Cynthia Erivo to Be Honored at American Ballet Theatre’s 2026 Fall Gala

Cynthia Erivo, a multiple award-winning artist, will be celebrated at American Ballet Theatre’s 2026 Fall Gala on Thursday, Oct. 29 at the David H. Koch Theater in New York City. The Grammy, Daytime Emmy and Tony Award winner has garnered widespread acclaim for her performances, notably her portrayal of Elphaba in the Wicked films.

In 2025, she secured a Grammy for the hit song "Defying Gravity" from the first Wicked film. This year, Erivo has earned two Emmy nominations: one for outstanding variety special (live) as producer/host of the 2025 Tony Awards and another for outstanding variety special (pre-recorded) as principal performer/host of Wicked: One Wonderful Night.

Susan Jaffe, the artistic director of American Ballet Theatre, praised Erivo's remarkable talent and versatility, stating, "Few artists possess Cynthia Erivo’s extraordinary ability to transform themselves through performance." Her connection to the company began during the pandemic with her performance in the first digital gala, "American Ballet Theatre Together Tonight."

The 2026 Fall Gala, themed "Angels and Demons," will showcase excerpts from various ballets and performances of notable pieces. The gala, American Ballet Theatre’s premier annual fundraising event, will be chaired by Sloan Lindemann Barnett and Violet Barnett, along with Emily Blavatnik, Laila Blavatnik, Julia Koch, and Mary Julia Koch.