The spring performance season is moving full steam ahead with literary-inspired ballets, a queer reimagining of Carmen, and premieres drawing from everything from the upcoming solar eclipse to contemporary American politics. Here’s what’s grabbing our attention.

Electric performances, thought-provoking choreography, buzzy bodies of work—the artists on our annual list of dancers, choreographers, directors, and companies poised for a breakout share an uncanny knack for arresting attention. They’ve been turning heads while turning what’s expected—in a performance, from a career trajectory—on its head. We’re betting we’ll be seeing a lot more of them this year, and for many years to come.

The summer performance season is already kicking into high gear with works that take a look back, a pop musical’s long-awaited Broadway opening, an intriguing collision of big-name collaborators, and more.

From major Broadway transfers to a jazzy anniversary extravaganza (and much more in between), March’s performance calendar is chock-full of excitement. Here’s what we’re making time in our schedules to see.

What if trading a larger, more dance-saturated city like New York or Los Angeles in favor of a smaller one allowed you access to better funding, more choreographic opportunities and quicker name recognition—not to mention a lower cost of living?