The Grand Stage is a kid-friendly live performance with costumes, music, and props performed by the professional ballet dancers of New England Ballet Theatre! The performance will be followed by a short Q&A info session with the dancers. The performance options for this 2025-2026 season are:

The Fantastic Toyshop:
The Fantastic Toyshop is a holiday-themed ballet choreographed by Rachael Gnatowski with music by Ottorino Respighi. This ballet was created specifically for the Greater Hartford community. Inspired by "La Boutique Fantasque" a ballet choreographed by Léonide Massine in 1919, our production includes special nods to the city and people of Hartford. You can catch costumes that resemble the Colt Armory, a magical snow scene, even elves that double dutch! This show is pure holiday magic, and fun for all ages. We believe it is so important to expose children to this rich cultural art form, and this ballet is a fun introduction.
It can be performed from November-December.

The Little Mermaid:
“The Little Mermaid” is based on the original folk tale by Hans Christian Anderson and draws heavily on Nordic folk art influences, with Viking-inspired makeup and Scandinavian motifs in costumes and stage design. This ballet tells the story of a young mermaid princess who wants to gain a human soul so badly that she gives up her life as a mermaid. The ballet follows her journey as she becomes intrigued with life out of the water, falls in love with a prince, visits the sea witch to become a human, gets her heart broken, and learns many life lessons along the way about love, friendship, empathy, and compassion.
It can be performed all year.

Cinderella:
Cinderella is a ballet composed by Sergei Prokofiev in the 20th century. It tells the story of a girl, Cinderella, who is devastated after her mother’s passing. Her father has remarried a harsh woman with two cruel daughters who do not treat her well. She spends her time daydreaming about a better life, until a Fairy Godmother suddenly appears with invitations to a royal ball. The Stepsisters are getting ready for the ball, but Cinderella has no gown to wear so she must stay home instead. Until, the Fairy Godmother’s helpers come and take Cinderella to an enchanted garden. There, they transform her rags into a beautiful ball gown, a pumpkin into a carriage, and mice into horses. The Fairy Godmother gives her glass slippers and warns she must return from the royal ball before midnight. At the ball, the Prince is not interested in anyone until he sees Cinderella. Cinderella and the Prince dance together until midnight when Cinderella leaves in a hurry leaving behind a glass slipper. The Prince, now desperately in love, vows to find her. He searches the kingdom far and wide, but cannot find anyone whose foot fits into the shoe. He finally finds Cinderella, and they live happily ever after.
It can be performed all year.