Frida, by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, paints a powerful portrait of the life, art, and enduring legacy of one of the most influential artists of the twentieth century, Frida Kahlo. The emotional, passionate, and introspective world of the celebrated Mexican artist is vividly brought to life through stunning choreography, while her dreams are reimagined with a rich tapestry of paintings, motifs, and self-portraits. Don’t miss this breathtaking and vibrant tribute to an iconic artist, by the creative team who brought Coco Chanel: The Life of a Fashion Icon to the Atlanta stage.

Frida is a powerful, visually striking ballet by choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa that explores the life, art, and emotional landscape of renowned Mexican painter Frida Kahlo. Rather than presenting a straightforward biography, the work offers a poetic, symbolic interpretation of Kahlo’s inner world, capturing the essence of her creativity, resilience, and complex identity.

The ballet delves deeply into the pivotal events that shaped Frida’s life: her traumatic bus accident, the chronic pain that followed, her passionate yet turbulent marriage to Diego Rivera, and her continuous struggle between physical suffering and artistic expression. Lopez Ochoa portrays these themes through a blend of classical and contemporary movement, crafting choreography that is bold, expressive, and richly textured—mirroring the intensity of Kahlo’s paintings.

One of the central ideas of the ballet is the concept of duality, a recurring theme in Frida’s artwork. Onstage, this duality takes form in contrasting movement qualities, shifting moods, and symbolic imagery. Dancers often embody different facets of Frida’s personality—strength, vulnerability, passion, humor—creating a multifaceted portrait of the artist. Scenes inspired by her surreal self-portraits come to life with vivid costumes, imaginative props, and dreamlike staging that blurs the boundary between reality and the world of her imagination.

Nature plays an important symbolic role, just as it does in Kahlo’s paintings. Elements such as flowers, animals, and lush, folkloric motifs appear throughout the production, connecting Frida’s personal story with the broader cultural landscape of Mexico. The visual design is vibrant and theatrical, incorporating bold colors, traditional elements, and surreal transformations that reflect the painter’s unmistakable style.

The score—which varies depending on the production—supports the ballet’s emotional arc with music that ranges from lyrical and contemplative to fiery and rhythmic, echoing the contrasting forces in Kahlo’s life. Combined with expressive lighting and inventive stagecraft, the ballet creates an immersive environment that captures both the pain and the transcendence that defined Frida’s journey.

Ultimately, Frida is a celebration of an artist who turned suffering into beauty and transformed personal trauma into universal expression. Lopez Ochoa’s ballet honors Kahlo not only as a cultural icon but as a woman of extraordinary resilience, imagination, and emotional depth. The work invites audiences to witness Frida’s world from the inside—to feel her struggles, her creativity, and her unbreakable spirit.

Frida by choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa was inspired by the life story of Frida Kahlo. One of the most intriguing artists of the twentieth century, the Mexican-born Kahlo refused to bow to misfortune, zealously fought taboos and championed women's rights, and painted portraits that became famous the world over.