The story of the Kansas City Ballet is one of daunting challenges transformed into exciting opportunities. Incredibly, what began 50 years ago as a civic ballet company has now come to embody the collective talents, dreams and passion of an entire community. 

Tatiana Dokoudovska, better known as “Miss Tania,” founded the Kansas City Ballet in 1957. Over the next 20 years, she would take the company’s status from an outgrowth of the UMKC Conservatory of Music, to a metropolitan civic company, and finally, to its first professional season in 1976-77.

Following Miss Tania’s retirement, Todd Bolender would be chosen to take her place as Artistic Director in 1981. A protégé of George Balanchine and an internationally acclaimed dancer, teacher and choreographer, Mr. Bolender’s extensive professional experience and ambitious vision would bring the company to a new level of quality and national recognition - far beyond what was ever thought possible.

After Mr. Bolender’s retirement in 1995, the Kansas City Ballet appointed its current Artistic Director, William Whitener. Over a dance career spanning three decades, Mr. Whitener performed with The Joffrey Ballet, Twyla Tharp Dance, and in Bob Fosse's Dancin'. Today, Mr. Whitener continues to diversify and expand the company’s repertory with fresh, contemporary work reflective of the best of American dance, while also remaining committed to the ongoing presentation of works that have been the company’s hallmark.

The establishment of a new, permanent space for the Kansas City Ballet is of the utmost importance. Knowing this, it’s only fitting that the Todd Bolender Center for Dance & Creativity is slated to open in 2009 defining us as both a national presence dedicated to artistic excellence as well as a community institution that has withstood the test of time.