Ballet Papillon proudly presents its premiere production of The Papillon Project: The Becoming. The inspiration behind this performance delves in on what it means to be human and how each life connects. It begins with a shared breath and then follows the countless moments that shape us thereafter. Through movement, breath, and shared physical experience, the choreography explores vulnerability, resilience, love, loss, and renewal. It proposes that humanity is not defined by perfection or certainty, but rather by our continual willingness to breathe into change, connect with others, and begin again, making each moment a quiet act of becoming. We live, we breathe, and we move forward together through the challenges and chaos of life.

ABOUT THE PAPILLON PROJECT

Ballet Papillon's The Papillon Project 2026 is a two-week professional company experience during which artists will have the opportunity to work with established and emerging choreographers as well as master instructors and other inspiring artists. Throughout this two-week initiative, dancers will participate in company technique classes as well as daily rehearsals to culminate in a main stage production. The Papillon Project Summer Series 2026 is designed specifically to allow artists to continue sharing and developing their artistry over the usual summer layoff period.

Extraordinary in essence, yet proudly accessible to the community, the breathtaking movement of the company resembles the duality of the wings of a butterfly. Elegance paired with power give the dancers their own set of wings to fly, to portray untainted emotion and to deliver a never before seen performance experience. Just as butterflies are the seen as angels’ wings on earth, ballet serves the ultimate outlet of self-expression; a vessel of pure and authentic emotion, artistry, and vulnerability. Ballet Papillon strives to deliver this beauty to the world in a unique and inviting manner.

The mission of Ballet Papillon, a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization, is to deliver freedom and healing through the art of ballet. As a channel of self-expression, movement is utilized as a universal method of communication, which in turn, breaks down the barriers of cultural disparities and bridges the gap dividing populations of varying socio-economic upbringing. By speaking the universal language of dance, we aim to create a unique community of artists who share in the desire to restore the art of ballet back to its original beauty. Ballet Papillon is a family of artists, beautifully broken and perfectly imperfect, with a passion to uncover their buried artistic voice, to mend and build relationships, to achieve a sense of peace among themselves and others and to truly find freedom.

As a company, we strive to uphold an environment that facilitates and fosters the ability for each person to break the chains of self-doubt, imposed limitations of the body and mind, and fear of unveiling their true selves and to share this gift with our audience and every person to whom we connect. Furthermore, striving for excellence in our craft exemplifies the discipline and determination required to successfully embody our mission as a community. Just as butterflies are said to be “nature’s angels that remind us of the gift of happiness”, Ballet Papillon will serve as a channel through which each and every person, including those who are often isolated by disability, illness, cultural, or other differences, can find communion, unity, freedom of expression, and most of all the healing power of dance.