upcoming productions, programs, and events
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KC Dance Day
August 25, 2018
Todd Bolender Center for Dance & Creativity
Enjoy our 8th annual KC Dance Day at the Bolender Center from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. with FREE dance classes and FREE performances; even an open rehearsal by Kansas City Ballet dancers! All events take place at the TODD BOLENDER CENTER, 500 W. PERSHING, just west of Union Station.
New Dance Partners
September 21-22, 2018
Yardley Hall | Carlsen Center at Johnson County Community College
Four companies, four choreographers, four world premieres
We’re thrilled to stage this innovative festival of dance for the fifth year! A collaboration where the Carlsen Center commissions choreographers to create original works for local dance companies, which then premiere on the Yardley Hall stage. In 2018, the collaborative partners are Kansas City Ballet working with Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, international choreographer based in Amsterdam, Netherlands; Owen/Cox Dance Group working with Darrell Grand Moultrie, choreographer and master teacher, based in New York City; Wylliams/Henry Contemporary Dance Company working with Christian Denice, choreographer, based in Chicago; and Störling Dance Theatre working with Lauri Stallings, Atlanta-based choreographer, artist and organizer.
DANCE SPEAKS
The Wizard of Oz, A World Premiere Ballet
September 27, 2018
6:30-7:30 PM | Panel Discussion
Kansas City Public Library | Central Branch Downtown
As part of Kansas City Ballet’s commitment to engage the community-at-large, we offer a unique educational series titled DANCE SPEAKS. This series, held at various venues around the community, is intended to provide an up-close and personal look into the creative process choreographers and dance artists embark upon before ballets reach the stage. Acclaimed choreographer Septime Webre who created an imaginative adaptation of the beloved book and 1939 film, headlines a discussion around the making of this production with Kansas City Ballet’s Artistic Director Devon Carney.
Webre is the artistic director of Hong Kong Ballet. The Wizard of Oz features a bold, new spectacle of music, costumes, sets, projections and special effects, and premieres October 12-21 at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.
This Dance Speaks is co-presented by the Kansas City Public Library and is free to the public. You must RSVP on the Library website below.
The Emerald City Ball
October 6, 2018
InterContinental Kansas City At The Plaza
The Ball benefits Kansas City Ballet and celebrates the Ballet’s world premiere The Wizard of Oz. Join Dorothy and friends on October 6 for a memorable evening of extraordinary décor, superb cuisine, great music to dance to and an extra-special glimpse into the fantastical world of Septime Webre’s The Wizard of Oz. With gratitude for your support, Emerald City Ball Underwriters and Benefactors will enjoy a splendid pre-dinner reception in the InterContinental’s rooftop ballroom prior to entering the Emerald City. Additionally, sponsors at the Table Host level and above on Tuesday, October 16 will experience an evening of dinner, music and dance among the never-before-seen sets of The Wizard of Oz on the stage of the Muriel Kauffman Theatre at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.
The Wizard of Oz
October 12-21, 2018
Muriel Kauffman Theatre | Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
The much anticipated world premiere by Septime Webre, the creator of Alice (in wonderland), will take audiences on a fantastical journey to the Emerald City. Filled with all the familiarity of the classic story – Dorothy and Toto swept to Oz join up with three unlikely heroes to see the Wizard, their triumph over the Wicked Witch, and the quest to return home – yet realized with a bold, new spectacle of music, costumes, sets, projections and special effects. This is the must-see family event of the season.
Save 20% off regular single tickets when you purchase 2018-2019 season subscription. Subscribe today or call the Kansas City Ballet Box Office at 816.931.8993.
THE Nutcracker
November 30-December 23, 2018
Muriel Kauffman Theatre | Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
Last year, Kansas City Ballet’s The Nutcracker awed Kennedy Center audiences in Washington, D.C., and hailed as “positively oozing charm” by The Washington Post, and is “especially lovely with its bright, fresh décor.” The classic, Victorian-era story by E.T.A. Hoffman featuring Clara, the Nutcracker Prince, Dr. Drosselmeier and the Sugar Plum Fairy is a magical theatrical experience wrapped with exquisite costumes, grand sets and captivating choreography. Let your wonder ignite and feel the glimmer once more as your childhood dreams return and inspire you to IMAGINE AGAIN.
Save 20% off regular single tickets when you add-on this performance to your 2018-2019 season subscription. Subscribe today or call the Kansas City Ballet Box Office at 816.931.8993.
Sugar Plum Fairy Children’s Ball
December 1, 2018
Muehlebach Tower | Marriott Downtown
Join the enchanting Sugar Plum Fairy and her friends as they entertain you at the Muehlebach Tower of the Marriot in downtown Kansas City at 10:30 a.m. for a morning full of magic. Each child will receive a complimentary photo with the Sugar Plum Fairy and delight in complimentary face painting. Guests will enjoy shopping for holiday gifts at the toy shoppe or our fun silent auction, and will dine on a delicious three-course luncheon. Following the ball, guests will attend the matinee performance of Kansas City Ballet Artistic Director Devon Carney’s The Nutcracker at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.
DANCE SPEAKS
Lady of the Camellias
January 30, 2019
5:30-6:00 PM | Company Open Rehearsal
6:00-7:00 PM | Panel Discussion
Frost Studio Theater | Todd Bolender Center for Dance & Creativity
As part of Kansas City Ballet’s commitment to engage the community-at-large, we offer a unique educational series titled DANCE SPEAKS, held at various venues around the community. Guest choreographer Val Caniparoli and KC Ballet Artistic Director Devon Carney provide an up-close and personal look into bringing Caniparoli’s ballet Lady of the Camellias to the Kauffman Center stage.
Lady of the Camellias
February 15-24, 2019
Muriel Kauffman Theatre | Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
Armand, a young countryman meets the ravishing courtesan Marguerite in a chance meeting that leads to a passionate, but doomed love. Val Caniparoli’s popular adaptation of this classic story is set to the romantic score by Frédéric Chopin, and deftly depicts the moving story of beauty, extravagance, jealousy, deception and heartbreak. Alexandre Dumas’ tragic love story has inspired many adaptations, including Greta Garbo’s Camille and Baz Luhrman’s Moulin Rouge!, but none more popular than Verdi’s opera La Traviata.
Save 20% off regular single tickets when you purchase 2018-2019 season subscription. Subscribe today or call the Kansas City Ballet Box Office at 816.931.8993.
DANCE SPEAKS
New Moves
March 20, 2019
6:30-7:30 PM | Panel Discussion
Hilliard Gallery | 1820 McGee St.
As part of Kansas City Ballet’s commitment to engage the community-at-large, we offer a unique educational series titled DANCE SPEAKS. This Dance Speaks provides an up-close and personal look into the process emerging, cutting edge choreographers employ in creating original contemporary works.
nEW mOVES
March 28-31, 2019
Michael and Ginger Frost Studio Theater | Todd Bolender Center for Dance & Creativity
New Moves, one of Kansas City Ballet’s most popular performances, showcases contemporary ballet in an intimate setting. This limited-run production gives audiences a chance to see tomorrow’s sought after choreographers today! It is a very up close and visceral experience for audience and dancer alike. Come see our Kansas City Ballet artists and emerging choreographers discover bold new ways of expression and feel the athleticism, beauty, power and passion of never before seen dance creations!
Save 20% off regular single tickets when you add-on this performance to your 2018-2019 season subscription. Subscribe today or call the Kansas City Ballet Box Office at 816.931.8993.
DANCE SPEAKS
Ballets by Tharp, Parsons, and Forsythe
May 1, 2019
5:30-6:00 PM | Company Open Rehearsal
6:00-7:00 PM | Panel Discussion
Frost Studio Theater | Todd Bolender Center for Dance & Creativity
As part of Kansas City Ballet’s commitment to engage the community-at-large, we offer a unique educational series titled DANCE SPEAKS. KC Ballet’s Artistic Director Devon Carney moderates a discussion with the stagers of Twyla Tharp’s ballet In The Upper Room, William Forsythe’s ballet In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated, and with Kansas City native David Parsons, around his world premiere ballet.
THARP / PARSONS / FORSYTHE
May 10-19, 2019
Muriel Kauffman Theatre | Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
This is Kansas City Ballet’s must-see dance event of the season with the works of three of America’s most recognized and acclaimed choreographers brought together on stage at the Kauffman Center! Twyla Tharp’s In the Upper Room is a tour-de-force of athleticism, built on a pulsating score by Phillip Glass. William Forsythe’s contemporary masterpiece, In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated, is a high-voltage thrill ride that changed dance forever and became one of Forsythe’s signature works. Kansas City native, David Parsons founded Parsons Dance and quickly was hailed as a master of contemporary dance. He returns to KC with a world premiere ballet just for you.
Save 20% off regular single tickets when you purchase 2018-2019 season subscription. Subscribe today or call the Kansas City Ballet Box Office at 816.931.8993.