Chutes and Ladders is a ballet choreographed by Justin Peck, with music by Benjamin Britten's String Quartet No. 1. The piece is a dynamic pas de deux for two dancers that was created for the Miami City Ballet and debuted in 2013. The choreography captures an intense, ever-shifting relationship between the dancers, mirroring the music's "hypnotic and dynamic" quality. Choreography and music
Choreographer: Justin Peck, who was a soloist with the New York City Ballet and has since become a prolific choreographer.
Music: Benjamin Britten's String Quartet No. 1 in D Major.
Style: A "hypnotic and dynamic duet" that pairs intricate patterns with raw emotional intensity. Peck's choreography focuses on the interplay between the two dancers, creating a sense of a constant push and pull, and aims to expose the details of the music through movement.
Intimacy: The piece was originally created in collaboration with the New World Symphony, with the musicians seated upstage from the dancers to create an intimate "force field".
Duration: The ballet is approximately 9.5 minutes long and features nearly constant movement.
Performance history
Premiere: The work premiered in 2013 for the Miami City Ballet.
Adaptation: It was originally performed at the New World Symphony and has since been adapted for proscenium stages.
Recent performances: The piece was featured in Miami City Ballet's "PECK // Miami In Motion" program in October 2025 as part of their 40th-anniversary season. The Miami City Ballet staff includes Artistic Director Gonzalo Garcia and other key members like Executive Director Juan José Escalante and Music Director & Principal Conductor Gary Sheldon. Other artistic and administrative staff include General Manager John Hall, Principal Rehearsal Director Roma Sosenko, and the Human Resources Director, Lina Aguirre. The organization also has a large faculty for its school and an orchestra. The ballet Chutes and Ladders is a 2013 duet choreographed by Justin Peck for