Opening Night
Friday Jul 31, 2026 7:00 pm
EVENT DETAILS
CONVERSATIONS ON DANCE WITH UNITY PHELAN & CALVIN ROYAL III
Conversations on Dance hosts Rebecca King Ferraro and Michael Sean Breeden welcome two of the Festival’s most beloved artists for a long-anticipated live podcast recording: Calvin Royal III, Principal Dancer with American Ballet Theatre, and Unity Phelan, Principal Dancer with New York City Ballet.
Royal and Phelan—widely regarded as one of the most iconic duos to emerge from the Vail Dance Festival—will reflect on their enduring partnership, born at Vail and nurtured through countless collaborations across stages and companies.
This conversation will explore the artistic trust, chemistry, and shared vision that have made them audience favorites. Audience Q&A to follow.
A limited number of tickets are sold to each LIVE recording of Conversations on Dance during the Vail Dance Festival. The episodes are released at a later date and listeners can enjoy them through any podcast app or listen online at conversationsondancepod.com.
Learn more about the Lululemon Move and Be Moved challenge here!
Generously Underwritten by the Town of Vail.
Connect with Conversations on Dance!
Conversationsondancepod.com
@conversationsondance on social media
*SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
Photo credit: Unity Phelan and Calvin Royal III in rehearsal for AGON Pas de Deux (1957) by George Balanchine on the UpClose | Mr. B: George Balanchine’s 20th Century program of the 2023 Vail Dance Festival. Choreography by George Balanchine © The George Balanchine Trust. Photo by Christopher Duggan.
Ticketing
VAIL MOUNTAIN SCHOOL THEATRE | 10:30AM – 11:30AM
**Online ticket sales close at 8:00pm the night before the event. Tickets will be available for sale at the event.
MORE TICKETING INFORMATION:
- Ticket prices are subject to change.
- Price of tickets does not include service fees.
Questions? Contact the Box Office at [email protected] or call 970.845.TIXS(8497)
There will be free shuttles departing from Manor Vail for Conversations on Dance that take place at Vail Mountain School. Shuttles will loop to and from Vail Mountain School 30 minutes prior to the start of Conversations on Dance and return shuttles will loop 30 minutes after.
Meet the Performers
Unity Phelan
Unity Phelan was born in Princeton, New Jersey where she studied at the Princeton Ballet School. After attending summer courses at the School of American Ballet, Phelan was invited to attend the school full time and remained at the school...
Calvin Royal III
Calvin Royal III is an acclaimed internationally recognized Principal Dancer with American Ballet Theatre. After starting ballet at age 14, he gained recognition as a finalist in the Youth America Grand Prix in New York City, which led to a scholarship...
Community Arts Access
To learn more about attending a performance through our Community Arts Access program or providing support to eliminate socioeconomic barriers to the arts, please contact Martha Brassel ([email protected])