A forbidden love story between a Greek immigrant and a Turkish noblewoman in Ottoman-era Istanbul — the creators seek support to bring this production to the Wilshire Ebell Theater in Los Angeles, CA.
Santa Barbara, CA – May 2025
After a triumphant, sold-out production at the Arlington Theater in Santa Barbara in March 2024 — complete with a standing ovation and glowing reviews — Seraglio is headed to the Wilshire Ebell Theater in Los Angeles in October 2025. But to bring this magnificent production to one of LA’s most iconic stages, the creators need generous financial backing.
Set in Ottoman-era Istanbul, Seraglio tells a poignant story not unlike Romeo and Juliet or West Side Story, where love crosses cultural boundaries. The ballet follows Minos, a Greek immigrant who falls in love with Yasmin, a Turkish noblewoman. In a society where Greek men were forbidden to associate with Turkish women, and relationships between them were considered taboo, their love defies cultural, societal, and familial divides. Minos’ struggle to navigate his Greek heritage while fighting for love amidst overwhelming social pressure drives this powerful tale. The barriers they face are not just personal but are steeped in deep historical and cultural tensions that resonate with audiences today.
Performed entirely in traditional Greek and Turkish dance, this three-act folkloric ballet, featuring more than 40 professional dancers and actors, shifts away from classical European ballet forms to embrace the rich cultural dance traditions of Greece and Turkey.
Seraglio’s success in Santa Barbara demonstrated the deep emotional resonance audiences feel for these powerful cultural narratives, proving that themes of forbidden love, societal division, and cultural identity are as relevant today as ever.
“We created this ballet to honor the dance traditions of Greece and the Mediterranean while telling the story of a Greek immigrant whose love was deemed impossible by the society he lived in,” says Seraglio creator and producer Alexandra King. “The 2024 production showed us how these cultural struggles, though rooted in history, continue to connect us on a deeply human level. As we prepare to bring Seraglio to Los Angeles, we need support to make this vision a reality. Every donation, no matter the size, will help bring this universal story of love, sacrifice, and cultural defiance to life for a new generation.”
With a cast of 40 dancers and actors, rich sets, vibrant costumes, and a powerful musical score, Seraglio is ready to captivate Los Angeles audiences. But to bring this grand production to the Wilshire Ebell Theater, the production requires critical financial support. All donations are tax- deductible and will directly support artist fees, production costs, and theater rental.
Help bring Seraglio to life at the Wilshire Ebell Theater. To donate, visit: www.seraglioballet.com/donate
About Alexandra King
Alexandra King is a renowned dancer and choreographer in Greek and Middle Eastern dance traditions. Based in Santa Barbara, California, she co-founder of the UCSB Middle East Ensemble with Dr. Scott Marcus, and has taught and performed internationally, blending her cultural knowledge with decades of dance-theater experience. From 2000 to 2004, she served as a lecturer in the UCSB Department of Dramatic Arts and Dance, specializing in dances of Greece and the Middle East. Today, she continues to write, produce, and direct productions that challenge, inspire, and connect.
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