Kansas City Ballet history

The company moves to a small place on 45th street near the Nelson Atkins Museum in 1963.

In 1966, Nathalie Krassovska is first well-known guest artist and sets Anton Dolins’ Pas de Quatre.

In 1967, the Womens Committee forms – later to become the Ballet Guild.

In 1968, the company moves to Treadway Hall on the UMKC Campus.

In December 1972, KCB performs first Nutcracker.

Lyric Theatre designated as season performance home in 1975.

In 1976, Miss Tania steps down as artistic director of the Ballet so she can devote her time to teaching and continue her position as head of the ballet department at the Conservatory of Music

In April 1977 New York City Ballet dancer Patricia McBride performs her first full-length production of Giselle with KCB.

In 1979, the company moves to a warehouse under the Broadway Bridge at 3rd and Broadway.

In 1980, Todd Bolender—a former New York City Ballet dancer an international opera and ballet choreographer was chosen to lead.

In 1981, the company moves to the Westport Allen Center.

In 1982, Todd Bolender salutes his mentor, George Balanchine, by presenting a Balanchine Festival.

Kevin Amey joins KCB as company manager in February 1983.

In 1984, Bolender choreographs Voyager, a collaboration with internationally acclaimed Kansas City sculptor Dale Eldred to music by Leonard Bernstein.

During his tenure, in 1986 the company was renamed the State Ballet of Missouri following a joint venture with Dance St Louis.

Claudette Donlon joins KCB as general manager in 1987.

Alvin Ailey Coaches his ballet The River to KCB – the company’s first Ailey work in 1988.

Martin Cohen joins KCB as executive director in 1989.

In 1991, KCB premieres first work by Antony Tudor, Lilac Garden.

Bolender choreographs Coppelia in spring of 1993.

In 1994, Nutcracker scene sets redesigned by Robert Fletcher (artist/designer).

In 1995 with Bolender’s appointment to artistic director emeritus, William Whitener was appointed artistic director.

In 1996 William Whitener is selected as the new KCB artistic director.

In the spring of 1997, Whitener’s, The Scarlatti Dances, opens to rave reviews.

Jeffrey J. Bentley joins KCB as executive director in 1998.

In 1999, the company moves to 1601 Broadway in the old NCR Building.

In October 2000 Whitener co-choreographs On the Boulevard with Tharp colleague Shelley Freydont.

In the spring of 2002, Whitener garners national attention when he devises a program presenting six solos created by the legendary choreographers Lotte Goslar, Anna Sokolow, Merce Cunningham, Agnes de Mille, Daniel Nagrin, and Michel Fokine.

In 2003, Whitener adds Merce Cunningham’s Duets to the repertory.

MidWest Youth Ballet begins residency at Kansas City Ball School in September 2005.

In 2006, KCB announces plans to renovate the old Power House building at Union Station as their new permanent home.

Kansas City Ballet makes its debuts with the Joyce Theatre in New York City March 11-16, 2008, and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., June 12 & 14, 2008.

Christopher Barksdale retires in May 2009 after an illustrious 21-year career as a dancer with the company, having begun his training on scholarship at the Kansas City Ballet School.

In October 2011, Kansas City Ballet makes its debut as the resident dance company of the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts with William Whitener’s Tom Sawyer – A Ballet in 3 Acts.

Dancer Kimberly Cowen retires in May 2012 following a stellar 20-year career with the company.

On July 1, 2013, Devon Carney became Kansas City Ballet Artistic Director and brought with him to Kansas City a renewed excitement about the future of dance in the nation.

In February 2014, Michael Pink’s Dracula breaks all box office records for any KCB repertory show.

KCB unveils the world premiere of Artistic Director Devon Carney’s production of The Nutcracker in December 2015 to great acclaim.