Miami City Ballet Will Debut New Opus Jazz Costumes
The company performs the Jerome Robbins classic featuring streetwear designs on October 16.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Dance
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The Miami City Ballet will perform Jerome Robbins's 1958 ballet Opus Jazz on October 16, 2026, as part of the company's American Rhythms program. The production features a modern redesign of the show's original stage costumes.
Why it matters
The company aims to honor its artistic legacy while refreshing the repertoire for modern viewers through updated aesthetics. By integrating contemporary fashion into a classic work, the production seeks to make the choreography resonate with current audiences.
The production features 16 dancers performing to a score by Robert Prince, with the original ballet holding a 45-minute runtime. A visual campaign film directed by Ezra Hurwitz, which accompanies the project, lasts 2 minutes.
The players
Miami City Ballet
This professional ballet company is based in Miami and is known for performing both classic and contemporary works.
Jerome Robbins
He was an influential American choreographer and director who created many iconic works for both the stage and screen.
Zac Posen
He is a prominent fashion designer recognized for his work in luxury couture and ready-to-wear collections.
Gonzalo Garcia
He serves as the artistic director for the Miami City Ballet and focuses on company growth and repertoire development.
Ezra Hurwitz
He is a filmmaker and choreographer who directed the visual campaign film associated with this production.
The details
Designed by Zac Posen for GapStudio, the new costumes incorporate Infinity Stretch denim, hoodies, and T-shirts to facilitate complex ballet movements. The construction hides functional leotards within these casual garments to maintain the show's aesthetic while enabling performance.
Timeline
Jerome Robbins created Opus Jazz in 1958.
Gonzalo Garcia first saw the ballet in 2009.
A film adaptation was created in 2010.
Miami City Ballet performs the new production on October 16, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
This production reflects a broader trend in ballet where companies are collaborating with high-fashion designers to bridge the gap between classical dance and modern popular culture. These partnerships allow institutions to experiment with performance aesthetics, effectively updating legacy repertoire to remain relevant in a media-saturated landscape.
Audiences can experience this refreshed version of Opus Jazz as part of the American Rhythms program scheduled for October 16. Attendees will see how contemporary fashion, such as stretch denim and casual hoodies, functions in a professional ballet setting.
The takeaway
The intersection of high fashion and dance can successfully modernize classic works while maintaining technical rigor. Viewers should observe how costume innovation can expand the physical possibilities of performers in traditional disciplines.
Further reading
For more background on the local performing arts scene, visit Dance.
Source note: This article includes information reported by British Vogue.
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