Todd Bolender (1914-2006) was a pivotal figure in the world of ballet, celebrated for his leadership, artistry, and dedication to the art form. He served as the Artistic Director of Kansas City Ballet from 1980 to 1995, where he built a company, repertoire and school. From 1996 to 2006, he held the title of Director Emeritus. Bolender once remarked: “Kansas City has, at last, begun to do something about dance…to regard ballet as a serious and essential part of the art world…necessary, important, and here to stay.”
Here are ten essential facts about his remarkable career:
1 – Influential in American Ballet
Bolender is widely recognized as a foundational figure in shaping classical dance and ballet as distinct American art forms.
2 – Training Under Balanchine and Other Greats
He studied under George Balanchine and originated major roles in Balanchine’s landmark ballets, The Four Temperaments and Agon. He also danced in Jerome Robbins’ works, Age of Anxiety, Fanfare and The Concert.
3 – Career with Balanchine’s Companies
Bolender danced with all of Balanchine’s ballet companies, starting with American Ballet Caravan in 1941 and continuing through Ballet Society and New York City Ballet.
4 – Founding Member of New York City Ballet
He was an original member of New York City Ballet when it was founded in 1948 and remained with the Company until 1962.
5 – Preserving Balanchine’s Legacy
Bolender actively contributed to preserving Balanchine’s work by coaching dancers for the Balanchine Foundation’s Film Archive, which included reconstructing Renard with Kansas City Ballet Dancers.
6 – Prolific Choreographer
Over his career, Bolender choreographed nearly three dozen ballets, with works performed by New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, and Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, among others.
7 – Broad Artistic Contributions
His choreography extended beyond ballet to musical theater, opera, and television, including productions of My Fair Lady, Fiddler on the Roof, Man of La Mancha, and Showboat.
8 – Associations with Composers
Bolender cultivated relationships with composers such as Igor Stravinsky and Aaron Copeland, the latter of whom composed the iconic western ballet Rodeo.
9 – Lifetime Achievement Award
In 2006, he received the prestigious Dance Magazine Award, honoring lifetime contributions to the art of dance.
10 – Legacy at Kansas City Ballet
- The Todd Bolender Center for Dance & Creativity, the Kansas City Ballet’s home since August 26, 2011, was named in his honor.
- Kansas City Ballet performed its final Nutcracker with Bolender’s choreography during the 2014 winter season, after 34 successful years.
- His personal papers and artifacts are preserved in the Bolender Collection of the Kansas City Ballet Archives, documenting his career, with the majority of materials dating after 1960.
Header image: Todd Bolender. Photo by Jim Sczepanski.
