DALA News:
Dance Arts Los Alamos presents Neverland, a two-act ballet at 7 p.m., April 25, and at 2 p.m., April 26, at Duane Smith Auditorium. This original full-length production re-imagines the beloved characters of Peter Pan, Tinkerbell, Wendy, Captain Hook, and many more in a new adventure story promising a thrilling theatrical experience suitable for all ages!
The performance will feature the advanced levels of DALA’s ballet program, showcasing the talents of DALA’s pre-professional students in the principal roles. The Pirates and Lost Boys highlight DALA’s Boys Ballet dancers, who will impress audiences with dancing, fencing, and acting skills! Los Alamos-based physicist Thanos Stamatopoulos will portray the formidable Captain Hook, and DALA Alumni Caroline Wurden serves as his loyal but bumbling first mate, Smee. Audiences will be immersed in the whimsy of Neverland through original choreography and all-new sets, costumes, lighting design and dramatic stage effects! Choreography by Jonathan Guise, Rachel Zervakos, Allison Beaux, Isabella Jimenez, and Audrey Roman; costume design by Daria Cuthbertson, Rachel Zervakos, and Los Alamos-based artists; production design by Jonathan Guise in collaboration with Los Alamos High School stage craft classes and theater director Joseph Santi-Unger.
In conjunction with the ballet, DALA will host its fourth annual Spring Gala fundraising event at New Beginnings Church on Saturday, April 25 from 4:30-6:30pm preceding the premiere performance of Neverland. Guests can expect an elegant pre-show event celebrating the theme of Neverland including “Never-Grow-Up Mocktails” and catered hors d’oeuvres, music, and dancing! Guests will enjoy a special performance by DALA’s Adaptive Dance Program, followed by presentations from Artistic Staff and Board of Directors, opportunities to financially support DALA’s nonprofit programs, and the exclusive announcement of the 2026-2027 season programming! Tickets to the gala are $75 and include admittance to both the Spring Gala event and a reserved seat at the Saturday, April 25 7:00pm opening performance of Neverland.
The weekend will also include DALA’s Spring Dance Concert on Friday, April 24 at 7:00pm, featuring DALA’s growing modern dance program, in addition to hip hop, flamenco, swing, tap, jazz, Scottish Highland Dance, contemporary ballet, and more! All performances will take place at the Duane Smith Auditorium, 1300 Diamond Drive. Tickets are available for online purchase via this link and will also be available at the door.
Showtimes:
- Mixed Repertoire Concert: 7 p.m., Friday, April 24
- Neverland ballet: 7 p.m., Saturday, April 25, and 2 p.m., Sunday, April 26
- DALA’s 4th Annual Gala: 4:30–6:30 p.m., Saturday, April 25 at New Beginnings Church 112 E Rd, Los Alamos
About DALA
Dance Arts Los Alamos is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that has been operating in Los Alamos County for over thirty years. DALA is dedicated to promoting dance in Los Alamos, White Rock and Northern New Mexico by providing safe, professional, progressive instruction and high-quality performances. DALA offers classes for ages 18 months through Adult with over 75 hours of instruction per week in Creative Movement, Dance Exploration, Pre-Ballet, Classical Ballet & Pointe, Variations & Pas de Deux, Modern, Contemporary, Jazz, Hip Hop, Flamenco, Classical Spanish, Scottish Highland, Tap, Musical Theatre, and Adaptive Dance, which provides dancers with disabilities ages 8-12 and 13-adult classes to practice motor skills, rhythm, and movement discovery in a safe, paced, and professional environment. DALA presents multiple productions per year, including the beloved Nutcracker on “The Hill” trilogy at WinterFest, a full-length ballet in the spring, the annual Mixed Repertory and Young Children’s Showcases, plus additional performances throughout New Mexico.
Selected advanced dancers compete annually at the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) international ballet competition. At YAGP 2024, DALA was awarded a Top 12 Score for Large Ensemble and in 2025, placed in the Top 6 for Large Ensemble and advanced to the international finals. All DALA instructors come from an incredible background of professional dance and/or dance in higher education. DALA has locations in White Rock and Los Alamos, reaching over 350 students. Dance with us this summer! DALA summer intensives, camps, and classes are coming to White Rock and Los Alamos in June and July 2026 for all ages!
Visit www.danceartslosalamos.org or email office@danceartslosalamos.org for more information, and follow DALA on Instagram @danceartslosalamos and Facebook!
