Kansas City Ballet

A New Artistic Director For The Kansas City Ballet

Laura Spencer — Fri, 24 May 2013 01:00:45 +0000

After an extensive search process, the Kansas City Ballet has a new artistic director. Dancer, choreographer and teacher Devon Carney begins his new post in July. Carney succeeds outgoing artistic director William Whitener.

Five Questions For Devon Carney

Laura Spencer — Fri, 24 May 2013 01:00:33 +0000

The Kansas City Ballet announced today that Devon Carney was chosen as the company's new artistic director. For the last decade, Carney has worked with Cincinnati Ballet; since 2008, he's served as associate artistic director.

[VIDEO] Five Questions For Kansas City Ballet’s William Whitener

Julie Denesha — Fri, 10 May 2013 22:34:53 +0000

This marks Artistic Director William Whitener's final season with the Kansas City Ballet. After 17 years with the company, he's preparing to return to New York. Whitener answered a few questions before the final performances.

William Whitener: Taking A Final KC Bow

Steve Kraske and Danie Alexander — Fri, 10 May 2013 02:35:00 +0000

William Whitener became Artistic Director of the Kansas City Ballet in 1996. After having staged, taught, acquired, commissioned or created 85 works for the organization and seeing it move into its new rehearsal and performance spaces, Whitener now prepares to leave the Ballet and embark on yet another chapter in his remarkable career.

Rock, Jazz, And William Shatner Conclude Kansas City Ballet's Season

Julie Denesha — Fri, 03 May 2013 15:02:13 +0000

The Kansas City Ballet tops off its 55th season with a playful mix of dance.

Unexpected Combinations In Karole Armitage's 'Energy Made Visible'

Laura Spencer — Fri, 03 May 2013 10:00:00 +0000

Choreographer Karole Armitage, a native of Lawrence, Kan. says artist Jackson Pollock can be viewed as "a metaphor for the creative process"; his lines of dripped and poured paint are like a dance. Kansas City Ballet concludes its season with a world premiere by Armitage, exploring the intersection between art, jazz, and dance.

Heartland Men's Chorus Explores Love, Before And After the Holocaust

Laura Spencer — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 10:00:00 +0000

In the 1920's and into the early 1930's, there was a thriving gay culture in Europe, especially in Berlin. But, with the rise of Hitler and the Nazi party, that all changed.

The Weekend To-Do List: March 14-17, 2013

Beth Lipoff and Brian McTavish — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 16:45:00 +0000

Looking for some fun (and the luck of the Irish) the weekend of March 14-17, 2013? Brian McTavish returns with the Weekend To-Do List.

[VIDEO] Developing Character Through Dance

Julie Denesha — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 10:00:00 +0000

The Kansas City Ballet’s "A Midsummer Night's Dream" is a Shakespeare comedy performed in dance. The process of developing a character through movement and pantomime is one that often takes a close collaboration between dancer and choreographer.

As In 'Billy Elliot,' Barriers To Boys In Ballet Disappear With Grace

Steve Walker and Julie Denesha — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 11:00:00 +0000

The musical Billy Elliot, which won ten Tony Awards in 2009 and comes to Kansas City's Music Hall next week, teaches that to move toward a dream, the dream must involve movement.

[VIDEO] Behind the Scenes: The Kansas City Ballet Costume Shop Prepares For 'The Nutcracker'

Julie Denesha — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 11:00:00 +0000

In a basement room of the Bolender Center, Costume Shop Supervisor Jennifer Carroll and her assistant Joey Gee spend busy days fitting and repairing the costumes as the Kansas City Ballet prepares for its annual production of The Nutcracker.

[VIDEO] The Pounding Rhythms Of 'Carmina Burana' Open The Kansas City Ballet Season

Julie Denesha — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 10:00:00 +0000

Carl Orff's “Carmina Burana” is based on Medieval poems about love, drinking, and spirituality – some bawdy and irreverent. For the Kansas City Ballet's epic-scaled production, music director Ramona Pansegrau leads the Kansas City Symphony, and a chorus, on-stage and in the balconies.

Kansas City Ballet's Artistic Director Changes Steps In 2013

Laura Spencer — Sat, 07 Jul 2012 03:00:00 +0000

The Kansas City Ballet announced late Friday that longtime artistic director William Whitener will step down at the end of the 2012-2013 season.

Kansas City Ballet Announces Retirement Of Veteran Dancer

Laura Spencer — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 17:30:09 +0000

Described as the "epitome of balletic grace," Kimberly Cowen is the one remaining Kansas City Ballet dancer hired by the late Todd Bolender, former artistic director. But, it's the end of an era.

Playing Romeo And Juliet

Laura Spencer — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 20:43:22 +0000

"Romeo and Juliet," Shakespeare's classic story of two star-crossed lovers, has inspired musical, film, and theatrical adaptations. It's also one of the most popular ballets. Kansas City Ballet's production of Romeo and Juliet brings this story of young love to the stage.