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 in Kansas City, Missouri. It was started in 1957 by Tatiana Dokoudovska, who came from Russia. The KCB puts on five big shows every year, including the famous The Nutcracker.
The KCB, its school, and its team all work and practice at the Todd Bolender Center for Dance and Creativity. This building used to be something else, but it was made new in 2011. It has seven studios and offices. The company performs at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, which is also in downtown Kansas City and opened in 2011.
Contents
History
1957–1981 – The Beginning Years
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In 1957, Tatiana Dokoudovska started the Kansas City Ballet (KCB). Their first show was on April 30, 1957, at the Victoria Theater. Dokoudovska was the first artistic director, which means she was in charge of the artistic side of the ballet. Later that year, the KCB became a non-profit group. This means they use their money to support their mission, not to make a profit.
In 1958, the company changed its name to the Kansas City Civic Ballet. Over the years, they moved to different locations in Kansas City.
In 1966, a special dancer named Nathalie Krassovska helped the company learn a ballet called Pas de Quatre. In 1967, the KCB celebrated its 10th birthday with a big show.
Famous choreographers like Zachary Solov worked with the KCB in the late 1960s and early 1970s. They created new ballets and invited guest dancers from the New York City Ballet.
In 1970, the mayor of Kansas City even declared a special “Civic Ballet Week” to honor the company! In 1970, the company changed its name back to Kansas City Ballet.
In 1973, the KCB performed its first full-length The Nutcracker ballet. This show became a yearly tradition. In 1975, the Lyric Theatre became the main place where the company performed.
In 1976, Tatiana Dokoudovska stepped down as artistic director to focus on teaching. Other artistic directors led the company for a few years after that.
1981–1995 – The Bolender Years
In 1981, Todd Bolender became the artistic director of the Kansas City Ballet. He was a very well-known dancer and choreographer from the New York City Ballet. His first year was very important for the company. He brought in many new ballets and started the Kansas City Ballet School.
In 1982, Bolender honored his teacher, George Balanchine, with a special festival of Balanchine's ballets.
The company started to tour more in the 1980s, performing in five different states. In 1986, the KCB was renamed the State Ballet of Missouri. They kept this name for over 14 years.
In 1987, the KCB performed in New York City for the first time, showing off four of Bolender's ballets. Famous choreographers like Alvin Ailey and Antony Tudor also had their ballets performed by the KCB during this time.
In 1994, Muriel Kauffman, a kind supporter of Kansas City and the KCB, created a special fund to help the ballet. The Nutcracker also got new sets that year.
Todd Bolender retired in 1995 when he was 81 years old. He was given the title Artistic Director Emeritus, which means he was still honored for his past work.
1996-2013 – The Whitener Years
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William Whitener, a dancer from the Joffrey Ballet and Twyla Tharp, became the KCB Artistic Director in 1996. He was also a choreographer and had experience leading other companies.
In 1997, Whitener created his first ballet for the KCB. That same year, the KCB started a full-time job for someone to connect with the community and teach about ballet.
In 1999, the company moved to a new building. They performed classic ballets like Giselle and new works that featured live music.
In 2000, the company changed its name back to Kansas City Ballet from State Ballet of Missouri. Also in 2000, Todd Bolender helped record a "lost" ballet by George Balanchine so it wouldn't be forgotten.
The KCB continued to perform important ballets by famous choreographers like George Balanchine and Merce Cunningham. In 2005, the Midwest Youth Ballet (now the Kansas City Youth Ballet) started working with the Kansas City Ballet School.
In 2006, the KCB announced plans to make the old Power House Building in downtown Kansas City their new home. In 2008, the KCB celebrated its 50th birthday! They performed in New York City and Washington, D.C. for the first time.
In August 2011, after being in nine different places over 50 years, the KCB finally moved into its new permanent home: the Todd Bolender Center for Dance and Creativity. In October 2011, the KCB performed at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts for the first time as its main ballet company.
2013–present – The Carney Years
Devon Carney became the KCB's artistic director in 2013. He used to be a main dancer and ballet master with the Boston Ballet.
One of Carney's first ideas was to start a Second Company program in 2013. This program helps young dancers who have finished school get ready for a professional ballet career. Carney also wanted to add more ballets to the KCB's collection, including classic story ballets and new, modern works.
In 2014, Carney started "New Moves." This is a special event where new choreographers can create and show their ballets with professional dancers. It happens every year at the Bolender Center.
Carney also created a brand new The Nutcracker production in 2015. He also added other full-length ballets like Swan Lake and Giselle to the KCB's shows. Famous dancers like Cynthia Gregory and Wendy Whelan came to Kansas City to help coach the KCB dancers.
In 2017, the KCB celebrated its 60th anniversary! They performed Carney's Romeo & Juliet. They were also invited to perform their new Nutcracker in Washington, D.C..
In 2018, the KCB worked with other ballet companies to create a new ballet called The Wizard of Oz. This show was so popular that Kansas City PBS made a documentary about it, which won an Emmy award!
In 2020, like many other groups, the KCB had to cancel some shows because of the Coronavirus pandemic. But they found ways to keep dancing, even performing online and outdoors in 2021.
The KCB returned to a full season of live shows in 2021-2022. They performed new works and brought back popular ballets like Dracula and The Wizard of Oz. In 2022, they performed Carney's new Cinderella.
In May 2023, David Gray became the new executive director of the Kansas City Ballet.
Senior Staff
Executive Director
David Gray became the KCB's executive director on July 1, 2023. Before coming to Kansas City, he worked for other ballet companies and helped non-profit groups with their money.
Artistic Staff
Artistic Director
Devon Carney became the KCB's Artistic Director in 2013. He is from New Orleans. He was a main dancer and ballet master with the Boston Ballet. He also toured around the world with famous dancers like Rudolf Nureyev. Before joining KCB, he was the Associate Artistic Director of the Cincinnati Ballet.
Rehearsal Directors
Rehearsal directors help the dancers practice and get ready for shows.
- Kristi Capps joined KCB in 2013. She danced with the Atlanta Ballet and the Cincinnati Ballet.
- Parrish Maynard joined KCB in 2016. He was a main dancer with American Ballet Theatre, the Joffrey Ballet, and San Francisco Ballet.
- Christopher Ruud joined KCB in 2019. He helps manage the Second Company and is also a rehearsal director. He danced with Ballet West for many years.
Music Director
Ramona Pansegrau became the KCB's first Music Director in 2006. She has worked with many ballet companies as a pianist, music director, and conductor. She helps make sure the music for the ballets is perfect.
Company
The Kansas City Ballet is an "ensemble" company. This means they have 30 dancers, and all of them are important. Dancers often switch roles and perform different parts in shows, from main roles to group dances.
Repertory
The KCB has performed over 200 different ballets since it started in 1957. The company keeps a list of all the ballets they have performed on their website.
Having 30 full-time dancers and the Second Company means the KCB can perform more and bigger classic ballets.
School
The KCB School was started in 1981 by Todd Bolender. It helps young dancers train to become professionals. Today, the school is much bigger and offers many different dance classes for all ages. It has won awards for being an "Outstanding School."
The school has two locations: the Bolender Center in downtown Kansas City and a South Campus in Johnson County, Kansas. The South Campus was made much bigger in 2023, adding more studios and changing rooms.
School programs
The KCB School has two main parts: the Academy (for ages 3 and up) and the Studio Division (for ages 12 and up).
- The Academy. This part of the school has over 500 students. All classes are taught at the Bolender Center.
- Lower School. This is for younger students.
- The Children's Program (ages 3-7) teaches kids about ballet and moving their bodies in fun ways.
- The Primary Program (ages 7-11) teaches the basic steps of classical ballet.
- Upper School. This is for older students who want to learn more advanced ballet.
- The Intermediate and Advanced programs help students improve their dance skills, musicality, and artistry.
- The Daytime Program (started in 2016) lets students train for 20-25 hours a week, including many different dance styles.
- Lower School. This is for younger students.
- Studio Division. This part offers different types of classes.
- Junior Studio classes are for students aged 7–15 who can't take as many classes as the Academy students. These classes also let Academy students try other dance styles like Jazz and Hip Hop.
- Studio Dance and Fitness classes are for everyone, no matter their age or experience.
- Adult dance classes are also available for grown-ups.
Kansas City Youth Ballet
The Kansas City Youth Ballet (KCYB) is for dancers aged 13 to 18. They perform two big shows each year and also do educational shows for the community.
Second Company Program
The KCB's Second Company helps talented young dancers get professional experience before joining a main ballet company.
- Trainee Program. This program helps young dancers improve their skills after high school. Trainees can take classes with the main company and sometimes perform with them. They also perform in shows for schools and the community.
- KCB II. This group has seven dancers chosen from all over the US. KCB II dancers get to practice their skills in a professional setting and often perform with the main KCB company. They also act as "ambassadors" for dance, performing at places like art galleries and Union Station.
Community Engagement and Education
The KCB has many programs to help people learn about and enjoy ballet.
Reach Out and Dance (ROAD)
- Residency Program. The "Reach Out And Dance" (ROAD) program started in 2000. It teaches over 1000 elementary school students each year about movement, music, and ballet. ROAD is a dance program that takes place in schools. It helps students understand dance better. Professional teachers from KCB teach these classes with live music. Students don't need special clothes or shoes. The program is for 3rd and 4th graders and teaches dance basics like space and rhythm. It also helps students learn self-discipline and teamwork. The program ends with a special "ROAD Rally" for families.
- ROAD Scholarship Program. This program started in 2017. It gives over 100 students from certain schools the chance to study dance once a week at the Bolender Center. Their schools help with transportation.
- Program Recognition. In 2019, the Hearst Foundations gave the ROAD program a big grant because it helps so many children in the community.
Educational performances
- Matinees for Schools. KCB performs special morning shows for schools at a lower price. These shows help students learn about different subjects like history and music. Teachers get a guide with activities and information about the ballets.
- Lecture Demonstrations. The KCB Second Company offers a 60-minute interactive dance show for elementary, middle, and high school students. Dancers and KCB staff explain the ballets and perform parts of classic and modern dances.
Community programs
- Dance-a-Story. For young children, KCB offers "Dance-a-Story" workshops. They bring stories to life through movement, music, and showing off costumes and props.
- Master Classes. Students who are more advanced in dance can take a class from a KCB master teacher or a special guest teacher.
- Dance Speaks. This is a series of talks where people can learn more about KCB's ballets, how choreographers create dances, and new ideas in the dance world.
- Behind-the-Scenes Tours. Groups can tour the Todd Bolender Center for Dance and Creativity, see the dancers practice, and learn about upcoming ballets.
- KC Dance Day. Since 2010, the KCB has opened the Bolender Center to everyone for "KC Dance Day." Thousands of people come each year for free dance classes and to see performances by local dance groups. It's a way for KCB to celebrate all kinds of dance in Kansas City.
Support groups
BARRE KC
BARRE KC started in 2004. It's a group for young adults and professionals who want to support the KCB. They hold a yearly fundraiser called the BARRE Soirée. The money raised helps fund scholarships for the ROAD program.
KCB Guild
The KCB Guild started in 1961 as a group of KCB mothers. Now, it's a group of over 200 ballet supporters in Kansas City.
- Fundraising. The Guild holds two main fundraisers each year: the Nutcracker Boutique and the yearly Ballet Ball. In 2017, the Guild's "Diamond Ball" raised a lot of money for the KCB's 60th anniversary.
- Archive. The KCB Guild helps keep the [Tatiana Dokoudovska Library for Dance]. This library has old records and materials from the KCB's history and from its past artistic directors.
Bolender Society
The KCB Bolender Society is for people who give large donations to the KCB. Members get invited to special events, like lunches with choreographers, parties with dancers, and private rehearsals. In 2016, some members even went on a trip to Cuba to attend a ballet festival!
Images for kids
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The Kansas City Ballet's studio is located blocks away from Union Station in downtown Kansas City
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The Kansas City Ballet's downtown studio
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