"I hope audiences leave with space to reflect on their own life experiences—and that they’re moved to feel something, whatever that emotion may be. Experiencing the Joffrey in a more intimate setting brings you closer to the artists, revealing the depth and individuality of each performer in a way that’s truly rare." - Ashley Wheater, Mary B. Galvin Artistic Director of The Joffrey Ballet
As part of their Meet the Artist series, DeBartolo Performing Arts Center (DPAC) connected with The Mary B. Galvin Artistic Director of The Joffrey Ballet, Ashley Wheater, MBE, to learn more about two new compositions, Broken Wings and Wabash & You, what it means to premiere at Notre Dame, and how to honor tradition through contemporary storytelling.
The Joffrey Ballet's involvement in DPAC's Presenting Series takes the form of a week-long residency. At the conclusion of the residency, Notre Dame and our surrounding community have the opportunity to be the first to preview Broken Wings, inspired by Frida Kahlo, and the nostalgic modern love story Wabash & You in DPAC's Patricia George Decio Theatre Thursday, October 30 - Saturday, November 1.
Read the full interview with DeBartolo Performing Arts Center
More artists to meet!
Explore the inner workings of ballet at the professional level with Joffrey dancers, Initiative on Race and Resilience artist-in-residence Brendan Fernandes, and Assistant Professor of French Madison Mainwaring during a roundtable conversation on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at 6:30 pm before the 7:30 performance. For all performance times and ticket information, visit performingarts.nd.edu/events. Tickets are required for the ballet but not for the pre-talk.