Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre (GHDT) will open its 2025-2026 season with the premiere of the full-length ballet, The Casket Girls, at The Tarkington at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts. Performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. Oct. 24 and 5 p.m. Oct. 25.
Inspired by real-life events from 1700s New Orleans, The Casket Girls is a grim, gothic tale that follows the story of young French women sent to the New World in 1729. Hand-picked by the Bishop of Quebec, these women of noble standing arrived with their belongings in wooden, casket-like trunks to help populate the city and bring a sense of propriety to a community of pirates and scoundrels.
The ballet focuses on the story of Catherine and her soon-to-be husband, Jean. On their wedding night, disaster erupts when Catherine’s trousseau is retrieved from the attic and the other caskets are found to be ominously open and empty. A tale of intrigue, passion, and powerful defiance unfolds in this vampire-laden production.
The show features an all-original score by composer Cory Gabel, commissioned specifically for GHDT. The music is available on Spotify and most streaming services. Gabel will join Gregory Hancock for a pre-performance discussion about their collaboration and unique working relationship, which is open to the public.
The Casket Girls also welcomes guest artist Cody Miley, formerly of Dance Kaleidoscope. Known for his powerful performances, Miley will join the world-class company on stage.
Tickets are $60 for adults and $30 for students and be purchased at TheCenterPresents.org.