As part of the leadup to our 150th season in 28/29, UMS is commissioning several new works across artistic disciplines. The first of these features a new, full-length dance collaboration with New York City Ballet principal dancer Sara Mearns and co-choreographers and dancers Bobbi Jene Smith and Or Schraiber, whose Obsidian was performed by Ballet BC last season.

This new piece, titled The Rose Sonata, was developed on the U-M campus in June 2026. Featuring two pianists and six dancers, the new work receives its world premiere at the Power Center in October. Smith and Schraiber started their careers as dancers with the Batsheva Dance Company and now return as world-renowned creators whose choreography has been commissioned by The Paris Opera Ballet, Royal Danish Ballet, National Ballet of Canada, and Martha Graham Dance Company, to name just a few.

Their collaborative approach to dance theater results in a stunning new ensemble work that features New York City Ballet principal dancer Sara Mearns. Mearns began studying dance at age 13 in South Carolina and entered the School of American Ballet, the official school of New York City Ballet, in 2001. She has been a principal dancer with the company since 2008.