Beyond the Curtain: An Evening with Gonzalo Galguera

On September 23, 2026, Ballet Pensacola welcomed guests to The Establishment for our first Artist’s Talk, an evening devoted to the ideas and artistry behind the world premiere of Frankenstein. With guest choreographer Gonzalo Galguera at the center of the conversation, we had the opportunity to pause before opening night and consider how a story becomes a ballet.

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein has endured because its questions remain deeply human. What do we owe to those we bring into the world? What happens when fear overcomes compassion? What does it mean to be seen, or to be rejected? Onstage, those questions must find expression through movement, music, and the relationships between dancers. Our Artist’s Talk invited guests to look more closely at that creative undertaking and at the vision Galguera brings to Ballet Pensacola’s Professional Company.

There is something special about encountering an artist before encountering the finished work. A performance can move us without explanation, but a conversation opens another path into it. It draws attention to the decisions made in rehearsal, the trust required between choreographer and dancer, and the many ways an established story can be seen anew. We hope the evening gave our guests a richer sense of anticipation for Frankenstein and a deeper connection to the artists bringing it to life.

This inaugural Artist’s Talk also marked a meaningful step in how Ballet Pensacola shares its work with the community. We want audiences to feel welcome in the life of the organization beyond the performance itself: to meet the people who create the work, engage with their ideas, and experience the anticipation that builds as a production takes shape. The conversation at The Establishment offered a beginning for that kind of exchange.

We extend our sincere gratitude to Tyler and Katia Barrett for sponsoring the evening, to The Establishment for hosting us, and to everyone who joined us. Your presence made our first Artist’s Talk a memorable occasion and helped set the stage for the season ahead.

Galguera’s Frankenstein receives its world premiere October 2–4 at the Clark Family Cultural Center. We look forward to welcoming you into the theater, where the conversation will continue through the artistry of our dancers.