The Kansas City Ballet was founded in 1957 by Tatiana Dokoudovska as the Kansas City Ballet Company with a goal of establishing a regular presence for ballet in the city.

In 1980 the trustees made a commitment to build a professional company and selected Todd Bolender as Artistic Director. Mr. Bolender fulfilled his vision of developing a nationally recognized ensemble based on his extensive experiences as a dancer and choreographer with George Balanchine, the New York City Ballet, and the School of American Ballet.

William Whitener was appointed Artistic Director in 1996. Today, Mr. Whitener strives to diversify and expand the repertory to a point that is reflective of the best of American dance. While Mr. Whitener insures that the Company’s repertory is fresh and infused with popular, contemporary work, he is also committed to the ongoing presentation of the works that have been the Company’s hallmark.

The Kansas City Ballet numbers 25 professional dancers.

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