Kansas City Ballet facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kansas City Ballet |
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| General information | |
| Name | Kansas City Ballet |
| Year founded | 1957 |
| Principal venue | Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts Kansas City, Missouri |
| Artistic staff | |
| Artistic Director | Devon Carney |
| Other | |
| Official school | Kansas City Ballet School |
| Formation | Ensemble/unranked |
The Kansas City Ballet (KCB) is a professional ballet company located in Kansas City, Missouri. It was started in 1957 by Tatiana Dokoudovska, who was from Russia. The KCB puts on five big shows every year, including their popular annual performance of The Nutcracker.
The KCB, its school, and its team all work and practice at the Todd Bolender Center for Dance and Creativity. This building has seven studios and offices, and it opened in August 2011. The company performs at the nearby Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, which opened in September 2011. The KCB is the main ballet company that performs there.
Contents
History of the Kansas City Ballet
Early Years: 1957–1981
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In 1957, Tatiana Dokoudovska started the Kansas City Ballet (KCB) in Overland Park, Kansas. Their first show was on April 30, 1957, at the Victoria Theater, which is now called the Lyric Theatre. Dokoudovska was the first artistic director.
The first show included two ballets: Les Sylphides by Michel Fokine and Ruse d’Amour, which Dokoudovska adapted from Fokine's The Toys. In December 1957, the Kansas City Ballet became a non-profit organization with a board of directors.
In the 1958–1959 season, the company changed its name to the Kansas City Civic Ballet. In 1963, they moved to a new spot in Kansas City near the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.
In 1966, a guest artist named Nathalie Krassovska helped the company perform Anton Dolin's Pas de Quatre. The next year, Shirley Weaver, a dancer from Kansas City, joined the KCB. She danced in many main roles, created dances, and taught.
To celebrate its 10th birthday, the company performed at the Kansas City Music Hall with three guest choreographers. In 1968, the company moved to the University of Missouri–Kansas City campus.
In April 1968, choreographer Zachary Solov started working with the KCB for several years. He created two new ballets for them: one set to Mozart's Symphony No. 40 and another based on Carnival of the Animals by Saint-Saëns. Dancers from the New York City Ballet, Edward Villella and Patricia McBride, also performed.
For the start of the 1969–70 season, Solov returned to create three more new ballets. Lead roles were danced by New York City Ballet guest artists Jacques d'Amboise and Melissa Hayden.
In 1970, the mayor of Kansas City, Ilus W. Davis, declared a special "Civic Ballet Week." During the 1970–1971 season, the company changed its name back to Kansas City Ballet.
In spring 1971, Solov came back to present a program called "Ages of Innocence." He created two more works for the KCB. Jacques d'Amboise and Melissa Hayden also performed again.
During the 1973–74 season, the KCB moved again. In December 1973, the KCB performed its first full-length The Nutcracker. In 1975, the Lyric Theatre became the company's main performance home. The company also started selling season tickets.
In 1976, Dokoudovska stepped down as artistic director to focus on teaching. That same year, the KCB became part of the National Endowment for the Arts Dance Touring Program. From 1976 to 1978, Eric Hyrst was the artistic director.
In April 1977, New York City Ballet dancer Patricia McBride performed her first full-length Giselle with the KCB. From 1977–1978, the company expanded to a four-show season. Ronald M. Sequoio was artistic director from 1978 to 1980. In 1979, the company moved to a warehouse under the Broadway Bridge.
The Bolender Era: 1981–1995
In January 1981, Todd Bolender, a famous dancer and choreographer from the New York City Ballet, became the artistic director of the Kansas City Ballet. His first year was very important for the company. He brought in new ballets and started new programs, including the Kansas City Ballet School.
In May 1982, Bolender honored his teacher, George Balanchine, with a four-day Balanchine Festival at the Lyric Theatre.
In 1983–1984, the company performed 25 shows in five different states. In 1985, Michael Kaiser joined the KCB as general manager.
In 1986, the KCB was renamed the State Ballet of Missouri. This name was used for over 14 years. In 1987, the KCB performed in New York City for the first time, showing four of Bolender's ballets.
In 1988, Alvin Ailey brought his ballet The River to the KCB. This was the first time the company performed an Ailey work. Also in 1988, American Ballet Theatre's Clark Tippett staged his work Enough Said.
In 1989, KCB premiered Bolender's work Celebration, created to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the University of Missouri. In 1991, KCB performed its first work by Antony Tudor, Lilac Garden.
In 1994, Muriel Kauffman, a well-known Kansas City leader and supporter of the KCB, created a $1 million fund for the ballet. That same year, the Nutcracker sets were redesigned by Robert Fletcher. Una Kai, the Ballet Mistress, retired in 1994.
In fall 1995, Bolender created a ballet called "Tribute to Muriel" in memory of Muriel Kauffman. Bolender retired in 1995 at age 81 and was named Artistic Director Emeritus in 1996. In fall 1996, Bolender premiered his last new work for the company, Arena.
The Whitener Era: 1996–2013
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William Whitener, a dancer from Joffrey Ballet and Twyla Tharp Dance, became the KCB Artistic Director in fall 1996.
In spring 1997, Whitener premiered The Scarlatti Dances, his first creation for the KCB. In fall 1997, KCB created a full-time director position for community outreach.
In 1998, Jeffrey Bentley became the executive director. In spring 1998, Whitener premiered two new works: Songs in the Open Air and A Midsummer Night's Dream.
In 1999, the company moved to a new building. KCB performed Giselle, and two new ballets that featured live music: Lila York's Gloria and Ann Reinking's Suite Kander.
In January 2000, after almost 15 years as the State Ballet of Missouri, the Kansas City Ballet went back to its original name. In October 2000, Whitener co-choreographed On the Boulevard with Shelley Freydont . The dancers performed with the Boulevard Big Band and singer Karrin Allyson. In May 2000, Artistic Director Emeritus Todd Bolender traveled to New York City to help videotape Bolender's recreation of the "lost" Balanchine ballet Renard.
In 2001, the company took part in Kansas City's Stravinsky Festival. KCB performed two ballets by Balanchine: Agon and Bolender's recreation of Balanchine's Renard.
In spring 2002, Whitener gained national attention for his work Six Solos, which featured six solo dances by famous choreographers. In February 2003, KCB performed Merce Cunningham's Duets, with Cunningham himself attending.
In 2004, KCB dancers were invited to New York City to perform Bolender's recreation of Balanchine's Renard as part of the Balanchine Centennial Celebration .
In 2005, KCB performed Twyla Tharp's Nine Sinatra Songs in New York City. The Midwest Youth Ballet (now the Kansas City Youth Ballet ) started working with the Kansas City Ballet School in September 2005.
In 2006, KCB announced plans to make the old Power House Building at Union Station its new permanent home. Whitener added the story ballet La Fille mal Gardee to the list of ballets performed.
In January 2007, KCB moved to a temporary location. In May 2007, Whitener added Carmen to the KCB's performances.
In 2008, for KCB's 50th Anniversary, Whitener added Tharp's Brahms Paganini and two new ballets: Whitener's First Position and Donald McKayle's Hey-Hay, Goin' to Kansas City. That same year, KCB performed at the Joyce Theatre in New York City and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C..
In 2009, Whitener continued to add to the KCB's list of ballets with Yuri Possokhov's Firebird, Artic Song by Karole Armitage, and Jessica Lang's Splendid Isolation III.
In August 2011, after moving nine times in over 50 years, the KCB moved into its new permanent home, the Todd Bolender Center for Dance and Creativity. In October 2011, KCB performed as the main dance company at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts with William Whitener's Tom Sawyer: A Ballet in Three Acts.
The Carney Era: 2013–Present
Devon Carney became KCB's artistic director in 2013.
One of Carney's first big ideas in fall 2013 was to start a Second Company program as part of the KCB School. He saw this program, for dancers who had just finished training, as a way to connect the school with the professional company. Carney also started to add more full-length classical ballets and modern works to the KCB's performances.
2013–2014 Season
Carney created and staged his first new work for the KCB, Opus I, in October 2013. In February 2014, KCB performed Dracula by choreographer Michael Pink. To finish the season, Carney presented the full-length ballet Cinderella, choreographed by Victoria Morgen.
In March 2014, Carney started "New Moves." This program helps find and show new choreographers from around the country, locally, and within the company. "New Moves" is now an annual event at the Bolender Center. It gives choreographers time and space to work with professional dancers to create new ballets.
2014–2015 Season
Carney brought choreographer Septime Webre to Kansas City to stage his ballet Alice in Wonderland. In December 2015, KCB stopped performing its old Nutcracker production, which had been used since 1981. Instead, Carney created and staged a completely new production of The Nutcracker. Carney ended the 2014–2015 season with his full-length version of the classic ballet Giselle.
2015–2016 Season
Carney added two more full-length ballets to KCB's performances: The Three Musketeers and Swan Lake. For Swan Lake, former American Ballet Theatre prima ballerina Cynthia Gregory came to Kansas City to coach the KCB dancers. In spring 2016, Carney presented four modern works.
2016–2017 Season
KCB started the season with Bruce Wells’ ballet A Midsummer Night's Dream. The spring performance was Carney's production of the famous fairy-tale ballet The Sleeping Beauty. KCB finished the season with a "Director's Choice" program of three works.
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2017–2018 Season
KCB celebrated its 60th anniversary in its 2017–2018 season. Carney started the anniversary season with his production of Romeo & Juliet. In November 2017, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts invited the KCB to Washington, D.C. to show its new Nutcracker production. In spring 2018, KCB presented its 60th Anniversary Dance Festival over two weekends. Carney ended KCB's 60th anniversary season with his original production of Peter Pan.
2018–2019 Season
Choreographer Septime Webre returned to Kansas City to create his new ballet The Wizard of Oz. This was a team effort with the Colorado Ballet and Royal Winnipeg Ballet. In November 2018, Kansas City PBS aired a documentary about the making of this Wizard of Oz ballet, which won an Emmy award. The KCB finished their 2018–2019 season with three works by famous American choreographers.
2019–2020 Season
Carney began the season with three modern works. In February 2020, KCB brought back Devon Carney's Swan Lake. In March 2020, KCB announced they were canceling or delaying shows for the rest of their season because of the Coronavirus pandemic.
2020–2021 Season
KCB first announced they were canceling their entire 2020–21 season. However, in February 2021, KCB was able to perform virtually with New Moves: The Broadcast Series. This series had sixteen videos of new pieces filmed at famous places around Kansas City. In late May 2021, KCB returned to live, outdoor performances at the historic Starlight Theatre.
2021–2022 Season
KCB offered a full season of live performances for their 2021–22 season. In September 2021, KCB performed the new work Amor Brujo, choreographed by Cuban dancer Irene Rodriguez. KCB returned to the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in October 2021 to present three modern works. In February 2022, KCB brought back Michael Pink's Dracula. In March 2022, KCB's annual New Moves show featured original works created only by female choreographers for the first time. KCB ended its 2021–22 season in May 2022 with Septime Webre's popular The Wizard of Oz.
2022–2023 Season
KCB opened its 2022–23 season with Devon Carney's Giselle. In late November 2022, the company returned to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to present Devon Carney's The Nutcracker. In February 2023, KCB performed Carney's new production of Cinderella. KCB's end-of-season show was called “Bliss Point” and included three modern works. The last piece featured a live performance by the local string quartet Opus 76.
In May 2022, KCB's long-time Executive Director Jeffrey Bentley announced he would retire. In May 2023, KCB announced that David Gray would be its new executive director starting in the 2023–24 season.
2023–2024 Season
The KCB started its 2023–24 season in October 2023 with the North American premiere of Val Caniparoli's Jekyll & Hyde. After its usual month-long run of Carney's Nutcracker in December 2023, the KCB brought Devon Carney's production of Peter Pan back to the stage in February 2024. The KCB presented its annual New Moves program in March 2024, which included seven new works. The KCB ended its 2023–24 season with the KCB premiere of George Balanchine's full-length Jewels.
2024–2025 Season
The KCB started its 2024-25 season with Septime Webre’s “Alice (in wonderland)”. After its traditional “Nutcracker” performances in December 2024, KCB presented its annual “New Moves” program in early 2025. This program offered six new works, including one performed live by the Kansas City-based Opus 76 Quartet.
In February 2025, KCB presented the story-ballet “Beauty and the Beast” as part of its new “Family Series”. This hour-long show was designed for young audiences and families to introduce them to theater and dance. Bruce Wells, who choreographed the ballet, narrated it from the stage at the historic Folly Theater.
In March 2025, KCB presented its first performance of the ballet “Don Quixote”, choreographed by Anna-Marie Holmes. KCB finished its season in May 2025 with a collection of short dance works called “Fusion”. It included four contemporary dances, with one new work created by Kansas City-based choreographer Caroline Dahm.
Who Leads the Kansas City Ballet?
Executive Director
David Gray became KCB's executive director on July 1, 2023. Before coming to Kansas City, Gray worked for the New York City Ballet and the Philadelphia Ballet. He also started a company that helped non-profit organizations with their finances.
Artistic Director
Devon Carney became KCB's Artistic Director in 2013. He is from New Orleans and was a main dancer and ballet master with the Boston Ballet. He also toured a lot with famous ballet dancers like Rudolf Nureyev. Before joining KCB, Carney was the Associate Artistic Director of the Cincinnati Ballet.
Rehearsal Directors
Kristi Capps joined KCB's artistic team in 2013. She trained at top ballet schools and danced with the Atlanta Ballet and the Cincinnati Ballet, where she became a principal dancer.
Parrish Maynard joined KCB in 2016. He danced with American Ballet Theatre and was a principal dancer with both the Joffrey Ballet and San Francisco Ballet.
Christopher Ruud joined KCB in 2019. He is the manager for KCB's Second Company and a Rehearsal Director. Ruud trained at the San Francisco Ballet School and was a principal dancer with Ballet West until 2019.
Music Director
Ramona Pansegrau became KCB's first Music Director in October 2006. She has worked with other ballet companies as a pianist, music director, and conductor. She has also taught and conducted at many dance festivals and competitions.
The Company Dancers
The Kansas City Ballet is a company of 30 dancers. This means all dancers work together as a team, and they often switch roles. They perform many different parts in shows, from lead roles to group dances.
The dancers for the 2025–2026 season are:
- Gavin Abercrombie (2018)
- Isaac Allen (2022)
- Alladson Barreto (2022)
- Joseph Boswell (2024)
- Kaleena Burks (2010)
- Angelin Carrant (2018)
- Liam Colclough (2025)*
- Aidan Duffy (2023)
- Sidney Haefs (2019)
- Kelsey Ivana Hellebuyck (2016)
- Amira Hogan (2023)
- Whitney Huell (2014)
- Olivia Jacobus (2022)
- Joshua Kiesel (2021)
- Keaton Linzau (2024)
- Celeste Lopez-Keranen (2025)
- Mei McArtor (2025)*
- Amelia Meissner (2023)
- Maura Moody (2025)
- Taryn Pachciarz (2012)
- Elliott Rogers (2023)
- Noura Sander (2025)
- Naomi Tanioka (2019)
- Cameron Thomas (2017)
- Andrew Vecseri (2022)
- Landen Walker (2025)*
- Marisa Deette Whiteman (2018)
- Derek Wippel (2025)*
- Gillian Yoder (2024)
- Paul Zusi (2021)
The KCB School
The KCB School was started in 1981 by KCB Artistic Director Todd Bolender. It offered special training for young dancers who wanted to become professionals. Over 40 years later, the school has grown a lot. It now offers many different training programs for students of all ages. It has won "Outstanding School" awards at the Youth America Grand Prix Regional Semi-finals several times.
The school has two locations: the Bolender Center in downtown Kansas City, Missouri and its South Campus in Johnson County, Kansas. In June 2022, KCB announced plans to make its South Campus much bigger. The expansion was finished in August 2023, adding two more studios and more space for staff and changing rooms.
School Director
Oliver Till became the director of the Kansas City Ballet School in July 2024. He trained at the Royal Ballet School and was a soloist with Birmingham Royal Ballet. After his dancing career, Oliver started teaching ballet.
School Programs
The KCB School has two main parts: The Academy for ages 3 and up, and the Studio Division for ages 12 and older.
- The Academy. The Academy has over 500 students, making it one of the biggest ballet schools in the area. It has a "lower" school and an "upper" school.
- Lower School. The Lower School has two programs. The Children's Program (ages 3-7) teaches kids about ballet and movement in a fun, creative way. The Primary Program (ages 7-11) teaches the basics of classical ballet.
- Upper School. The Upper School has Intermediate and Advanced programs. Both programs help students improve their dance technique, musicality, and artistic skills. The Daytime Program, started in 2016, allows students to train intensely during the day, with 20-25 hours of classes each week in different dance styles.
- Studio Division. This division offers various classes:
- Junior Studio classes are for students aged 7–15 who cannot commit to the Academy's schedule. These classes also let Academy students take other dance classes like Jazz and Hip Hop.
- Studio Dance and Fitness classes are for all ages and skill levels.
- Adult dance classes and workshops are available in short sessions.
Kansas City Youth Ballet
The Kansas City Youth Ballet (KCYB) started working with the KCB School in 2005. KCYB is made up of dancers aged 13 to 18. The company puts on two big shows each season and performs for educational events in the community.
Second Company Program
KCB's Second Company helps talented young dancers get professional experience before joining a main company.
- Trainee Program. This program, started in 2014, helps young dancers who have finished high school improve their skills and get ready for a dance career. Trainees take some classes with the main company and might get to perform with them. They also perform with KCB II for educational events.
- KCB II. The KCB II program was started by Artistic Director Devon Carney in fall 2013. It has seven dancers chosen from across the US. KCB II dancers improve their skills and gain experience in a professional setting. They often get to perform with KCB's main company. They also act as dance ambassadors, performing for local audiences at places like art galleries and Union Station.
Reach Out and Dance (ROAD)
- Residency Program. The "Reach Out And Dance" (ROAD) program started in 2000. Each year, it teaches over 1000 elementary school students in the Kansas City area about movement, music, and ballet. ROAD is a 12- to 24-week dance program held in schools. It helps students understand and connect with dance. Professional teachers from KCB teach ROAD classes with live music. Students don't need special dance clothes or shoes. The program is for 3rd and 4th graders and teaches dance basics like space, time, and teamwork. It also connects with school subjects. The ROAD program ends each year with a special "ROAD Rally" for families.
- ROAD Scholarship Program. KCB's ROAD Scholarship Program started in September 2017. It works with Kansas City Public Schools and the Turner Unified School District. This program gives over 100 selected children from sixteen schools the chance to study dance once a week at the Bolender Center during the school day. The school districts provide transportation for the students.
- Program Recognition. In 2019, the Hearst Foundations gave the ROAD program a $100,000 grant because of its positive impact on children in the Kansas City community.
Community Engagement and Education
KCB offers many programs to help people learn about and enjoy ballet. These programs aim to help people of all ages understand dance better.
Educational Performances
- Matinees for Schools. KCB performs special morning shows for schools at a lower price. These shows help students learn about English, history, music, and technology. Teachers get an online guide with information about the ballet and activities.
- Lecture Demonstrations. KCB Second Company offers a 60-minute interactive dance program in schools for elementary, middle, and high school students. Dancers and KCB staff narrate these programs, which include different classic and modern ballets.
Community Programs
- Dance-a-Story. For young children (pre-K and early elementary), KCB provides 45-minute "Dance-a-Story" workshops. These workshops bring stories to life through creative movement, music, and a show-and-tell with costumes and props.
- Master Classes. Students who are at an intermediate or advanced dance level can take a class from one of KCB's expert teachers or a guest teacher.
- Dance Speaks. Dance Speaks is an educational series offered by KCB at different community places. These events include discussions with guest artists about KCB's current shows and the creative process of choreographers.
- Behind-the-Scenes Tours. Community groups can tour the Todd Bolender Center for Dance and Creativity, KCB's home. They can also watch company classes and rehearsals.
- KC Dance Day. Since 2010, KCB has opened the Bolender Center to the public for the annual "KC Dance Day" event. Thousands of people from the Kansas City area come to this event each year for free dance classes and performances by local dance groups. William Whitener said that KC Dance Day was "KCB Ballet's gift to the local dance community" to support and create excitement for all kinds of dance.
Support Groups
BARRE KC
BARRE KC was started in 2004. It's a group for young adults and professionals who want to support the KCB. BARRE KC hosts an annual fundraiser called the BARRE Soirée. This event raises money for scholarships for students in the KCB Reach Out And Dance (R.O.A.D.) program.
KCB Guild
The KCB Guild started from a group of KCB mothers in 1961. In 1967, it was called the "Women's Committee" and later became the "Kansas City Ballet Guild." The KCB Guild now has over 200 members who support dance and ballet in Kansas City.
- Fundraising. The Guild holds two main fundraisers each year for the KCB: the Nutcracker Boutique and the annual Ballet Ball. The "Women's Committee" held the first "Ballet Ball" in 1968. In 2017, the KCB Guild's 60th Anniversary Diamond Ball raised over $300,000 for the KCB.
- Archive. The KCB Guild Archive Committee takes care of the Tatiana Dokoudovska Library for Dance, which was started in 2008. It has four collections, including materials from past artistic directors. In May 2023, the Guild announced a new fund to help the KCB Archive continue to grow.
Bolender Society
The KCB Bolender Society is a group of ballet supporters who give large donations or leave money to the KCB in their wills. Members are invited to special KCB events, like lunches with guest choreographers, social gatherings with dancers, private rehearsals, and trips to dance performances.
In 2016, KCB staff organized a week-long trip for 44 members and staff to Cuba. They attended the 25th International Ballet Festival of Havana. Participants went on special tours, including a visit to the Cuban National Ballet School, and watched festival performances every evening.
