Community Engagement and Education
Artist Conversations
We invite you to observe, participate and engage with us.
Kansas City Ballet is committed to sharing its joy of dance with everyone, and our artist conversations are an important component of our mission.
KCB Dancer Chats
KC Ballet Dancer Chats, a FREE community engagement and education series, are designed to engage the broader public with the professional dancers of Kansas City Ballet. Moderated by various members of the community, these chats provide a window into professional dancers’ lives, current creative work, and experiences.
All Dancer Chats take place on Facebook LIVE.
Dancer Chat: Peter Pan
Wednesday, February 7, 2024 • 6:30-7:15 p.m.
Virtual on Facebook LIVE
This Dancer Chat features three KCB company dancers chatting about their roles in KCB’s production of Peter Pan.
Dancer Chat: New Moves
Wednesday, March 13, 2024 • 6:30-7:15 p.m.
Virtual on Facebook LIVE
This Dancer Chat features three KCB company dancers chatting about their roles in KCB’s production of New Moves.
Dancer Chat: Jewels
Wednesday, May 1, 2024 • 6:30-7:15 p.m.
Virtual on Facebook LIVE
This Dancer Chat features three KCB company dancers chatting about their roles in KCB’s production of Jewels
Dance Speaks
As part of Kansas City Ballet’s commitment to engage the community-at-large, we offer a unique educational series titled DANCE SPEAKS, held at various community venues. Interesting panel discussions introduce the community to upcoming ballets, guest choreographers, and stagers. Includes audience Q and A with artists and an invitation to Kansas City Ballet’s company rehearsals prior to specific Dance Speaks! Check out our upcoming Dance Speaks below and watch past Dance Speaks by scrolling down on this page.e
Dance Speaks: Peter Pan
Wednesday, January 31, 2024
Frost Studio Theater | Todd Bolender Center for Dance & Creativity
5:15-6:00 p.m. | Peter Pan Rehearsal
6:00-7:00 p.m. | Dance Speaks Panel
Get a sneak peek of a Peter Pan rehearsal and gain insightful information regarding the ballet production. Kansas City Ballet Artistic Director/Choreographer Devon Carney and special guests (TBD) invite you to join them in an engaging conversation inspired by this family-friendly work! Moderated by Artistic Director Devon Carney, the panel activity includes an audience Q and A. Tickets $12 each.
Dance Speaks: New Voices, New Moves
Wednesday, March 6, 2024
Location TBA
6:30-7:30 p.m. | Dance Speaks Panel
Kansas City Ballet Artistic Director Devon Carney and New Moves’ cutting-edge choreographers invite Dance Speaks patrons to join them in an engaging conversation inspired by the creative process and the creation of original contemporary ballets on KC Ballet. Moderated by Artistic Director Devon Carney, the panel activity includes an audience Q and A. Tickets $12 each
Dance Speaks: Jewels
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
Frost Studio Theater | Todd Bolender Center for Dance & Creativity
5:15-6:00 p.m. | Jewels Rehearsal
6:00-7:00 p.m. | Dance Speaks Panel
Kansas City Ballet Artistic Director Devon Carney invites Dance Speaks patrons to join him and guest stagers Jenifer Ringer and Victoria Simon in an engaging conversation inspired by the ballet Jewels. Get a sneak peek beforehand of a company rehearsal of Jewels and gain inside information about the production. The program includes an audience Q and A. Tickets $12 each.
Stories of Resiliency: Black Dancers in the American Ballet World in KC
Four professional black dancers living and working in Kansas City share their journeys in navigating dance careers in the American Ballet World.
Moderated by Allan S. Gray II, a respected Kansas City business professional, and community leader, each panelist will impart their unique dance experiences, and perspectives on diversity, inclusion, and equity in ballet and respond to questions from the community sent in advance of the panel, as well as during the panel.
Panelists Include: April Berry, Karen Brown, Josh Bodden, Whitney Huell
