UNCSA students to join Dance Theatre of Harlem’s iconic “Firebird” on international tour

Student participation in the tour stems from a partnership between Dance Theatre of Harlem and UNCSA, announced in 2024, made possible with funding and programmatic support by the Thomas S. Kenan Institute for the Arts (Kenan Arts) in Winston-Salem. The partnership is part of a larger effort to expand and evolve industry partnerships for UNCSA as one of the pillars of its strategic plan, UNCSA Forward, as well as programmatic initiatives of Kenan Arts.

The international tour follows a multiyear development process in which UNCSA student dancers traveled to New York City in spring 2024 to learn the John Taras choreography for “Firebird” – created exclusively for DTH in 1982 and last performed by the company in 2004 – directly from Dance Theatre of Harlem company members and original cast members of the production. That work culminated in a workshop performance in High Point, N.C., in April 2024 as part of the UNCSA Spring Dance program with the score performed live by the UNCSA Symphony Orchestra. Students selected for the corps de ballet for the 2026 tour were cast after an observation and audition process led by DTH Artistic Director Robert Garland in collaboration with the UNCSA School of Dance faculty. They will perform in the roles of Beautiful Maidens and Creatures of Evil in alternating casts.

In addition to the dancers, 10 student musicians from the UNCSA Symphony Orchestra in the School of Music will join the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Tara Simoncic, to perform Stravinsky’s innovative score live for the Norfolk performances at the 2026 Virginia Arts Festival — further extending the collaboration across conservatories and disciplines. The UNCSA Symphony Orchestra’s 2024 recording of Stravinsky’s “The Firebird Ballet Suite,” conducted by Mark A. Norman and released on UNCSA Media, will provide the musical accompaniment for “Firebird” in other tour locations.

“This next phase of our partnership with Dance Theatre of Harlem represents the very best of UNCSA: rigorous training, collaboration across the arts, and extraordinary opportunities for our students to perform on the world stage,” said UNCSA Chancellor Brian Cole. “We are proud to see our students join the ranks of a company that has inspired generations.”

“It’s an absolute joy to have the talented students of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts join us for the return of Dance Theatre of Harlem’s iconic “Firebird,” said Garland. “‘Firebird’ holds a special place in our company’s history — it’s a work that redefined what classical ballet could be and who it could represent. To share this legacy with the next generation of artists, giving them the opportunity to experience its power and artistry from within, is both an honor and a continuation of the spirit of transformation that ‘Firebird’ embodies.”

“To perform in this iconic rendering of ‘Firebird’ with Dance Theatre of Harlem is an honor and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our students,” said UNCSA School of Dance Dean Endalyn T. Outlaw a former DTH principal dancer and former director of the Dance Theatre of Harlem School. “This collaboration exemplifies the professional readiness we strive to cultivate at UNCSA.

“We are proud that UNCSA has played a part in bringing new life to this historic work,” she added. “This landmark production has inspired generations of dancers and remains one of the signature works in the history of Dance Theatre of Harlem. To help enable its resurgence is deeply meaningful — both for UNCSA and for me personally.”

“We are deeply grateful to the Thomas S. Kenan Institute for the Arts for their generous support of Dance Theatre of Harlem’s production of ‘Firebird,’ said DTH Executive Director Anna Glass. “This collaboration with the University of North Carolina School of the Arts is truly special — it brings together professional dancers and student artists in a shared creative process that celebrates innovation, artistry and education. It’s a rare and inspiring opportunity for the next generation of performers to experience firsthand the power of collaboration that lies at the heart of Dance Theatre of Harlem’s mission.”

“Expanding pathways for creativity is at the heart of our mission,” said Executive Director Kevin Bitterman of the Kenan Institute for the Arts. “Our partnership with Dance Theatre of Harlem and UNCSA underscores our commitment to helping students bridge the transition from conservatory training to professional practice. Partnerships like these not only launch the careers of emerging artists but also support the work of cultural institutions during a pivotal moment for the arts sector.”

First premiered in 1982, this iconic production makes its grand return with special limited engagements throughout 2026. The beloved ballet, originally choreographed by John Taras, with original vibrant costumes and set designs by Geoffrey Holder, will once again captivate audiences with its enchanting storytelling, lush Caribbean-inspired setting, and unforgettable performances. A reimagining of the classic Russian folk tale about love and liberation, “Firebird” transports audiences to a magical world where the heroic “Firebird” helps a young couple triumph over evil. Set to Igor Stravinsky's renowned ”Firebird” Suite, John Taras' dynamic choreography is brought to life by Geoffrey Holder's stunning designs, evoking orchid-filled jungles and dazzling, fantastical costumes. These vibrant visuals enhance the enchanting tale, creating an immersive experience of color, movement and emotion. The production, a hallmark of Dance Theatre of Harlem's artistic legacy, fuses classical ballet with bold cultural vibrancy, offering a celebration of movement, music, and imagination.

This remounting of ”Firebird” is under the supervision of Leo Holder, son of the late Geoffrey Holder, reconstructed in close collaboration with the Holder Estate. The production meticulously preserves the original magic and integrity of the 1982 ballet, ensuring that its splendor and artistry captivate new generations of audiences.