Ballet Outing: The Delightfully Zany World of Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo
About the event
Our Little Symphony program continues this year with exceptional live performances that introduce children and teens to music and the performing arts, bringing them together for memorable cultural experiences!
On Sunday, February 28, 2027, at 2:15 p.m., join EFBA for a performance by Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, a company that brings extraordinary skill and irresistible humor to classical ballet.
Onstage, dancers take on both male and female roles, playfully turning ballet traditions upside down with exaggerated expressions, unexpected twists, and expertly choreographed mishaps. Tutus, pointe shoes, and dazzling technique share the spotlight with laugh-out-loud comedy. Behind every gag is a remarkable mastery of dance!
🎁 The experience begins a week earlier with a complimentary interactive online workshop on Sunday, February 21, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time. Participants will explore ballet’s history and traditions in preparation for the performance. Attendance is recommended but optional, and a recording will be available for those who cannot join live.
Learning Objectives
This activity combines educational value with a relaxed, fun, and friendly atmosphere. Participants will:
- Discover the origins and key traditions of classical ballet.
- Explore the story behind the company’s name and its connection to the Ballets Russes de Monte Carlo.
- Learn how the Trocks combine technical brilliance, theatrical flair, and humor to put their own spin on ballet classics.
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Culture Spotlight Who Are Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo?
From Monte Carlo? Not quite. On pointe? Absolutely! Founded in New York in 1974, Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo have been pairing classical virtuosity with a mischievous sense of humor from the very beginning. Their name, a nod to the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, sets the tone: these dancers know their classics and love to shake them up. In this all-male company, dancers portray both princes and ballerinas, complete with tutus and pointe shoes. Their repertoire draws on beloved classics such as The Dying Swan, Giselle, and Don Quixote, performed with remarkable precision and impeccable comic timing. Exaggerated glances, diva rivalries, and perfectly staged blunders send up ballet’s polished perfection. But don’t let the apparent chaos fool you: getting it “wrong” this gracefully takes serious skill! Every joke rests on demanding technique, finely honed acting, and a deep love of dance. Known affectionately as the “Trocks,” the company delights ballet lovers and newcomers alike on stages around the world. Their performances offer a joyful introduction to ballet—and prove that you can take your art seriously without taking yourself too seriously. |
Date and Time of the event: Sunday, February 28, 2027 at 2:15 p.m. The performance is expected to end around 5:00 p.m.
Where: 101 Zellerbach Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720
Event Schedule:
- 2:15–2:30 p.m.: Arrival and check-in outside Zellerbach Hall.
- 3:00–5:00 p.m.: Performance.
- 5:00–5:30 p.m.: Pickup outside Zellerbach Hall. The exact pickup time will be confirmed with the EFBA chaperone.
| 🎁 Bonus Online Workshop 🎁
As a special bonus, all outing participants will automatically be registered for an interactive online introduction to ballet’s history and key traditions.
🗓 Date: Sunday, February 21, 2027, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time
Can’t join live? A recording will be shared afterward with participants who cannot attend. |
Who Can Participate? Children and teens ages 6–14. Children of all French proficiency levels are welcome to attend the performance! However, the preparatory online workshop requires a French-speaking level or a minimum of FSL3.
Not sure whether the workshop is a good fit for your child’s French level? Please email admissions@efba.us before registering.
What should participants bring?
- Comfortable shoes
- …that’s it!
Prices & registration:
- EFBA students: $99
- General admission: $109
➡ The fee includes admission to the performance and the preparatory online workshop.
