William Whitener, artistic director of the Kansas City Ballet, announced the appointment of Lisa Thorn as Associate Ballet Mistress for the respected ballet organization on April 28. Ms. Thorn will retire after a remarkable 17-year history of dancing with the company. Ms. Thorn performed her final performances at the Kansas City Ballet Spring Program at the Lyric Theater May 5-8. At that time, she was honored for her incredible contribution and dedication. “Lisa Thorn is a treasured member of the Kansas City Ballet,” said Whitener. “As a dancer, her artistic range is exceptional. She has excelled in a variety of styles and has shown great versatility in her acting roles. As Associate Ballet Mistress, she will be able to share her wealth of knowledge and experience with our current company and future generations of dancers.”
Ms. Thorn, a native of Dryden, N.Y, studied as a scholarship student at North Carolina School of the Arts and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School. Ms. Thorn has danced a variety of principal roles since joining Kansas City Ballet in 1988. Some of her most memorable roles include Waltz Girl in Serenade, Cowgirl in Rodeo, Frankie in Frankie & Johnny, Emily in The Chariot, Adela in Feast of Ashes, Nine Sinatra Songs, Jardi Tancat and The Still Point. Ms. Thorn has performed professionally with Albany Berkshire Ballet, The Chautauqua Festival Company, Pennsylvania Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Starlight Theatre, The Lyric Opera of Kansas City, and Wylliams/Henry Danse Theatre. She has taught at the Kansas City Ballet School and at the Conservatory within the University of Missouri-Kansas City. She was selected to attend the Craft Choreography Conference in Utah this summer as an “emerging choreographer.” As Associate Ballet Mistress for Kansas City Ballet, Ms. Thorn will be responsible for assisting the Artistic Director with rehearsals, programming and casting as well as teaching company classes. “This is an incredible opportunity and I was truly honored that they asked me,” stated Thorn. “I have great respect for the company and staff, and I hope to continue to provide the individual attention which made such a difference to me in my career.”
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