The Georgia Ballet is bringing two wildly different stories to the same stage this month, opening its 2026/27 mainstage season with Firebird & Carmen, running October 22 through October 25 at the Jennie T. Anderson Theatre in Marietta. The program pairs a mystical tale of transformation with a smoldering drama about love and independence, all set to live orchestral music.
According to the City of Marietta, Ga., Government, the evening features two dramatically different ballets performed back to back: Firebird, described as a tale of fantasy and transformation, and Carmen, a story steeped in passion and tension. Firebird marks the Georgia Ballet premiere of a one-act work choreographed by Daet Rodriguez, who the Facebook post identifies as the company's artistic director. Per the Georgia Ballet, the ballet unfolds in a magical world of legend and transformation, where a mystical creature's power brings hope and renewal.
Carmen, meanwhile, leans into intensity rather than wonder. The Georgia Ballet describes the piece as burning with intensity as a fiercely independent woman lives, and loves, by her own rules. Both works come alive with the Georgia Ballet Symphony performing live, playing Igor Stravinsky's score for Firebird and Georges Bizet's for Carmen, as noted by ARTS ATL.
A Sensory-Friendly Option on Opening Night
Thursday's performance carries an extra layer of accessibility. The Georgia Ballet says that showing will be a one-hour and 15 minute, sensory-friendly presentation of Firebird, built around a smaller audience, softened music and lighting, and an inclusive environment for attendees who benefit from a lower-stimulation setting. The full lineup runs from a 7 p.m. opening on October 22 through a 4 p.m. closing performance on October 25, all at the Jennie T. Anderson Theatre.
The production leans on the company's full creative bench, combining new choreography, live orchestral music, professional dancers, classical scores and theatrical storytelling in a single night, according to the Facebook post from the City of Marietta. That blend reflects what the company's own materials describe as its ongoing emphasis on pairing professional ballet with live orchestral performance, featuring the company's professional dancers alongside a live orchestra, the organization notes.
Season Context and Ticket Guidance
Firebird & Carmen is the opening production of a season that also includes The Nutcracker and Sleeping Beauty, rounding out a year built around large-scale storytelling ballets. The Georgia Ballet, founded in 1960, bills itself as a nonprofit arts organization serving the region.
For anyone planning to attend, the company has one clear piece of guidance: buy only through official channels. The Georgia Ballet advises that tickets should be purchased only through GeorgiaBallet.org or the official ticket links provided on its website, a caution worth heeding given how easily secondary sellers can muddy ticketing for smaller regional arts groups.
