What begins as a single night out can sometimes change everything. For Craig Coen, it was a fall 2024 performance of Alice in Wonderland that first sparked his curiosity about Kansas City Ballet. He soon convinced his spouse Jeffrey Bellamy to join him for Don Quixote — and that night together sealed it. The two quickly went from first-timers to devoted subscribers and proud new members of The Bolender Society. In the Q&A below, they share what drew them in, what has surprised them most, and why they’re encouraging others to take that same leap.
What first drew you to Kansas City Ballet, and what made you decide to become subscribers and join The Bolender Society this season?
I (Craig) first attended a performance of Alice (in wonderland) with a friend in fall 2024 and was instantly hooked. I quickly convinced Jeffrey to join me for Don Quixote, which officially sparked our love affair with the ballet and turned into our regular Friday date nights for the 2025–2026 season. We were completely astonished and mesmerized by the dancers’ incredible versatility and their profound ability to convey emotion and storytelling. That inspiration led us to elevate our passive nights out into active support. We want to champion an organization that brings us so much joy and entertainment, and do our part to help others discover the magic of ballet.
Now that you’ve experienced Kansas City Ballet as Bolender Society members, what has surprised you most, whether it’s a performance, a behind-the-scenes moment, or the community you’ve found?
While we could easily watch the stunning production of The Great Gatsby over and over, our most surprising highlight was how much we loved KCBII‘s Family Series performance of Snow White. Seeing the exceptional talent of the Second Company deepened our desire to support the ballet through The Bolender Society, knowing our gifts directly impact young trainees and the future artistic growth of the company. We are already looking forward to next season’s Family Series production of Pinocchio!
What do you hope your support means for the future of Kansas City Ballet, and what would you say to someone who’s considering getting more involved?
We strongly encourage others to take that next step and join us in partnering with the Kansas City Ballet through The Bolender Society. As newcomers, we have been welcomed with open arms and immense warmth. We are so excited for the unique opportunities ahead, like attending working rehearsals at the Todd Bolender Center for Dance & Creativity to see the incredible sweat, grit, and dedication of the dancers up close. Your involvement helps secure the future of this vibrant company.
To learn more about The Bolender Society, contact Director of Individual Giving Kelly Adrian at 816.216.5582 or kadrian@kcballet.org. To subscribe, contact the Kansas City Ballet Ticket Office at 816.931.8993.
Header image: Craig Coen and Jeffrey Bellamy. Photo courtesy of Craig Coen and Jeffrey Bellamy.
