American Midwest Ballet Presents A Midsummer Night’s Dream

American Midwest Ballet will close its sixteenth season with performances of William Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at Omaha’s Orpheum Theatre on April 18 and 19, 2026.

The production, choreographed by Oskar Antunez, follows Shakespeare’s original storyline closely while incorporating balletic twists and drawing movement inspiration from Felix Mendelssohn’s widely-known musical score. Antunez, a guest choreographer with extensive experience performing with Les Grands Ballet Canadiens, the Harkness Ballet of New York, and the Royal Danish Ballet, made his choreographic debut with the latter company and has since staged numerous works including Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker, Stravinsky’s Tango, and Alice in Wonderland.

The company’s 2026 season run features dancers Nora Carr, Elena Carter, Ryan Christopher, Sophie Graham, Eliza Harden, Alexandria Hoffman, Jack Kadzis, Casey Kelley, Leah Kressin, and Kogan Larsen, under the leadership of CEO and artistic director Erika Overturff and ballet master Erin Alarcón. Performances will take place at the Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center on April 11 and 12 before moving to the Orpheum Theatre for the final weekend.

Set in the Forest of Arden, the ballet portrays feuding fairies, mismatched lovers, and comic confusion through dazzling dance, elaborate costumes, and breathtaking sets, all underscored by Mendelssohn’s enchanting score, which includes the well-known Wedding March from his incidental music composed for the play in 1843.

As part of its mission to bring Shakespeare’s most beloved romantic comedy to life, American Midwest Ballet affirms that with the right kind of magic, true love can conquer all—a theme central to both the original play and this ballet adaptation.