The Young Friends of Philadelphia Ballet is a dynamic group of professionals, between the ages of 21 and 45, who are passionate about classical and contemporary ballet.

Follow the Young Friends on Instagram at @philadelphiaballetyoungfriends to get the latest updates on Young Friends events!

3 Ways to Join!

Membership

Become a Young Friend and get access to events and behind-the-scenes opportunities by making a gift of $50 or more with the Young Friend option selected in our online giving portal, or via check with “Young Friend” in the memo line. Benefits of being a Young Friend include:

  • Pre-show and intermission access to the Supporter Lounge in the Academy of Music ballroom for complimentary wine and light bites – join us at Young Friends Night performances or any other performance!
  • Invitation to special events and behind-the-scenes opportunities including backstage tours, select donor events, and opportunities to meet dancers
  • Access to discounted tickets for special events such as the Opening Weekend Gala, Brunch at the Barre, and the Spring Festival at Red Rose Farm

Curtain Pass

A complimentary Young Friends membership is included with a Curtain Pass subscription, priced at $200. Young Friends benefits with Curtain Pass include:

  • All benefits of basic Young Friends membership
  • Access to 4 discounted add-on tickets at $35 each per production using promo code CURTAINPASS26 (excludes box seats). Please allow a processing period of 24 hours after purchasing your Curtain Pass before purchasing your add-on tickets.
  • Discounted tickets to George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker® as a subscription add-on, available beginning April 8
  • Curtain Pass ticket assistance service – for help with any issue related to your Curtain Pass, email Emily White, Gifts Officer, at [email protected]

Young Leaders

Take your Young Friends membership to the next level by joining the Young Leaders with annual support of $1200. When making your Young Leaders gift, be sure to check the Young Friend option or write Young Leader in the memo of your check. For monthly and quarterly giving options, please email [email protected] to set up your plan! Benefits of being a Young Leader include:

  • All benefits of basic Young Friends membership
  • Two (2) complimentary tickets to any Philadelphia Ballet performance, available one week in advance
  • Access to Leadership Barre Society donor benefits, including:
    • Invitations to select open dress rehearsals, technical rehearsals, and donor appreciation dinners – 2025/26 event dates include:
      • October 9 – 1:00 PM – Carmen and Boléro dress rehearsal
      • October 15 – 5:30 PM – Evening of Horror technical rehearsal and cocktail reception
      • March 5 – 1:00 PM – The Merry Widow dress rehearsal
      • March 6 – 5:00 PM – The Merry Widow Donor Appreciation Dinner
      • April 30 – 5:00 PM – Romeo and Juliet Donor Appreciation Dinner
    • VIP concierge ticket services (contact Emily White for more details)
    • Advance notice of casting for all productions
    • Invitation to view company rehearsals at the studio (weekday afternoons; select dates throughout the season)


We encourage all Young Friends and Young Leaders to secure their tickets for Young Friends Nights for an opportunity to mingle with peers in the Supporter Lounge. The 2025/26 season’s Young Friends Nights are:
  • Friday, October 10 – 7:30 PM – Carmen and Boléro
  • Thursday, October 16 – 7:30 PM – Evening of Horror, with Girls Like Horror
  • Saturday, December 6 – 7:00 PM – George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker®
  • Saturday, March 7 – 7:30 PM – The Merry Widow
  • Saturday, May 2 – 7:30 PM – Romeo and Juliet

Please contact Emily White at [email protected] with any questions.


The Young Friends Committee

The Young Friends of Philadelphia Ballet are led by the Young Friends Committee, a group of deeply involved young professionals who donate their time and talents to plan and execute Young Friends efforts and events. For more information about how to apply to the Young Friends Committee, please contact Emily White at [email protected].
Danielle Bourgeon, Co-Chair
Jeanne Michele Mariani, Co-Chair
Brittany Bonetti
Natalie Brennan
Erin Colgan
Lucinda Marie Degerlund
Raven Frankel
Danielle Hankin
Drew Kmetz
Robert Marsch
Jasmine Moore
Erika Morgan
Nika Nassif
Caitlin Naylor
Rachel Schneer
Talia Tomarchio

2025/26 Young Friends Season Calendar

 

September

Thursday
September 11
Young Friends Reception with Philly Has HeART at Bridgette Mayer Gallery, 6-8 PM – featuring artist talk and gallery tour of “Flight” by Allen Bentley
Wednesday
September 17
Evening of Horror Zoom Panel
Wednesday
September 24

Young Friends Season Kickoff with Opera Philadelphia, Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, and Philadelphia Orchestra at Curtain Call on Kimmel Center Plaza, 5:30-7:30 PM.

October

Friday
October 10
Carmen and Boléro Young Friends Night
Saturday
October 11
Opening Weekend Gala –Young Friends receive ticket discount: 2025 Opening Weekend Gala | Philadelphia Ballet
Thursday
October 16
Evening of Horror Young Friends Night with Girls Like Horror
Friday
October 24
Young Friends Hard Hat Tour – see the building expansion in progress!

November

Sunday
November 9
Brunch at the Barre – Young Friends tickets available September 30

December

Saturday
December 6
George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker® Young Friends Night
Sunday
December 7
Nutcracker Alumni Event – for past performers in any Philadelphia Ballet or Pennsylvania Ballet production of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker®
Sunday
December 14
Daddy & Me Performance of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker®

January

Saturday
January 31
De Cerca performance at Esperanza Arts Center, 3-4 PM

February

Thursday
February 5
Moore College Costume Event honoring Youssef Hotait at Moore College of Art and Design, 5-7 PM
Saturday
February 7
Philadelphia Ballet Performs at Philadelphia Museum of Art

March

Wednesday
March 4
Young Friends Backstage Tour of The Merry Widow
Friday
March 6
Young Leaders invited to The Merry Widow Donor Appreciation Dinner at the Acorn Club, 5-7:30 PM prior to 7:30 PM performance
Saturday
March 7
The Merry Widow Young Friends Night

April

Thursday
April 30
Young Leaders invited to Romeo and Juliet Donor Appreciation Dinner at the Acorn Club, 5-7:30 PM prior to 7:30 PM performance

May

Saturday
May 2
Romeo and Juliet Young Friends Night
Thursday
May 28-Sunday, May 31
7th Annual Spring Festival at Red Rose Farm – Young Friends receive ticket discount for VIP dinner event on May 28

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