Contemporary Choreography I at David H. Koch Theater — Dates, Tickets, and What to Expect

If you want to see ballet that was made this season, this is the program for you. Two brand-new works for New York City Ballet, by Alysa Pires and Jennifer Archibald, have their world premieres at the Fall Fashion Gala on Thursday, October 1. The next night they join the regular repertory in Contemporary Choreography I, alongside two recent favorites by Justin Peck and Kyle Abraham.

About the Program

New Pires (world premiere). Alysa Pires was the first Canadian woman to make a work for NYCB, with Standard Deviation in 2023. This is her second piece for the company, and NYCB lists its premiere as October 1, 2026. For the gala she worked with the fashion house Viktor&Rolf.

Pulcinella Variations. Justin Peck’s ballet for nine dancers, set to Stravinsky’s Pulcinella suite, premiered at the David H. Koch Theater on September 28, 2017. It is a string of short dances inspired by commedia dell’arte, with playful costumes by the Japanese designer Tsumori Chisato. It runs about 22 minutes.

New Archibald (world premiere). This is Jennifer Archibald’s first work for NYCB. She founded and leads Arch Dance Company, and NYCB describes her style as a mix of classical and hip-hop. For the gala she collaborated with the designer Robert Wun.

Love Letter (on shuffle). Kyle Abraham’s fourth work for NYCB premiered at the 2022 Fall Fashion Gala. It uses 16 dancers and music by James Blake, with costumes by Giles Deacon. At about 38 minutes, it is the longest piece of the night.

What Makes This Run Special

• Two premieres in their first week. The new Pires and Archibald works are only a day old when this program opens on October 2.
• The Fall Fashion Gala. On Thursday, October 1, the gala program shows three world premieres: the Pires and Archibald works plus a new pas de deux by Justin Peck with costumes by Simone Rocha. NYCB lists the gala program at about 1 hour 5 minutes. Check the official site for the start time and ticket options, including the gala dinner and cocktail reception.
• All contemporary. Every work on this bill is from 2017 or later, so it is a very different evening from the Balanchine-heavy programs around it.

Who Should Go

• Fans of new work: two world premieres and two pieces from the last ten years.
• First-timers who like pop and fashion: James Blake’s music and designer costumes make Love Letter (on shuffle) an easy way in. Our Ballet for Beginners guide has more starting points.
• Regulars: pair it with the all-classic Masters at Work I in the same week for a strong contrast. See our guide to Masters at Work I.

Seats and Booking Tips

• If Friday, October 2 or Sunday, October 4 does not fit your trip, the program returns on Tuesday, October 6 and Wednesday, October 14.
• $30 for 30: NYCB sells $30 rush tickets to ages 13 to 30 for eligible performances. It posts that week’s availability every Tuesday at noon, you need to register with photo ID, and there is a limit of two tickets per buyer.
• Read how to choose seats at a ballet performance and How to Get Cheap Ballet Tickets in the US before you book.

Getting to the David H. Koch Theater

The theater is at Lincoln Center on the Upper West Side, between West 62nd and 65th Streets and Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues. Take the 1 train to 66th St–Lincoln Center, or one of the M5, M7, M10, M11, M66 and M104 buses, which all stop within a block. The Box Office is in the theater lobby at 63rd Street and Columbus Avenue. See NYCB’s Getting Here page for parking.

Back to This Week

See everything on stage in New York this week in Ballet This Week: September Week 4, 2026. Earlier this season we also covered Jewels at the David H. Koch Theater.

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Schedules and prices can change. Please confirm on the official site before booking. Spotted an error? Let me know.

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Read next

• Masters at Work I at David H. Koch Theater — Dates, Tickets, and What to Expect
• Jewels at David H. Koch Theater — Dates, Tickets, and What to Expect
• Ballet This Week: September Week 4, 2026 — New York