The ballet, choreographed by Yong Yao and Dennis Nahat, the company's artistic director, explores the legends of ancient China, from the creation of the universe and the zodiac through the birth of civilization, as well as some of the country's great inventions, including gunpowder, paper, and printing.
The score, by Phil Young, mixes Western and traditional Chinese music; the costumes and scenery were created by Chinese designer Ching Shyu.
Middle Kingdom is performed in collaboration with the Chinese Performing Artists of America.
Ballet San Jose Silicon Valley began as a dual-city partnership with Cleveland Ballet, which Nahat founded, in 1985. The company moved permanently to San Jose in 2000.