DESCRIPTION: Founded in 1957, Kansas City Ballet is a 30-member professional ballet company that offers a wide array of performances from traditional classics to contemporary pieces. Kansas City Ballet has earned the respect of the national dance community and is a source of pride for KC, especially during December as the company performs the holiday classic, The Nutcracker. The performance season includes five unique shows through the fall, winter and spring, four of which are located in the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts and one at the Bolender Center for Dance and Creativity.
ADDRESS:
Todd Bolender Center for Dance and Creativity
Administrative Office – 500 W. Pershing Rd., Kansas City, MO 64108
LOCATION: Downtown, near the Convention Center and Crossroads Arts District
PHONE: 816-931-2232
WEB SITE: www.kcballet.org
SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook-Kansas City Ballet, Twitter-@kcballet, Instagram-kc.ballet
HIGHLIGHTS:
HOURS: Performance times and dates vary. Please see website for more information.
ADMISSION: Contact the box office at 816-931-8993 or boxoffice@kcballet.org.
HISTORY: Kansas City Ballet was founded in 1957 by Madame Tatiana Dokoudovska, with a goal to bring a regular ballet presence to Kansas City. After years of growth and development, the 1976-1977 season would mark the entrance of the Kansas City Ballet to the ranks of professional ballet companies. Following Dokoudovska’s retirement in 1980, Todd Bolender became artistic director and driving force behind the Ballet’s development as a nationally renowned regional ballet company. Bolener’s successor William Whitener was committed to creating a repertory that was infused with contemporary work while maintaining traditional classics. Now under its fourth artistic director, Devon Carney continues the treasured tradition of the Kansas City Ballet.
WHERE TO GET DINNER: The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts is located next to several great dining options before the show. Grab drinks at the Kill Devil Club in the Kansas City Power & Light District, or enjoy an authentic Italian meal at Lidia’s, located in the Crossroads Art District.
WHAT’S NEARBY: Union Station, the Crossroads Arts District and the Kansas City Power and Light District are all less than 5 minutes from the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.
ANNUAL SPECIAL EVENTS: Held the first Friday of December, the Nutcracker Ball is the annual fundraising event for the Kansas City Ballet. Attended by more than 600 guests each year, this party is a highlight of the holiday season in Kansas City.
WHAT’S NEW: Artistic Director Devon Carey celebrated his 10 anniversary with Kansas City Ballet in 2023.
DON’T FORGET: The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts also currently houses performances of the Kansas City Lyric Opera and the Kansas City Symphony.
GROUP TOURS: Public and private tours of the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts are available with advanced reservations. Tours are approximately 60 minutes in length and led by a trained guide. Please note that due frequent changes in rehearsal schedules, tours through both performances halls cannot be guaranteed.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: Take the MAX to the Wyandotte and 16th Street.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS (Kauffman Center):
From the north: Take I-35 North, exit on West Pennway. Head east one block to Washington. Continue north to 17th Street and then east to the Kauffman Center.
From the south: Take I-35 South, exit on 20th Street. Head east to Broadway then north to the Kauffman Center.
From the east: Take I-670 East to I-35 South, exit on 20th Street. Head east to Broadway then north to the Kauffman Center.
From the west: Take I-70 West, exit on 13th Street or Locust/Truman Road. Continue west to Baltimore. Continue south to 17th Street and then west to the Kauffman Center.
PARKING: The Arts District parking garage, immediately south of – and underneath – the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, is the primary parking garage for Kansas City Ballet patrons. Event parking is $10 per car and is accessible from the east and south sides of the complex. Additional neighboring lots charge $5 to $10 to park. Street parking is metered but not enforced after 6 p.m., so arrive early to acquire those spots. Valet parking is also available for $18 in advance or $20 at the door. A benefit of being a subscriber is having the option of purchasing a season parking pass that will ensure a space in the Arts District garage. A parking pass with a 3-show subscription only costs $30 ($54 valet) for the season.
PUBLIC RELATIONS CONTACT: Ellen McDonald, publicist, 816-213-4355 or publicity@kcballet.org.
