Friday, May 15, 2026 at 7:30pm, and Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 2:30pm and 7:30pm.

Boys, girls, and adults of all ages will be moved by this exciting, funny, romantic, and above all magical tale. A young woman discovers, through her own imagination, the inner resources to release her from the restrictions of her world. A young man discovers the courage to defy the restrictions of his world. Our Cinderella keeps the enchantment of the traditional Fairy Tale while transforming it into a story for us all.

Effects that enhance the mystery include brightly painted sets, newly created costumes, a fateful clock, a magnificent carriage, and a huge fireplace. This Cinderella is one of the company’s most elaborate productions in its sixty five year history.

Original choreography by Ann Dunn, director, Marcelo Martinez, Tricia Renshaw, associate director, and Fleming Lomax, ballet mistress, and Allison Hertzberg, youth director, emphasize the musicality, the story, the humor of the step-sisters, and the overall enchantment of this familiar family favorite.

Stars of The Asheville Ballet dance principal roles, featuring Megan Jones Medford in the challenging, diverse part of Cinderella. Marcelo Martinez, dances the athletic Prince Charming.

Megan Jones Medford received a BA in Dance Education from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She spent six years in NYC as a professional dancer and teacher. Along with freelance work Megan was a company member with Periapsis Music & Dance, LiNK! the movement, and Shauna Sorensen and Dancers. Her performances include SummerStage, Jazz at the Lincoln Center, American Dance Guild Festival, Symphony Space, New York Moves, Carnival, and Choreographers Canvas. Megan trained with Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Alonzo King LINES Ballet, Martha Graham School, and American Dance Festival. She was on faculty for the Children & Teen Program at Broadway Dance Center and at All Star Studios in NYC. She has guest taught and choreographed for studios and conventions around the States. Megan and her family moved back to her hometown of Asheville, NC, where she performed with Lindsey Kelley Dance and currently performs with The Asheville Ballet and with Stewart/Owen Dance. She is thrilled to be able to share her love of dance by teaching students throughout the area.

Marcelo Martinez was born in Paraguay where he began his training at the former Academia de danza Bettina Ramos. He then continued his training in Brazil at the Centro de Dança Rio under the instruction of Maria Angelica Fiorani. At age 17 he was accepted into the Companhia Jovem do Teatro Municipal do Rio De Janeiro where he danced under the directions of Dalal Aschar and Mariza Estrella. Mr. Martinez accepted a position with The Washington Ballet where he danced lead roles including Cavalier in The Nutcracker, Stravinsky Violin Concerto by Balanchine, and The Rite of Spring by Trey MacIntyre. From 2007 to 2024, he performed with Carolina Ballet, where he danced many principal roles, captivating audiences for 17 seasons. Mr. Martinez has also appeared as a guest artist with Greensboro Ballet, Susan Farrell Ballet, Arka Ballet, The Raleigh Dance Theater, and The Asheville Ballet.

The Asheville Ballet is the oldest non-profit ballet company in North Carolina, and has produced work annually since the early 1960s.

Following sold-out performances of the Nutcracker, The Asheville Ballet’s Cinderella is THE event of the Spring Season in Western North Carolina. Get tickets soon, while good seats are available.