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.
KCB Dancer Chat: Giselle
Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2022, 6:30-7:15 p.m.
Virtual on Facebook LIVE
This FREE community engagement and education series is designed to provide the broader public with an opportunity to engage with and learn more about professional dancers from Kansas City Ballet. This Dancer Chat features three KCB company dancers chatting about their roles in KCB’s production of Giselle and sharing interesting aspects of their life journeys and dance experiences. This relaxed, informal conversation will be moderated by a Kansas City community professional.
KCB Dancer Chat: The Nutcracker
Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022, 6:30-7:15 p.m.
Virtual on Facebook LIVE
This FREE community engagement and education series is designed to provide the broader public with an opportunity to engage with and learn more about professional dancers from Kansas City Ballet. This Dancer Chat features three KCB company dancers chatting about their roles in KCB’s production of The Nutcracker and sharing interesting aspects of their life journeys and dance experiences. This relaxed, informal conversation will be moderated by a Kansas City community professional.
KCB Dancer Chat: Cinderella
Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023, 6:30-7:15 p.m.
Virtual on Facebook LIVE
This FREE community engagement and education series is designed to provide the broader public with an opportunity to engage with and learn more about professional dancers from Kansas City Ballet. This Dancer Chat features three KCB company dancers chatting about their roles in KCB’s production of Cinderella and sharing interesting aspects of their life journeys and dance experiences. This relaxed, informal conversation will be moderated by a Kansas City community professional.
KCB Dancer Chat: New Moves
Wednesday, March 8, 2023, 6:30-7:15 p.m.
Virtual on Facebook LIVE
This FREE community engagement and education series is designed to provide the broader public with an opportunity to engage with and learn more about professional dancers from Kansas City Ballet. This Dancer Chat features three KCB company dancers chatting about their roles in KCB’s production of New Moves and sharing interesting aspects of their life journeys and dance experiences. This relaxed, informal conversation will be moderated by a Kansas City community professional.
KCB Dancer Chat: Bliss Point
Wednesday, May 3, 2023, 6:30-7:15 p.m.
Virtual on Facebook LIVE
This FREE community engagement and education series is designed to provide the broader public with an opportunity to engage with and learn more about professional dancers from Kansas City Ballet. This Dancer Chat features three KCB company dancers chatting about their roles in KCB’s production of Bliss Point and sharing interesting aspects of their life journeys and dance experiences. This relaxed, informal conversation will be moderated by a Kansas City community professional.
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 live online or 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.
Dance Speaks: Giselle
Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022
Frost Studio Theater | Todd Bolender Center for Dance & Creativity
5:15-6:00 p.m. | Giselle Rehearsal
6:00-7:00 p.m. | Dance Speaks Panel
Kansas City Ballet Artistic Director/Choreographer Devon Carney invites Dance Speaks patrons to join him and guests (TBD) in an engaging conversation inspired by the ballet, Giselle. Get a sneak peek beforehand of a company rehearsal of Giselle and gain inside information about the production. The program includes an audience Q and A.
Dance Speaks: Cinderella
Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023
Frost Studio Theater | Todd Bolender Center for Dance & Creativity
5:15-6:00 p.m. | Cinderella Rehearsal
6:00-7:00 p.m. | Dance Speaks Panel
Get a sneak peek of a Cinderella rehearsal and gain insightful information regarding the ballet production. Kansas City Ballet Artistic Director Devon Carney and special guests (TBD) invite you to join them in an engaging conversation inspired by this enchanting work! The program includes an audience Q and A.
Dance Speaks: New Voices, New Moves
Wednesday, March 15, 2023
Hilliard Gallery | 1820 McGee St, Kansas City, MO 64108
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 their creative process and the creation of original contemporary ballets on KC Ballet. The program includes an audience Q and A.
Dance Speaks: Bliss Point (Spring Mixed Repertory)
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
Frost Studio Theater | Todd Bolender Center for Dance & Creativity
5:15-6:00 p.m. | Bliss Point Rehearsal
6:00-7:00 p.m. | Dance Speaks Panel
Kansas City Ballet Artistic Director Devon Carney and special guests Cacti ballet stager Ana Marie Lucaciu and Petite Mort ballet stager Elke Scheppers invite Dance Speaks patrons to join them in an engaging conversation inspired by these two contemporary ballets. Get a sneak peek beforehand of a spring mixed repertory rehearsal and gain inside information regarding the production. The program includes an audience Q and A.
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
