Performances at the Kauffman Center

Artists from diverse styles perform 20-25 events each year in the Kauffman Center Presents series. Poet Rupi Kaur entertained a sold-out crowd in Helzberg Hall for the release of her second book.

The Kauffman Center hosts many special events throughout the year. During a 5-year celebration of the Center opening, singers from the Lyric Opera of Kansas City’s Resident Artist Program performed in Helzberg Hall.

Kansas City music and dance icons the McFadden Brothers – Lonnie and Ronnie McFadden – performed a concert for Kauffman Center members in Helzberg Hall.

Eclectic programming ranges from classics to contemporary ballets. Classic works have included “Romeo and Juliet,” featuring dancers Molly Wagner and Liang Fu.

Contemporary works have included “Diving Into the Lilacs,” with choreography by Yuri Possokhov. The ballet premiered in 2009, with its Kansas City Ballet premiere in May 2016.

Each Ballet season includes The Nutcracker—completely reimagined with new sets by Alain Vaes, costumes by Holly Hynes, lighting by Trad A Burns and choreography by Mr. Carney. The company was invited to perform this production of The Nutcracker in 2017 at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in D.C.

Dancers Lilliana Hagerman, Dillon Malinski and Ryan Jolicoeur-Nye perform "Petal,” with choreography by Helen Pickett.

The Kansas City Ballet Company has earned the respect of the national dance community as well as the city and region as an organization devoted to excellence, committed to the best interests of its artists and willing to take artistic risks.

Tatiana Dokoudovska founded Kansas City Ballet in 1957 with the goal of establishing a regular presence for ballet in the city. The Ballet celebrated its 60th Anniversary Diamond Jubilee season in 2017-2018, with performances including “Diamonds,” seen here.

During its 42-week season, the Symphony performs a wide variety of subscription, educational, touring and outreach concerts. In addition, the Kansas City Symphony performs with the Lyric Opera of Kansas City and the Kansas City Ballet.

Audience members gather in Brandmeyer Great Hall at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts before a performance by the Kansas City Symphony.

Music Director Michael Stern is in his 13th season with the Kansas City Symphony, hailed for its remarkable artistic ascent, original programming, organizational development and stability, and the extraordinary growth of its varied audiences since his tenure began.

Associate Conductor Jason Seber leads the Symphony in nearly 70 performances each season for Classics Uncorked, Pops, Family, Screenland at the Symphony and education concerts, as well as a multitude of other programs in the community.

Through interactive musical activities at Petite Performances, children learn about the instruments of the orchestra on stage in Helzberg Hall. Events include a brief performance and a hands-on introduction to the instruments through an instrument petting zoo.

During the popular Screenland at the Symphony series, the orchestra performs a live score to a full screening of fan-favorite movies.