NWA Ballet Theatre brings “The Princess & The Pea” to the Thaden Performing Arts Center in Bentonville for two performances on May 30, offering a fresh take on the classic fairy tale through dance.
The production, staged as a full-length ballet, reimagines the story of a prince searching for a true princess and the test of authenticity involving a single pea. With choreography by Olivia Stoops and original music, the performance blends whimsy with technical artistry. Tickets are priced at $28.63 and available through the company’s website.
Doors open at 1 p.m. for the 2 p.m. matinee; the evening show begins at 7 p.m. Both performances take place at Thaden Performing Arts Center, located at 805 S. Main St. in Bentonville. The venue, known for its intimate setting and clear sightlines, pairs well with the scale and tone of the production.
A Familiar Tale, Told Through Movement
“This is a story everyone knows,” said Stoops in a brief statement. “But ballet lets us explore it differently — not just what’s said, but what’s felt.”
The cast includes local dancers from the region, many of whom train regularly with NWA Ballet Theatre’s pre-professional program. Costumes, designed in-house, lean into soft pastels and exaggerated silhouettes that nod to storybook illustration without veering into caricature. The set is minimal, letting the dancers’ movements guide the audience through each scene.
For families, the runtime — just under 90 minutes with no intermission — makes it accessible to younger viewers. Stoops described the piece as “a gentle introduction to ballet for kids, and a reminder for adults of how expressive classical dance can be.”
“We wanted something that felt celebratory,” she added. “There’s humor, heart, and a little bit of exaggeration — especially when it comes to the mattresses.”
Practical Details
Tickets are available online at nwaballettheatre.org/pea. General admission is $28.63, with discounts for students and seniors. The Thaden Performing Arts Center offers street parking along South Main Street and nearby lots. Doors open 30 minutes before each show.
While the performance is all-ages, strollers must be checked at the door. Photography or recording inside the theater is not permitted.
Founded in 2019, NWA Ballet Theatre has grown from a small troupe performing in community centers to a company with a dedicated rehearsal space and a slate of original productions each year. “The Princess & The Pea” is the third mainstage performance of the 2025 season, following “The Nutcracker” in December and “Cinderella” in February.
The company also offers youth classes and community workshops, some of which are free to attendees of their shows. Information on upcoming programming can be found on their website.
Those who miss this weekend’s performances may have another chance later in the year. Stoops confirmed that the company is considering a holiday revival, though dates have not yet been set.
Source: NWA Democrat Gazette
