PHOTOS: Inside American Ballet Theatre’s Glittering Spring Gala

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PHOTOS: Inside American Ballet Theatre’s Glittering Spring Gala

Julie Halston and Katie Holmes. Getty Images of American Ballet

On a hot Wednesday evening in May, stars, philanthropists and dancers with enviable postures sparkled on the red carpet at Cipriani 42nd Street. Event: Honoring ABT’s 2026 Spring Gala Katie Holmes“His true passion for art and strong support for our mission make him a well-deserved honor,” said the company director. Susan Jaffe. Holmes, accompanied by her mother, was decked out in a white Ashlynn Park peplum dress with a flared ankle-length skirt—structured but flattering.

Notable guests are included Katie Couric, Michael Imperioli, Constance Wu, Zac Posen, Iris Apatow, Sai De Silva again Nate Berkusamong others. Caroline Kennedy served as the evening’s Honorary Chair, continuing his family’s longtime support of ABT, which holds its annual spring conference to support the company’s operations, educational programs and community initiatives.

For many in attendance that night, the ballet is surprising—it feels deeply personal. “Ballet is like a sculpture,” Imperioli told the Observer. “When I look at it, it shows itself that way.” Wu called ballet “one of the most beautiful art forms,” adding, “I love the discipline, the art, the beauty, the athleticism, the music, the sensitivity. It’s just beautiful.” For Posen, art is almost fundamental. “I think it’s as important as eating, sleeping and making love. I think it’s part of humanity,” he told the Observer.

Guests in brightly colored dresses and well-cut tuxedos gathered under neo-Renaissance arches, clinking glasses of champagne while eagerly awaiting what Jaffe jokingly called the “Reader’s Digest version” of a new production of Don Quixote, again solo. Susan Jones. A perennial audience favorite first premiered in 1869, the ballet is known for its high energy, technical brilliance and Ludwig Minkus’s awakening effects.

After cocktails, attendees were ushered to tables decorated with tall orange and gold flowers with a first course of cucumber, avocado, corn and cherry salad accompanied by Kalamata olives and Cipriani breadsticks. As the joint balletomanes eat, actor Alex Hurt took the stage to present Holmes with his award. “For Katie, dance is more than just movement—it’s joy, expression, beauty, connection. It’s a way to say something that words can’t,” said Hurt, before praising Holmes for her support of the arts and ABT, adding, “She warms rooms, makes work better, makes people brave.

Holmes accepted his award graciously, telling the audience that he was “surprised by ballet… Ballet itself has informed, healed and entertained so many generations that have come before us. And I’m always in awe of what feels like an offering, an act that invites human connection, an acceptance into the world of ballet poetry.”

American Ballet Theater dancers take a bow. Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for American Ballet

The dancers then took to the stage in bright colors, performing selections from Don Quixote. Inspired by Miguel de CervantesA classic tale, the ballet follows an idealistic knight and his loyal squire as they fight for young lovers Kitri and Basilio. A principal dancer Skylar Brandt resplendent as Kitri, leaping on stage in a tangerine lace dress. “Acting the role of Kitri has been a dream of mine since I was little,” she told the Observer. “Don Quixote is one of those very playful ballets. I always thought it would be so much fun to dance. As my teacher told me, Kitri must burn more than a thousand suns. I hope the audience can feel her radiant joy.” We can confirm, they certainly could.

After much applause, the Chilean sea bass with lemon and capers arrived at the tables, followed by a variety of small cakes including Napoleons, zabaglione cake and tiramisu. In addition to dessert, associate art director Clinton Luckett he thought about the deep meaning of Don Quixote: “The main question of the ballet is love or money. Kitri’s father wants her to marry the rich man Gamache, but she is in love with the poor barber Basilio. Don Quixote is the purpose for Kitri and Basilio to marry and realize their love.”

“In ballet,” he added, “the answer is love.”