Turning to the Light (Zhongjing Fang/Ezio Bosso)
Cast: Luigi Crispino

The Joyce Theater's Ballet Festival returns this summer with UNITE, a one-week celebration of the long bright line of ballet. Creatively directed and co-produced by Calvin Royal III, Principal Dancer with American Ballet Theatre, this year's festival brings together a global community of distinguished artists from nine esteemed companies across five continents, spanning four generations, a beautiful array of ethnicities all to share and celebrate our collective humanity through dance. 

UNITE also connects the arc of ballet with the best of its present and future artists and master choreographers with works by Sir Kenneth MacMillan, George Balanchine, and Angelin Preljocaj and a selection of contemporary, New York and world-premiere works. Adding to the festival's allure, Royal debuts a self-choreographed solo alongside creations by fellow dancers of American Ballet Theatre, Alonzo King LINES Ballet, Boston Ballet, and more. 

“As The Joyce represents ultimate artistry and dance legacy, it is important to me that the Festival evenings, taken together, honor the past; reflect the present; and extend to the future of what our art form can be,” says Royal.