Performance

As part of the 50-state tour called "Arts in Crisis," John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts President Michael Kaiser stopped in Kansas City, Missouri.

By Laura Spencer

Kansas City, MO – Here, the Kennedy Center's Michael Kaiser talks to Kansas City Symphony Music Director Michael Stern and takes questions from the audience. In this segment, Kaiser lists 10 rules that should apply to every arts organization.

Friday, November 13, 2009 marked the remodeling equivalent of a ground-breaking for a new home for the Kansas City Ballet.

By Steve Bell

Kansas City, MO – Friday, November 13, 2009 marked the remodeling equivalent of a ground-breaking for a new home for the Kansas City Ballet.

The building known as the Power House, west of Union Station will be transformed into the Todd Bolender Center for Dance and Creativity, a 60,000 square-foot facility for rehearsing, costuming and other aspects of the ballet's operation.

For the past three decades, choreographer Liz Lerman has viewed dance as a way to address political and social issues. Lerman's works have explored Reaganomics, the impact of coal mining on a community, and ancient and contemporary prayer.

By Laura Spencer

Kansas City, MO – This weekend, her company, Liz Lerman Dance Exchange, brings a dance about the human genome called "Ferocious Beauty: Genome" to Lawrence.

Contemporary choreographer Jessica Lang's works have been described as passionate with almost tangible emotions in performance. Lang's pas de deux, or dance for two, called "Splendid Isolation III" is included in the Kansas City Ballet's fall program.

By Laura Spencer

Kansas City, MO – Some might argue there's a third character: a long white skirt. KCUR's Laura Spencer visited a rehearsal at the Ballet studios recently and provides this preview.

Ballet choreographer Todd Bolender spent his life in dance. In 1981, he was named Artistic Director of the Kansas City Ballet Company. He spent the remaining years of his life working to bring this form of dance to a wider midwestern audience.

Todd Bolender, a Retrospective
(The Walt Bodine Show, 10-12-09) The Kansas City Ballet is now dedicating the new Todd Bolender Center for Dance and Creativity in his honor. Tune in as we discuss Bolender's life and works, and the legacy he has left behind.

Renovations are underway for something the Kansas City Ballet, in its 52-year history, has never had: a permanent home.

By Laura Spencer

Kansas City, MO – The Todd Bolender Center for Dance and Creativity, slated to open in 2011, will be located in the Union Station Power House building. The historic power plant will house the Ballet's school and seven studios.

Kansas City, MO – Kansas City Ballet officials announced Wednesday that renovations are underway at the new permanent home for the company.

The Todd Bolender Center for Dance and Creativity, slated to open in 2011, will be located in the Union Station Power House building. The historic 1914 power plant will house the Ballet's school and seven studios, including one that doubles as a 180-seat theater.