This month brings several student and faculty performances including those of dancEnsemble and Theatre Ballet Studio Company; as well as alumni events and auditions for Winter 2026.
Theatre Ballet Studio Company Presents Alice
November 20-22 in the RB Dance Performance Theatre | Purchase tickets here
How can we understand ourselves and our place within the world? How do we become agents that act, rather than agents that are acted upon? How are we changed by going through moments of confusion and how do those moments help us better understand ourselves? These questions and other themes of becoming will be explored in the Theatre Ballet Studio Company’s all new production of Alice. Artistic director Hilary Wolfley, in collaboration with Isabelle Walker and Aubrie Owen, bring Lewis Carroll’s beloved stories of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass to life on-stage. Alice pushes the audience’s perception of what a classical ballet production is: it features music from various artists curated by the three choreographers, aerial work facilitated by faculty member Adam Dyer, and animated backdrop projections by student designer Erica Flynn and Production Designer Erin Bjorn. Collaboration permeates every aspect of this ballet, including the makeup designs which are by student makeup artist Shaina Romney.
“We aim to make a show that will delight audiences of all ages—one that includes whimsy, depth, spectacle, and artistry,” said Wolfley. “We are focusing on being choreographically innovative within the classical ballet vocabulary in this reimagination of Alice’s adventures.”
Theatre Ballet will also guest perform two pieces: Simply Mozart by Melinda Howe and Venus de Milo, “A Way to See Where Other Things Are” by Eva Stone.
Halloween 2025 Recap | Costumes Around the RB
Ballet Alumni Observation Day 2025
On Nov. 22 the BYU Ballet Area will host its annual Ballet Observation Day for alumni in conjunction with Theatre Ballet Studio Company’s (TBSC) performance of Alice. Alumni can participate in a ballet class from 4:45-5:45 p.m. in 283 RB. Then, at 6:00-7:00 p.m., they can observe the Theatre Ballet and TBSC warm-up class. Alumni are invited to purchase tickets and attend the performance of Alice at either 2:00 p.m. or 7:00 p.m. in the RB Dance Performance Theatre.
Please note that performance viewing is in-person only and a ticket is required. All other activities are free of charge and will have a Zoom option.
To register for BYU Ballet Observation Day, click here. To purchase tickets for Alice, click here.
For more information on department alumni events, visit https://dance.byu.edu/alumni
Dance in the News:
Daily Universe | BYU Celebrates Homecoming Week with Sesquicentennial BYU Spectacular
@BYUDance on Instagram | World of Dance Recap
Mark Your Calendars: Upcoming Events
- She Loves Me | BYU Department of Theatre and Media Arts with choreography by dance faculty member Brooke Storheim | Nov. 7-22 | Mainstage Theatre, West Campus | Read CFAC news release here | Purchase tickets here
- dancEnsemble in Concert: Currents | Nov. 13-15 in RB Dance Performance Theatre | Q&A with the student choreographers will be held on Thursday | Read CFAC news release here | Purchase tickets here
- BYU Stewardship Symposium “On Becoming Disciple-Stewards: The Restored Gospel and God’s Creation” | Nov. 14-15 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. in the Maeser Building | There will be an “Environmental Resonance” Faculty Music Concert on Nov. 13 at 7:30 p.m. in The BOX (Music Building) | Keely Song will be speaking on an artistic panel titled, “An Act of Listening, an Act of Witnessing,” with Michelle Kesler and Steven Ricks at on Nov. 15 at 10:30 a.m in 202 MSRB | No registration is required | Click here for more information
- BYU Dancesport Championships | Nov. 14-15 in the Wilkinson Student Center | Purchase tickets here
- Wasatch Contemporary Dance Company: Ink & Bone | Nov. 14-15 at 7 p.m. at the Orem Library Hall | Featuring the artistic works of BYU faculty Keely Song, Michelle Kesler, and Kau’i Tuia | There will be a family and sensory friendly matinee on Nov. 15 at 1 p.m. | For tickets and more information click here
- Annual Grad Plans Due for New Majors | Nov. 15 | Click here for more information
- BYU dancEnsemble and Kinnect Auditions | For Winter 2026 | Nov. 18 at 4:00-7:00 p.m. | Note that callbacks for Kinnect will be on Nov. 20 at 4:00-6:00 p.m. | Register here
- dancEnsemble Choreographer Application Due | Nov. 18 | Interviews will be held on Nov. 20 | Apply here
- Theatre Ballet Studio Company: Alice | Nov. 20-22 in RB Dance Performance Theatre | Purchase tickets here
- BYU Ballet Observation Day | Nov. 22 | Register here
Uplifting Thought of the Week by Liz Dibble, Assistant Professor
As the leaves begin to change and the temperature begins to drop, I can’t help but anticipate the holidays to come. With the magic, lights, and excitement of Christmas and the quiet, family time and reflection of Thanksgiving, both holidays are an opportunity to turn our hearts to the Savior.
Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and I have been meditating on the power of gratitude in my life. Doctrine and Covenants 59:7 reads, “Thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in all things.” As I’ve pondered this verse, it has been fascinating to me how Christ uses, “Thou shalt,” at the beginning. It is a phrase reserved for the most important of directives. It is commandment language. We are commanded to acknowledge the Lord and His hand in our lives.
It also stood out to me that we are commanded to be grateful in ALL things. There are so many things: my children, my husband, this beautiful world, that are easy to be grateful for. They bring instantaneous joy into my life. It feels much harder to be grateful for my trials, my weakness, and those moments that bruise my body or my ego.
In Doctrine and Covenants 122:7, the Lord promised Joseph Smith in Liberty Jail that, “all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.” I hold onto that promise often.
As struggles appear, as finals approach, as conflict reigns, and burdens feel too hard to bear, may we turn to the Savior who is the source of all healing and rest. May we live in thanksgiving daily for all of the assistance we have been given. Being grateful for the hard things is not easy, it takes concerted effort and determined practice. When I work hard to give thanks for all of the different facets of my life, I have seen the Lord’s hand in my life in abundance.
There are two realities that exist simultaneously in our lives, one of scarcity and one of abundance. Focusing on gratitude and centering that gratitude in our Savior opens our eyes to a world of abundance. I testify this is true.
Wishing everyone a beautiful holiday season filled with thanks and hope and most importantly, the love of our Savior.
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