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PRESS & MEDIA | AJKUN BALLET

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A captivating hero image of a sleeping Titania, wearing a gown of turquoise and gold, adorned with a wreath of cornflowers, lying in a lush forest. This photograph captures the magic and beauty of Ajkun Ballet Theatre’s upcoming performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream in New York City, season 2026.

A Midsummer Night's Dream | NYC 2026

A captivating hero image of a sleeping Titania, wearing a gown of turquoise and gold, adorned with a wreath of cornflowers, lying in a lush forest. This photograph captures the magic and beauty of Ajkun Ballet Theatre’s upcoming performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream in New York City, April - August 2026.

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Photo: Alexeij Ajkun | Ajkun Ballet

A professional female ballet dancer performing a high grand jeté in mid-air against a clean white background. She is wearing a pale pink tulle tutu and a decorative black and gold sequined corset. Her arms are gracefully extended, and she is wearing pointe shoes, showcasing perfect form and athletic elegance for Ajkun Ballet Theatre’s 2026 New York City season.

Ajkun Dancer - Midsummer | NYC 2026

Peak Artistry in Motion: A leading dancer of the Ajkun Ballet Theatre captures the ethereal energy of A Midsummer Night’s Dream with a breathtaking grand jeté. Experience the magic, precision, and "Original Art" of this world-class production in New York City opening April 2026, a quintessential New York experience unparalleled in the world of  dance.

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Photo: Rachel Neville | Ajkun Ballet

A powerful, full-body portrait of a male principal dancer in an athletic, crouched pose, emerging from a natural formation in a wooded, mossy environment. The dancer is shirtless, showcasing detailed muscle definition and intense concentration as he balances with exceptional form, reminiscent of a spirit of the woods in A Midsummer Night's Dream. This striking visual exemplifies the high-level artistry of the Ajkun Ballet Theatre for their 2026 NYC season.

Ajkun Dancer - Midsummer | NYC 2026

Powerful Artistry, Untamed Spirit: A principal dancer of the Ajkun Ballet Theatre captures the primal energy and wild elegance of Shakespeare's magical realm. Experience the captivating performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream in New York City this April 2026. Discover why critics call it a masterclass in dynamic artistry.

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Photo: Rachel Neville | Ajkun Ballet

A three-quarter portrait of choreographer Chiara Ajkun in a casual yet poised stance. She wears a crisp white shirt and jeans, looking thoughtfully past the frame towards an off-camera window, which provides soft, natural light and a view of an NYC urban skyline. Her left hand rests on her face, and multiple gold bangles are visible on her wrist. The background features exposed white painted brick, capturing her role as Artistic Director for Ajkun Ballet Theatre’s upcoming 2026 NYC season.

Choreographer - Midsummer | NYC 2026

The Visionary Behind the Magic: Acclaimed choreographer Chiara Ajkun, Artistic Director of the Ajkun Ballet Theatre, reflects on the upcoming 2026 NYC premiere of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Under her visionary guidance, this original production promises to be a masterwork of artistry and technique. Don’t miss this landmark cultural event, in New York City.

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Photo: Rachel Neville | Ajkun Ballet

A wide-angle, full-color photograph taken from the perspective of an audience member looking onto a stage. A male and female principal dancer, both in white rehearsal tunics and ballet slippers, are the central focus. The male dancer is supporting the female dancer in a high, one-handed overhead lift, showcasing intense athletic precision. They are on a dark stage surface in front of a massive, sweeping auditorium of empty red theater seats, with technical equipment like light fixtures and sound baffles visible in the ceiling structure. Two other dancers in black sit watchfully in chairs upstage, and another figure in black stands at the far right. This image captures the technical expertise and scale of Ajkun Ballet Theatre’s rehearsal for their April 2026 NYC season opener of A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Final Rehearsal for A Midsummer Night's

Precision and Passion in Preparation: Principal dancers of the Ajkun Ballet Theatre execute a dramatic lift during rehearsals for the highly anticipated 2026 NYC premiere of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. This rehearsal shot, captured on a vast, empty stage, underscores the technical artistry and dedicated focus of the company under the direction of Chiara Ajkun. Join us in New York City this April for the culmination of this extraordinary work.

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Photo: Gary Gold | Ajkun Ballet

A three-quarter portrait photograph of a female dancer, viewed partially through a mirror reflection, in a ballet dressing room. She is looking directly into the lens with a focused expression. The dancer has dark, neatly pinned hair accented with a wreath of realistic green ivy leaves. She is applying glitter to her chest and neck using a lime green aerosol spray bottle held in her hand, which is in the foreground. Her intense eye makeup is detailed, and a light-colored rehearsal costume is visible. Dust-like particles of silver glitter are actively sparkling on her skin, and some dust hangs in the warm, diffused air. This candid moment captures the specific behind-the-scenes transformation of Ajkun Ballet Theatre’s dancers for their upcoming NYC season.

Sparkle and Spirit: Transformation of a Dancer

Transforming for the Stage: Go behind the scenes with a leading dancer of the Ajkun Ballet Theatre as she prepares for her role in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Captured in the dressing room mirror, this moment of final preparation showcases the intricate blend of athletic conditioning and meticulous artistry required to bring Shakespeare's world to life. This original production premieres in New York City this April 2026, offering audiences a rare, intimate look into the dancer's creative process.

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Photo: Rosalie O'Connor | Ajkun Ballet

A close-up photograph taken from a viewer’s perspective in a well-lit ballet dressing room. Centered are two peach-colored pointe shoes with pink satin ribbons tied and draped, standing on the toe boxes on a white counter. The shoes show minor wear and tear, indicating authentic use by a dancer. They are reflected in a large mirror behind them, creating a depth of field effect. To the left, a blue makeup pouch and a round cosmetics bag featuring illustrations of ballet dancers are visible, along with a makeup brush and personal items. The warm, diffused lighting highlights the texture of the satin and the lived-in details of the shoes, capturing the unique behind-the-scenes reality of Ajkun Ballet Theatre’s dancers for their upcoming NYC season.

Ready for the Stage: A Dancer's Essential Gear

Tools of the Trade, Touched by Magic: Go behind the scenes of the Ajkun Ballet Theatre as dancers prepare for the highly anticipated NYC premiere of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Captured in the dressing room mirror, this pair of peach satin pointe shoes, gently worn and tied with ribbons, rests alongside personal cosmetics. This original production premieres in New York City this April 2026, offering audiences a rare, intimate look into the dancer's creative process and physical dedication.

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Photo: Rosalie O'Connor | Ajkun Ballet

A dynamic full-body photograph of two ballet dancers, an African American man in a black vest and white shirt and an Asian woman in a black top and cream ruffled skirt, leaping high in the air on a Manhattan street sidewalk. The man, in mid-jump, is raising his hand and looking towards the sky with a focused, almost playful expression. They are both smiling with exhilaration. The woman holds a black leather bag and is looking directly at the man, a perfect blend of modern energy and classical technique. The gritty, textured New York street background includes exposed green fire escapes and graffiti-covered doors, with other pedestrians blurred in the distance. The overall image captures a spirit of innovation and modern style, defining the unique brand identity of the Ajkun Ballet Theatre for their NYC season.

Ballet that Captures the Energy of NYC 

Breaking from the predictable silhouettes of traditional companies, Ajkun Ballet Theatre brings a muscular, modern edge to the New York stage. This is ballet for the current century: original, innovative, and deeply rooted in the urban character of the city. Eschewing tired stagings for the "Original Art" of Chiara Ajkun, the company provides a high-voltage performance experience that captures the true, restless spirit of New York City.

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Photo: Rachel Neville | Ajkun Ballet

STORY IDEAS FOR JOURNALISTS

Ballet Without the Dust: How Chiara Ajkun is Stripping the Museum Mentality from Classical Dance.

An exploration of the visionary Ajkun methodology that preserves the technical rigor of ballet while discarding the archaic formalities that often alienate modern audiences.

The Global Vanguard in Midtown: Why International Virtuosos are Choosing Contemporary Artistic Realities Over Legacy Institutions.

A look at the professional shift in the dance world, focusing on why top-tier international artists are gravitating toward The Company’s forward-thinking environment and the leadership of Chiara Ajkun.

The Death of the Fourth Wall: How Intimate ‘Face to Face’ Performances are Redefining the Audience’s Emotional Connection to Professional Ballet.

A trend piece on the rise of immersive, high-stakes performances in Manhattan that trade the distance of grand theaters for a visceral, athletic encounter with the art form.

Untold Stories

Ajkun Ballet Company

The Ajkun Ballet Company is the premier professional performing wing of the Ajkun Ballet Theatre, established as a pillar of international artistic excellence. Under the forward-thinking leadership of Artistic Director Chiara Ajkun, The Company is dedicated to reinventing the classical landscape—meticulously stripping away the art form’s historical "dust" while honoring its foundational traditions.

Celebrated as a prominent international reality, The Company’s repertoire is defined by a sophisticated blend of technical virtuosity and profound dramatic gravitas. By championing a visionary approach that balances the rigors of the past with a bold, contemporary energy, the Ajkun Ballet Company delivers professional performances that are both visceral and transformative. Comprised of world-class artists, The Company remains at the vanguard of the performing arts, ensuring the vitality and relevance of ballet for a modern global audience.

Contact AjkunBT

Email: ajkun@aol.com

Phone: (347) 346-9951 ​​

Ajkun Ballet Theatre

129 W 56th Street,

New York, NY 10019

Between 6th and 7th Avenue, in the heart of Midtown Manhattan​

Ajkun Ballet Theatre is headquartered in Midtown Manhattan, home to our company, school, and artistic development. Its professional performing wing, Ajkun Ballet Company, performs in Midtown Manhattan and on Manhattan's Upper East Side.

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©2026 by Annachiara Maffezzoli, annachiaramaff.com

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