Houston Ballet's An Evening with the Stars

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An Evening with the Stars is a mixed repertory program that brings together three distinct works by acclaimed choreographers—each exploring connection, resilience, and the quiet moments that shape us.
“What’s interesting about this program is how it evolves,” said Artistic Director Stanton Welch AM. “It begins with something expansive and collective in Tapestry, then moves into the internal world with Sisu—that idea of resilience and persistence. And it ends somewhere very human with Dances at a Gathering. It’s quieter, more intimate, and really about connection.”
At the heart of the program is Tapestry by Artistic Director Stanton Welch AM, a work that reflects the Company itself. Built on the idea that a ballet company is made stronger by its differences, the piece weaves together dancers, styles, and energy into something collective and constantly shifting.
The program also introduces a world premiere by Australian choreographer Alice Topp, marking her return to Houston Ballet. Inspired by the Finnish concept of “sisu”—a kind of quiet, unyielding resilience—the new work asks how we continue forward in the face of adversity, and what it takes to keep that inner spark alive.
Closing out the evening is Dances at a Gathering, a rarely performed masterwork by Jerome Robbins. Both Artistic Directors Julie Kent and Stanton Welch have long admired the ballet for its emotional depth and musicality, and saw a unique opportunity to bring this quietly powerful work to Houston Ballet audiences. Set to piano music by Frédéric Chopin, the ballet has no formal narrative—just a group of individuals sharing space, time, and emotion.

Photo Credits: Houston Ballet Principal Karina González and Soloist Bridget Allinson-Kuhns rehearsing Jerome Robbins’ Dances at a Gathering. Photo by Alana Campbell (2026). Courtesy of Houston Ballet.

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