NIGHT OF COMMUNITY

Night of Community for the 2025/26 Season is sponsored by the Austin Community Foundation and the Reaud Charitable Foundation. Night of Community is endowed in part by Sarah & Ernest Butler through the Ballet Austin Foundation.

Ballet Austin’s Night of Community, created in 1997, is a program designed to welcome clients of Central Texas non-profit social service organizations with 501(c)(3) status, by sharing the final dress rehearsal for each of our five annual productions at The Long Center with our community. Over the years, it has been our honor, and an important part of our mission, to offer over 170,000 tickets. Ballet Austin offers financially-challenged individuals, individuals with disabilities, or otherwise under-resourced community members an opportunity to attend a live ballet performance at no cost.

Through the support of our underwriters and sponsors, Ballet Austin hopes to build positive, magical, and lasting memories for your clients, as part of our commitment to share the joy of live ballet performances with our community.

Ballet Austin’s Night of Community Schedule for the 2025/26 Season will include:

  • GRIMM TALES – Thursday, September 25, 2025 at 7:30pm – Not all fairy tales are meant for children. Stephen Mills’ Grimm Tales reveals the cautionary truths lurking beneath the surface of 19th-century fairy tales.
  • The 63rd Annual Production of THE NUTCRACKER – Thursday December 4 at 7:30pm – From the twinkling lights, whirling snowflakes, and sparkling beauty of the exquisite sets and costumes comes the heart-warming story of young Clara and her nutcracker.
  • IN MOTION / An Evening with Stephen Mills – Thursday, February 12 at 7:30pm – Stephen Mills shares three deeply personal works in an evening of dance that explores transformation, resilience, and celebration through a retrospective lens.
  • MARIE ANTOINETTE: VAMPIRE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES – Thursday, March 26 at 7:30pm – Stephen Mills transforms the infamous queen into a creature of the night, wielding power through allure, ambition, and an insatiable thirst.
  • THE MAGIC FLUTE – Thursday, May 7 at 7:30pm – Embark on a whimsical adventure with Ballet Austin’s delightful adaptation of Mozart’s opera The Magic Flute. The Magic Flute is a heartwarming and unforgettable journey into the world of fantasy and romance fit for all ages.

If your organization serves clients who would benefit from attending Night of Community, please complete the short intake application form (link below) to register your organization.

Organizations who qualify after completing the form will receive ticket request invitations to attend Ballet Austin Night of Community dress rehearsals at the Long Center for the Performing Arts. Complete the short form to get started!

Non-profit social service organizations apply here to participate in Ballet Austin’s Night of Community

Night of Community FAQs

Who Attends Ballet Austin’s Night of Community?

Since 1997, Ballet Austin has invited over 160,000 clients of area non-profit social service organizations to Night of Community, the final dress rehearsal for each production.

The goal of this program is to offer financially-challenged individuals, individuals with disabilities, or otherwise under-resourced community members an opportunity to attend a live ballet performance for free.

We serve non-profit social service organizations with 501(c)(3) status.

How Can My Organization Apply for Tickets to Night of Community?

If your organization is a social-service 501(c)(3) non-profit serving those who are financially-challenged, individuals with disabilities, or otherwise under-resourced community members in the Central Texas area, your group may be eligible for complimentary tickets.

If your non-profit serves clients who would benefit from attending Night of Community please complete the short application form to register your organization to receive invitations to upcoming Night of Community dress rehearsals.

Complete the application form here or email Ally Kelley (ally.kelley@balletaustin.org) for more information.

Can I volunteer to help with Night of Community?

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Ballet Austin.

We strive to create a culture of care in everything we do, focusing on creating a warm and welcoming environment for our audience at performances and events. Volunteers are an essential resource, joining Ballet Austin team members in a variety of positions. That’s where you come in!

We need volunteers at Night of Community performances as well as our regular performances. Find out more about Ballet Austin’s Volunteer Corps

Non-profit social service organizations apply here to participate in Ballet Austin’s Night of Community

The Impact on Surrounding Communities

“Most of the families staying in our homeless shelter are struggling to get their basic needs met. For some of our clients, these community nights were their first exposure to professional dance productions. Thank you for thinking of our residents and making the arts accessible to all members of our community.”

Dawn Bayardo, Child and Family Therapist
The Salvation Army

“Night of Community gives our clients a chance to have an experience that they otherwise wouldn’t be able to have. I saw a group of our kids that were so excited over what they were experiencing as if it was the best night of their life.”

Terri Ruffino
The Dream Come True Foundation

 

“All my clients who attend report enjoying the ballet. Getting a distraction from a difficult life of stress, illness, and poverty is a great relief. Most of the [clients] I have invited have never been to the ballet before and now ask about when the next one will be.”

Ada Martinez, LCSW
Seton Community Health

2024/25 Night of Community Sponsors

THE REAUD CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

Endowed in part by Sarah & Ernest Butler through the Ballet Austin Foundation.

Education Underwriter

POWELL FOUNDATION

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