AWAKENING 2026
Awakening Festival returns to Bushnell Park for it's fifth year with a free performance on Saturday, August 29th. Hartford's choreographic incubator is open to dancers and artists of all levels and backgrounds. Held in the studios at the 224 EcoSpace, participants take daily classes (rotating between ballet, modern, contemporary) and work with featured choreographers throughout the two weeks. Join us for an incredible time marked by beautiful artistry, student-professional inspiration, and deepening connections. Reach out to ldoran@ballethartford.com with questions or refer to the schedule below!
Awakening Festival Classes
Location: August 17th - 21st | Connecticut Concert Ballet 280 Garden Grove Rd, Manchester
Location: August 24th - 28th | The EcoSpace, 224 Farmington Ave, Hartford
*Hartford parking: Please park alongside the building or on the left hand side. Middle lot is for adjacent apartment buildings and your car WILL be towed. Ballet Hartford is not responsible for towed vehicles.
All Classes are from 9:30-10:30AM at CCB in Manchester
Monday, August 17th - Ballet with Leyna Doran
Tuesday, August 18th - Contemporary with Julia Pankau
Wednesday, August 19th - Ballet with Claire Kretzschmar
Thursday, August 20th - Modern with Paiter van Yperen
Friday, August 21st - Ballet with Claire Kretzschmar
All Classes are from 9:30-10:30AM at The EcoSpace in Hartford
Monday, August 24th - Ballet with Leyna Doran
Tuesday, August 25th - Contemporary with Steve Rooks
Wednesday, August 26th - Ballet with Hannah Kruse
Thursday, August 27th - Modern with Paiter van Yperen
Friday, August 28th - Ballet with Leyna Doran
Saturday, August 29th - *12-1pm Ballet with Hannah Kruse
SCHEDULE
Friday, August 14th
Audition at the 224 EcoSpace 12:00-1:00PM (Following Open class at 10am)Monday, August 17th- Saturday, August 29th
Classes and Rehearsals at Connecticut Concert Ballet or 224 EcoSpaceClasses 9:30-10:30 | Rehearsals 10:30-1:30Saturday, August 29th
Performance at Bushnell Park’s Performance Pavilion6:00pm*Reserve your spot by emailing ldoran@ballethartford.com
HISTORY
Started in the summer of 2021, Ballet Hartford’s annual summer festival is an opportunity for the community to gather and be refreshed by the works of artists of various disciplines.
Over a ten day period, dancers (both students and professionals) are invited to rehearse with the company, learning new repertoire by choreographers, specifically created for this festival.
The dancers perform the works on the tenth day in an open-air festival hosted by the Bushnell Park. This performance is free to the audience and includes live art from local visual artists, musicians, and a dance class onstage for young audience members!