Summertime is the perfect season for a ladies’ road trip and these getaways have become somewhat of a tradition for us—a chance to slow down, explore new places, reconnect and share adventures together. For years, I’d known about the Badlands Amphitheatre in Drumheller as the iconic home of the Passion Play, but I hadn’t realized the venue also hosts other performances. When I saw an ad on social media for Ballet in the Badlands featuring Act III of Don Quixote performed by the Alberta Ballet, I knew this would be the perfect ladies’ trip for this summer. So, I made a couple of calls, booked the tickets, and we started planning our adventure around the first ever ballet performance in the heart of Alberta’s Badlands.

Our road trip to the Badlands took us through some memorable stops. We stretched our legs in Meeting Creek, wandered through its rail history and prairie charm, and later visited Wayne, Alberta, known for its rowdy past and the legendary Last Chance Saloon. These small-town detours contributed adventure, discovery and fun to our trip, setting the tone for the experience that awaited us at the outdoor Amphitheatre.

The Draw of Don Quixote

The world renowned Passion Play highlights the story of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. While we visited Drumheller we heard several accounts of how the play draws thousands of visitors from all over the world to the area each weekend in July. I’d long known about the Badlands Passion Play— but was more drawn to the natural Amphitheatre carved into the coulees of Drumheller, as a natural space then to that particular show. I remember studying Man of La Mancha in high school, and the story of Don Quixote has remained a favorite of mine throughout the years. That personal connection is what drew me to this performance. Seeing Act III of Don Quixote performed by Alberta Ballet in the outdoor Amphitheatre felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Don Quixote is one of the most popular ballets in the world—a lively, character-rich story adapted from Cervantes’ classic novel. Even though none of us would call ourselves ballet aficionados, we were drawn to the performance for different reasons. Together, we were curious to see how a modern ballet company would interpret this well-known story, especially in such a striking outdoor venue.

Act III of Don Quixote focuses on the joyful wedding celebration between Kitri and Basilio. It’s full of vibrant, high-energy performances, dramatic duets, and moments of funny, theatrical flair. The Badlands Amphitheatre—Canada’s largest outdoor stage—offered the perfect backdrop for it all.

One of the standout moments was a duet where the ballerina wore a stunning red dress—its wide, flowing skirt enveloped the entire stage! The contrast of bold color against the sandstone backdrop made the entire scene breathtaking and incredible to experience.

Settling Into the Experience

The threat of rain showers loomed throughout the day, but somehow, the sky cleared just in time for the performance to start. Ahead of the show, I caught a news interview with one of the dancers who shared how dancing in the Amphitheatre was a once-in-a-lifetime experience—yet also brought unique challenges. Unlike the controlled environment of an indoor stage, the dancers had to adapt to the unpredictability of performing outdoors.

As the sun warmed the coulees, we settled onto wooden benches with assigned seating. I was happy with the choices I had made online for our seats as they were center stage and close to the front row! Surrounding the stage were the towering hills that frame the Amphitheatre like natural walls. Friendly ushers were on hand to guide us, adding a warm, community feel to the experience.

Before the performance began, audience members were free to explore the grounds. We wandered along some of the pathways etched into the hills, these same trails where over 200 actors make their way during the Passion Play performances. Walking those paths added a sense of reverence and anticipation.

During the performance, drinks and snacks were available, and I enjoyed a glass of Merlot as the story unfolded beneath the open sky—a perfect companion to an evening of art and nature.

Mule Deer

As the dancers moved across the stage, a female mule deer and her two fawns, still wearing their newborn spots, quietly meandered along the ridge. They grazed and watched from the coulee’s edge as if they, too, were part of the audience.

Their presence added an almost spiritual layer to the performance, especially given that the stage is permanently set for the Passion Play. One of my friends, who sees the deer as her spirit animal, felt that spotting them there was a positive and meaningful sign. Surrounding us were the posts where the crosses are raised, standing stark against the earth, and the cave that represents Christ’s resurrection remained in plain view. Though we were watching Don Quixote—a completely different story—the visual reminders of the Passion Play offered a haunting and beautiful contrast: two stories of belief and persistence unfolding in the same space.

A Partnership Worth Repeating

Ballet in the Badlands was a collaboration between Alberta Ballet and the Badlands Amphitheatre—the first of its kind. During the opening remarks, Alberta Ballet’s Artistic Director Francesco Ventriglia shared how thrilled they were with the success of the collaboration and expressed hope that this would become an annual tradition.

After a memorable evening that brought together nature, art, and community—we hope so too. It’s the kind of experience that lingers long after the final bow, and one we’d happily make the trip for again.

Looking Ahead

Several people have shared with me that the Passion Play is truly spectacular—even those who aren’t religious found it deeply moving and memorable. Hearing this makes me think that attending the Passion Play might be the perfect plan for a future girls’ road trip. After experiencing Ballet in the Badlands, I’m more interested than ever to return to the space and enjoy the other events they host.

Wrapping Up the Evening

After the ballet, we decided to soak up a bit of local history and atmosphere by heading to a nearby pub that had an intriguing past. Once known as The Zoo—a rowdy biker hangout—the venue has since been renovated and rebranded as the Vintage Taphouse. It’s a welcoming spot with pool tables, music, and large-screen TVs for catching your favorite sporting event.

We enjoyed some delicious nachos and great service, settling in to relax after the day’s adventure. The waitress happily reminisced about the “good old Zoo bar days” with one of our road trip ladies, adding a dash of nostalgia and storytelling to our evening. Parking in downtown Drumheller was plentiful and easy, making it a convenient stop to end our memorable day.

Share your Story

Have you visited the Amphitheatre or attended any of these events? I’d love to hear your stories or recommendations—drop a comment below! If you enjoyed this post, please share it with friends or on social media to inspire others to discover this beautiful part of Alberta.

Up Next: Exploring Patricia Park — Hiking Trails, Geocaching Adventures,

Stay tuned for my next post where I dive into the natural beauty of Patricia Park, located along the beautiful Red Deer River in Drumheller, Alberta.

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