The American Ballet Theatre (ABT) will celebrate acclaimed actress, singer, and performer Cynthia Erivo at its 2026 Fall Gala on Thursday, October 29th, 2026, honoring her remarkable contributions to the performing arts and her ability to inspire audiences through multidisciplinary storytelling. The black-tie celebration will bring together prominent figures from entertainment, dance, fashion, philanthropy, and business for an evening of artistic excellence and fundraising. Notable attendees expected at the event include Katie Holmes, Constance Wu, Debbie Allen, Misty Copeland, and Matt Rogers, among others.
As American Ballet Theatre’s flagship annual fundraising event, the Fall Gala supports the company’s productions, the development of new works, dancer training, educational initiatives, and community engagement programs. This year’s celebration will embrace the Halloween season with an imaginative Angels and Demons theme, combining fantasy, mystery, and classical ballet. Curated by ABT Artistic Director Susan Jaffe, the exclusive one-night-only program will feature excerpts from Coppélia, Swan Lake, La Sylphide, Sylvia, The Dream, and Whipped Cream. Additional performances will include Frederick Ashton’s Dance of the Blessed Spirits, Michel Fokine’s Le Spectre de la Rose, and Agnes de Mille’s Three Virgins and a Devil. The evening will showcase the company’s artistic versatility while recognizing Erivo’s accomplishments across theater, film, and music.
The gala will feature performances by an impressive roster of ABT dancers, including Joo Won Ahn, Aran Bell, Skylar Brandt, Daniel Camargo, Herman Cornejo, Thomas Forster, Isaac Hernández, Catherine Hurlin, Chloe Misseldine, SunMi Park, Jake Roxander, Calvin Royal III, Hee Seo, Christine Shevchenko, Devon Teuscher, James Whiteside, Roman Zhurbin, Sierra Armstrong, Léa Fleytoux, and Tyler Maloney. The event will also welcome ABT Executive Director Barry Hughson, alongside distinguished supporters and entertainment personalities. Serving as Gala Grand Chairs are Sloan Lindemann Barnett; Emily Blavatnik and Laila Blavatnik; and Julia Koch and Mary Julia Koch, who will help lead the annual celebration. By honoring Erivo, American Ballet Theatre highlights the connections between different artistic disciplines and the influential performers who continue to shape contemporary entertainment and culture.
American Ballet Theatre’s 2026 Fall Gala promises an evening of extraordinary dance, artistic celebration, and philanthropy as the organization honors Cynthia Erivo. With its imaginative Angels and Demons theme, performances by ABT’s celebrated dancers, and an anticipated gathering of prominent entertainment figures, the event will support the company’s mission to bring world-class ballet to audiences while investing in the future of dance.
