A Conversation with Jessica Lang and Peter Boal
Hello everyone, In place of my director’s notes, I’m offering this interview with PNB’s Resident Choreographer, Jessica Lang. We are thrilled to present ALL LANG, PNB’s final program of the season this May. Included in the program are Her Door to the Sky (2016), Ghost Variations (2020), and ZigZag created for American Ballet Theatre (ABT) […]
Her Door to the Sky Inspirations: Georgia O’Keeffe’s Patio Door Series
Jessica Lang’s Her Door to the Sky first premiered in 2017, the centennial celebration of painter Georgia O’Keeffe’s first solo exhibition in New York. After nearly 10 years, the piece returns to the PNB stage as part of our ALL LANG program. Her Door to the Sky is inspired by Georgia O’Keeffe’s Patio Door Series, […]
The Language of Flowers in Giselle
Giselle is one of the oldest (and most beloved) ballets. Giselle premiered in Paris during the Victorian era, a time when audiences were fascinated by nature and the symbolic meanings of flowers. That fascination is woven throughout the ballet, adding a secret layer of meaning through floral symbolism. Pacific Northwest Ballet’s production of Giselle […]
Meet the Giselle Characters
Giselle features some of the most beloved characters in ballet. Today on the PNB Blog, we’re breaking down who’s who. Familiarize yourself with each one, so when the show starts, you can sit back, relax, and enjoy this timeless story!
Artistic Director’s Notebook: Giselle 2026
Dear Friends, Giselle has enthralled audiences since its premiere in Paris in 1841. I’ll do the math for you—that’s 185 years ago. Despite the years, audiences seem as intrigued today as they were on opening night. There are a few reasons why Giselle works. First, the plot is so good. As the curtain rises on […]
Giselle Pantomime Guide
Learn the mime gestures used in Giselle, from “love” and “beautiful” to “marry” and “grief.” A visual guide to understanding ballet’s expressive storytelling.
Subscriber Postlude: Kent Stowell’s Notes on Firebird
PNB Founding Artistic Director Kent Stowell shares the history behind creating Firebird and building PNB’s repertory and audience since 1977.
Giselle Sets: Before and After
Go behind the scenes to see how PNB’s scenic team hand-paints the stunning sets for Giselle, designed by Jérôme Kaplan, from sketch to stage.
The Story of Momotaro
Discover the Japanese folktale of Momotaro, a brave boy born from a peach who befriends a dog, monkey, and pheasant to defeat the ogres.
A Day in the Life of a Professional Division Student: Rehearsing Momotaro
Follow PD student Christopher Karhunen through a busy rehearsal day as he prepares to dance the lead role in PNB’s new ballet Momotaro.