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In rehearsal with Alice Topp // Houston Ballet // An Evening with the Stars

Performances: May 28, 2026 - June 7, 2026

Houston Ballet will present An Evening With the Stars, a program featuring the world premiere of "Sisu" by Alice Topp.

This is Ms.Topp's first work on the Company. In 2018, she choreographed Lighthouse on Houston Ballet II. Born in Bendigo, Australia, she started dancing at age four and pursued classical ballet training through various schools. Her early career included a stint with the Royal New Zealand Ballet and recovery from a serious injury before joining The Australian Ballet. She later became one of only two female resident choreographers in the company’s history. Her works, such as Aurum and Little Atlas, have received critical acclaim, earning her several prestigious nominations and awards, including the 2019 Helpmann Award for Best Ballet.

📸 Photo 1: Choreographer Alice Topp and Artists of Houston Ballet rehearsing Sisu. Photo by Alana Campbell (2026). Courtesy of Houston Ballet. Photo 2: Houston Ballet Demi Soloist Chae Eun Yang and First Soloist Gian Carlo Perez rehearsing Alice Topp’s Sisu. Photo by Alana Campbell (2026). Courtesy of Houston Ballet.

In rehearsal with Alice Topp // Houston Ballet // An Evening with the Stars

Performances: May 28, 2026 - June 7, 2026

Houston Ballet will present An Evening With the Stars, a program featuring the world premiere of "Sisu" by Alice Topp.

This is Ms.Topp's first work on the Company. In 2018, she choreographed Lighthouse on Houston Ballet II. Born in Bendigo, Australia, she started dancing at age four and pursued classical ballet training through various schools. Her early career included a stint with the Royal New Zealand Ballet and recovery from a serious injury before joining The Australian Ballet. She later became one of only two female resident choreographers in the company’s history. Her works, such as Aurum and Little Atlas, have received critical acclaim, earning her several prestigious nominations and awards, including the 2019 Helpmann Award for Best Ballet.

📸 Photo 1: Choreographer Alice Topp and Artists of Houston Ballet rehearsing Sisu. Photo by Alana Campbell (2026). Courtesy of Houston Ballet. Photo 2: Houston Ballet Demi Soloist Chae Eun Yang and First Soloist Gian Carlo Perez rehearsing Alice Topp’s Sisu. Photo by Alana Campbell (2026). Courtesy of Houston Ballet.

In total awe of the beautiful minds & hearts I get to collaborate with. How lucky am I to spend my days with divine, talented, exquisite artists like these beauties ♥️ @houstonballet @z0bee @saulnewport #houstonballet #sisu #aneveningwiththestars

🔜 @houstonballet 🫶🏼 〰️➰ 📸 @alana.soup 🤍

Magic hour 💛🍃 @timrogersofficial 📸: the incomparable @ivanamartynzyznikow ✨ Threads: 🧵wonderful @wearewnsdy 🤍

♥️ @branden_reiners @anapointeshoes M A C B E T H 💔🩸 @nzballet #rnzb #macbeth #shakespeare Photography by @illojgali 👑

♥️ @branden_reiners @anapointeshoes M A C B E T H 💔🩸 @nzballet #rnzb #macbeth #shakespeare Photography by @illojgali 👑

♥️ @branden_reiners @anapointeshoes M A C B E T H 💔🩸 @nzballet #rnzb #macbeth #shakespeare Photography by @illojgali 👑

💔 @jenniferulloa7 @_jsawtell13 M A C B E T H ♥️ @nzballet #rnzb #macbeth #shakespeare 👑 Photography by @stephen_acourt

💔 @jenniferulloa7 @_jsawtell13 M A C B E T H ♥️ @nzballet #rnzb #macbeth #shakespeare 👑 Photography by @stephen_acourt

Such a privilege & joy to be in a studio with human sunshine @chaechae91 @giancarlo_perez_dancer 💛💫🌻 🌞 • Sisu • An Evening with The Stars @houstonballet #houstonballet

Such a privilege & joy to be in a studio with human sunshine @chaechae91 @giancarlo_perez_dancer 💛💫🌻 🌞 • Sisu • An Evening with The Stars @houstonballet #houstonballet

For any ballet companies hiring, I know a tall, strong, exceptionally good-lookin & talented male dancer available for guest appearances. He’s incredibly versatile, boasts strong port de bras and has phenomenal stage presence. Did I mention his impressive musicality..?! @timrogersofficial ♥️

For any ballet companies hiring, I know a tall, strong, exceptionally good-lookin & talented male dancer available for guest appearances. He’s incredibly versatile, boasts strong port de bras and has phenomenal stage presence. Did I mention his impressive musicality..?! @timrogersofficial ♥️

For any ballet companies hiring, I know a tall, strong, exceptionally good-lookin & talented male dancer available for guest appearances. He’s incredibly versatile, boasts strong port de bras and has phenomenal stage presence. Did I mention his impressive musicality..?! @timrogersofficial ♥️

Moments like these with beautiful, courageous & creative minds, movers & makers that move mountains 🏔️ Macbeth • @nzballet #macbeth #rnzb #royalnewzealandballet

Moments like these with beautiful, courageous & creative minds, movers & makers that move mountains 🏔️ Macbeth • @nzballet #macbeth #rnzb #royalnewzealandballet

Moments like these with beautiful, courageous & creative minds, movers & makers that move mountains 🏔️ Macbeth • @nzballet #macbeth #rnzb #royalnewzealandballet

Moments like these with beautiful, courageous & creative minds, movers & makers that move mountains 🏔️ Macbeth • @nzballet #macbeth #rnzb #royalnewzealandballet

Moments like these with beautiful, courageous & creative minds, movers & makers that move mountains 🏔️ Macbeth • @nzballet #macbeth #rnzb #royalnewzealandballet

Moments like these with beautiful, courageous & creative minds, movers & makers that move mountains 🏔️ Macbeth • @nzballet #macbeth #rnzb #royalnewzealandballet

Moments like these with beautiful, courageous & creative minds, movers & makers that move mountains 🏔️ Macbeth • @nzballet #macbeth #rnzb #royalnewzealandballet

That sun on face feel 💛 Thank you @nicwalker101 for this beautiful moment on home turf 🌿 @janiealbert @theausweekendmag ♥️

"Alice Topp’s choreography was edgy, modern, and deeply emotional as exemplified by the captivating leading couple. ​
Branden Reiner’s Macbeth was strong, passionate and masculine which paired wonderfully with the graceful and stylish Ana Gallardo Lobaina as the confident yet vulnerable Lady Macbeth. When they first come together at home, the lady freshly bathed, the man angry and seeking solace, their dance was romantic, yet with a hint of something darker. As the story progressed their interactions grew less charming and more violent. It was pure genius."​
Andrew Whiteside ​

Don't miss your last chance to see Macbeth in Christchurch from the 18-21 March 🩸🩸🩸​

🩰 Principal Ana Gallardo Lobaina as Lady Macbeth and Soloist Branden Reiners as Macbeth​
🎥 Dan Harris​
🎶 Composed by Christopher Gordon​
🩸 MACBETH in association with Avis. Presented with Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts and Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Arts Festival, Macbeth is a co-production with West Australian Ballet.