Richmond Ballet will launch its 2025-26 season next month with “Piensa en Mí” (“Think of Me”), a new work by artistic director Ma Cong inspired by the life and art of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo. 

The ballet will debut during “Moving Art One: Passion & Power,” which runs Sept. 11- 21 at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. The program will also feature the Virginia premiere of “Wild Sweet Love” by choreographer Trey McIntyre, known for his playful, pop-infused approach to dance. 

Ma described “Piensa en Mí” as a tribute to Kahlo’s “passion, resilience and unflinching self-expression.” The piece coincides with the museum’s exhibition “Frida: Beyond the Myth,” which closes Sept. 28. 

This marks the first new ballet Ma has created specifically for the company’s “Moving Art” series at VMFA since becoming artistic director in 2024. Richmond Ballet will present McIntyre’s work for the first time in the company’s history. 

Tickets for “Moving Art One” and the full season are available at etix.com or through the Richmond Ballet box office at (804) 344-0906, ext. 224. 

The season will continue with “Moving Art Two: Director’s Choice” in October, “The Nutcracker” in December, “Giselle” in February, “Moving Art Three: New Works” in March and “Moving Art Four: Legends” in May.