Dayton Ballet

The Light In Between

Dayton, OH — Dayton Dance Initiative proudly announces its 8th season performance, The Light In Between, presented June 26 and 27 at 7:30 p.m. at the PNC Arts Annex in downtown Dayton.

Tickets are available through Dayton Live Ticketing, with prices ranging from $20-$36.50 plus fees. Student and professional artist discounts are available by phone or in person through the box office only by calling 937-228-3630.

This season features five new dance works choreographed and performed by artists from Dayton Ballet, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Cincinnati Ballet, Mutual Dance Theater, and an emerging student choreographer from Wright State University. The production continues Dayton Dance Initiative’s mission of fostering collaboration, artistic exchange, and innovative contemporary performance within the region’s professional dance community.

A major milestone for the organization, The Light In Between also marks Dayton Dance Initiative’s first-ever choreographic commission with an artist outside of Dayton. Supported through the Allegro Grant from The Dayton Foundation, the commission welcomes acclaimed artist David Morse of Cincinnati Ballet into the company’s expanding creative network.

Rooted in intimacy and connection, performances at the PNC Arts Annex place audiences in close proximity to the artists and creative process. Each evening will conclude with a post-show talkback, inviting audiences into deeper dialogue with the choreographers and performers.

“This season opens a new threshold for Dayton Dance Initiative,” says Artistic and Executive Director Jennifer Sydor. “Rooted in trust, time, and exchange, this first choreographic commission reflects our belief that connection-like light-travels, arrives, and reshapes the space it enters. What we practice here does not end in this space; it returns with us-not as answers, but as a subtle transformation that continues unfolding beyond the performance.”

Performance Information:
The Light In Between
June 26 & 27, 2026 — 7:30 p.m.
PNC Arts Annex
46 W. Second Street, Dayton, OH

Tickets: $20-$36.50 plus fees
Student and professional discounts available through call in or the box office only.

Purchase Tickets Here: https://www.daytonlive.org/events/light-in-between/
For More Information Visit: https://www.daytondanceinitiative.com/

ICYMI 📣 DPAA in the news: "What it takes for great art to thrive in Dayton"

DPAA President & CEO Patrick Nugent shares his perspective on what it takes for the arts to thrive in Dayton. In this guest editorial, he reflects on the changing landscape for performing arts organizations and the work of ensuring a vibrant future. READ HERE: https://bit.ly/3SaHLf9

Now is the perfect time to bring friends, family, and the entire kingdom with this amazing BOGO offer to see The Sleeping Beauty. Experience the enchantment of living history with this classic story that first premiered in the 1800s. There's magic in making memories and you don't want to sleep on this great BOGO deal!!

To redeem, use the code: SLEEPINGBOGO

Buy one, get one free offer is only valid toward adult price tickets purchased in seat sections A-D. This offer cannot be combined with other discounts. Good through the run of the show!

We always love our Sip & Social events and love to see your smiling faces. Due to limited space this event is now at capacity. If you'd like to see more events like this, let us know in the comments! ⬇️⬇️⬇️

Wanna see the ballet on stage? Tickets for The Sleeping Beauty are still available for purchase!

Once upon a happy hour... Join us at Swoon Books & Wine on Tuesday, February 10 from 5-7pm for a Sip & Social inspired by Dayton Ballet's upcoming production of The Sleeping Beauty. Sip on themed cocktails, browse swoon-worthy shelves, and mix and mingle with Dayton Ballet dancers and Artistic Director Brandon Ragland as they tease the magic of the upcoming production. With a charming raffle, and plenty of romance in the air, it's the perfect way to awaken your Valentine's (or Galentine's!) spirit a little early.

Location: Swoon Books & Wine
2504 Far Hills Ave
Dayton, OH 45419

This event is free and open to all. Due to limited space, we ask that you please RSVP:
https://bit.ly/4bCAPza

Dayton Ballet is thrilled to welcome four new dancers into the Dayton Ballet Studio Company. This season, you'll see these dancers performing alongside our company dancers and across the community in our dance outreach programs.

Mollie Juniewicz is a native of Dayton and trained at the Dayton Ballet School for over ten years.

Dara Schlesinger is originally from Dayton and received her BFA in dance at Point Park University in Pittsburgh. She previously danced professionally with Mareck Dance.

Isabelle Wilwayco is from Austin, Texas. She trained at Texas Academy of Ballet and Ballet Austin, and most recently graduated from the Professional Division Program at Pacific Northwest Ballet.

Jaiden Morley is from Cincinnati and previously trained at the Joffrey Ballet in Chicago and Ballet West in Salt Lake City.

Welcome to Dayton! We look forward to working with these talented young artists!

Love, betrayal, madness … and ghosts. 👻 Before modern works like Black Swan and Co**se Bride, there was Giselle. What begins as a tender romance transforms into the supernatural. This Halloween season, drift into the afterlife through Brandon Ragland’s chilling choreography. Grab your tickets at https://bit.ly/4n9hVTn

We are pleased to announce that Christian Chester has joined Dayton Ballet for the '25-26 Season! Christian is a Sunbury, OH native and trained with BalletMet from 2011 to 2020. He then joined Louisville Ballet's Studio Company and became a Company Artist in 2023. His favorite ballet is Andrea Schermoly‘s Appalachian Spring, which he performed in Louisville.

When Christian isn't dancing, he enjoys hiking and reading fantasy books.

Welcome to Dayton, Christian!👋

We are pleased to announce that Maxwell Peters has joined Dayton Ballet for the '25-26 Season! Maxwell, originally from Seattle, began dancing at the British Dancing Academy, then studied at the San Francisco Ballet School, then joined the Pacific Northwest Ballet. His favorite thing about being a dancer is the mind-body connection: "It is incredibly healthy for the body. We have to be mobile and strong while being in control of every move we make and still being musical, remembering choreography and spacing." Maxwell's favorite is Romeo and Juliet because he thinks it has the best music, choreography, and story.

When he's not dancing, Peters enjoys playing guitar—which he started at seven years old—painting, drawing, and cooking.

Welcome to Dayton, Maxwell!👋