For his first work created for Royal Winnipeg Ballet—and his first narrative ballet—Houston Thomas reimagines Stravinsky’s iconic Firebird as a dark, surreal journey through power, ambition, and control.

Set within the towering headquarters of Kastchei HQ, a powerful corporation driven by ambition, productivity, and control, Firebird reimagines the beloved folktale in a contemporary world where success comes at a cost.

When a young employee named Ivan finds himself working late into the night on an impossible assignment, an unexpected encounter transforms the course of his life. Deep within the glow of the office, he discovers the mysterious Firebird, a rare and extraordinary species believed to be captured only by those with immense wealth and power. But the Firebird is no ordinary creature. She has been held captive by Kastschei, hidden away inside his headquarters, and is desperate to escape.

Before disappearing, she leaves Ivan with a single feather and a promise: should he ever need her, she will return.

As a new day begins, Ivan finds connection and hope in Kat, a young secretary whose kindness offers a glimpse of a life beyond the demands of corporate life. But looming over them is Kastchei, the ruthless leader of Kastchei HQ, whose influence extends far beyond the office walls. As Ivan is drawn deeper into Kastchei's world, he must confront the forces that seek to control not only his future, but the lives of everyone around him.

Blending fantasy, romance, and social satire, Firebird explores the tension between power and freedom, conformity and individuality, and asks what it truly means to break free from the systems that define us. Inspired by the Russian folktale and set to Stravinsky's iconic score, this contemporary reimagining celebrates the enduring power of courage, compassion, and human connection.