 and trained at The Australian Ballet School from 2010 to 2013. Mr. Knight attended the summer course at the School of American Ballet (SAB), the official school of New York City Ballet, in 2013, and enrolled as a full-time student the following winter term. In August 2015, Mr. Knight became an apprentice with NYCB. While still an apprentice, he originated a featured role in Nicolas Blanc’s Mothership. He joined the Company as a member of the corps de ballet in May 2016. Mr. Knight was promoted to the rank of soloist in June 2024.
Sponsors
This program is supported in part by public funding provided by Suffolk County.
Performing Arts programs are supported by 2026 season sponsors Galia Meiri-Stawski and Axel Stawski, with additional lead support from Henry and Peggy Schleiff, The Melville Straus Family Endowment, Monica and Peter Tessler, and Vital Projects Fund.
Guild Hall’s Performing Arts programs are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
Dance programming is supported by Principal Sponsor SHS Foundation, with additional support provided by Bonita and Kevin Stewart.
Additional support provided by Friends of the Theater: Natascia Ayers and Jim Ciquera, Bonnie and Joel Bergstein, Gene Bernstein and Kathy Walsh, Amy Cooney and Marty Feinman, John and Joan D’Addario, Suzanne and John Golden, Hilarie and Mitchell Morgan, Steve and Susan Pesner and Peace, in memory of Michéle Pesner, whose entire life was devoted to all aspects of culture, The Schaffner Family Foundation, Lisa Schultz and Ezriel Kornel, Stacey and Oliver Stanton, and Susi and Peter Wunsch.
