“In today’s fast-paced world, many young people may never experience the magic of art,” says Beauty and the Beast choreographer Bruce Wells. “Art enriches our lives – without it, something is missing.”
That belief drives Bruce’s work, especially his passion for making ballet accessible to young audiences. His shorter, narrated productions, like the upcoming Beauty and the Beast, break down barriers to attendance and invite families into the world of dance.
This approach aligns with Kansas City Ballet’s long-term strategic plan – expanding programming to attract not just younger audiences, but new audiences of all kinds. The launch of the Family Series is a key initiative in this effort, ensuring ballet remains vibrant and relevant for future generations.
Investing in Ballet’s Future
“To keep ballet thriving, KC Ballet must actively cultivate the next generation of audiences,” says Artistic Director Devon Carney. “By offering productions for families, we’re making ballet more inviting and accessible – especially to those who may be experiencing it for the first time. These performances provide an entry point we hope will spark a lifelong love of dance.”
With shows like Beauty and the Beast, the Ballet is lowering barriers to attendance and creating engaging experiences for busy families. The Family Series is part of a larger vision to expand community engagement and sustain ballet for years to come.
Key funding, including the Tannye Shafran Fund for Audience Development and support from The Richard J. Stern Foundation for the Arts, Commerce Bank trustee, plays a vital role in making these efforts possible. These gifts help the Ballet introduce new audiences to dance and expand access to the arts.
Bruce Wells: Creating Ballet for Families
Bruce Wells, a former New York City Ballet dancer under the legendary George Balanchine, brings a deep understanding of ballet’s traditions as well as its potential to inspire new generations.
To make ballet more accessible to families, Bruce has choreographed several entry-level family productions tailored to younger audiences. These shorter performances condense ballets into engaging, under-one-hour experiences with live narration.
“I take a ballet that’s three hours long and turn it into something manageable,” Bruce explains. “It’s more attractive to families with young kids and gives them exactly what they’d expect from ballet. These productions are the perfect way for anyone curious about ballet to dive in.”
A Family-Friendly Take on Beauty and the Beast
Bruce’s version of Beauty and the Beast, running six performances February 21-23 at the historic Folly Theater, marks the launch of KC Ballet’s new Family Series. Performed by KC Ballet’s Second Company, this retelling captures the timeless tale of a prince cursed to live as a beast, Belle’s discovery of his kindness, and their journey to true love. Watch a teaser for Beauty and the Beast.
Bruce explains that his version of Beauty and the Beast coincided with Disney’s animated classic. “When Disney produced their version, I felt I had to pay homage to it in some way,” he shares. “That’s why I included Gaston as the antagonist and gave Belle the iconic yellow dress. Those elements make it familiar to kids and families.”
For Bruce, choosing well-known stories like Beauty and the Beast is intentional. “I like to pick stories people already recognize,” he says. “It makes it easier to bring in families and audience members who might not otherwise come to a ballet. Hopefully, they’ll enjoy it and grow to appreciate more sophisticated productions.”
Bringing the Story to Life
Wells himself provides the live narration during the performance. “It’s about telling the story quickly while making it clear and engaging for younger audiences,” he explains. “And let’s be honest – it also helps fathers who might not be used to going to the ballet!”
The production not only draws in new audiences with its shorter format but gives sixteen Level 3 Kansas City Ballet School students the chance to perform on stage.
“There’s a special synergy between the kids in the audience and the kids on stage,” Bruce says. “The energy flows back and forth. You can see it in the audience when they think, ‘If she can do that, I can do that.’ That’s the magic of these performances.”
A Fresh Take for Every Stage
Bruce has collaborated with numerous ballet companies nationwide to stage his version of Beauty and the Beast, originally created for the Atlanta Ballet. While the production has been performed many times, each staging brings something unique.
“Every arts organization has its own personality,” he explains. “The dancers bring their own unique contributions to the production, which evolves to fit them. It’s like sculpting – the ballet takes shape based on the dancers’ individual strengths and interpretations.”
Inspiring Future Audiences
This production of Beauty and the Beast is a prime example of how the Tannye Shafran Fund for Audience Development supports KC Ballet’s mission to introduce new audiences to the beauty of ballet. Established by Bolender Society member Zack Shafran in honor of his mother, the Fund reflects her lifelong passion for ballet and the arts.
Recently, the Fund supported the Ballet’s efforts to reconnect with past ticket buyers, encouraging them to return and experience Beauty and the Beast or another one of this season’s performances.
“Through this Fund, we hope to inspire others to experience power and passion of dance,” Zack shares. He and his daughter Camille recently spoke with KC Ballet about their love of ballet and the lasting legacy his mother created. Watch their story here.
Make a gift that reflects your passion. Named Funds at KC Ballet empower you to support the areas that matter most to you – whether it’s audience development, high-quality training, or artistic excellence. Create a lasting impact in a way that is meaningful to you. To learn more or customize your own fund, contact the Ballet’s Philanthropy team at impact@kcballet.org or 816-216-5612.
PURCHASE TICKETS TO BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
Header image: Bruce Wells stages his version of Beauty and the Beast with Second Company dancers. Photo by Nicole Dolan.
