UMKC dancers in KC Ballet spring 2008 production of Romeo and Juliet

UMKC Dancers in KC Ballet Performance

Romeo and Juliet :: roles for six UMKC dancers - Spring 2008

April / May 2008
Music Hall, Kansas City, Missouri

Sam Lopp, Erik Sobbe and Mike Tomlinson dressed as guards

(left) Ben Biswell (as the Prince of Verona) and (right) Matt Carney (as Lord Montague, sans hat so far) with associate ballet mistress Lisa Thorn. Ben and Matt are graduating seniors this spring. The chin foliage is freshly glued on.

Will Smith (as a guard) with Kansas City Ballet dancer Paris Wilcox (as Lord Capulet)

Six dancers from the University of Missouri Kansas City Conservatory Dance Department received roles in the spring 2008 production of Romeo and Juliet - Choreography by Ib Anderson, music by Sergei Prokofiev.

Graduating seniors Ben Biswell and Matt Carney were outfitted with costumes and chin foliage as the Prince of Verona and Lord Montague (respectively). The prince's four guards were played by Sam Lopp, Will Smith, Erik Sobbe and Mike Tomlinson.

Ben and Matt hamming it up

Sam Lopp, Erik Sobbe and Mike Tomlinson

Will Smith as a guard

Ben Biswell getting made up

Ben with makeup, ready for his costume

Sam Lopp, Erik Sobbe (below) and Mike Tomlinson - as guards

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UMKC Dance Division page links on this site

UMKC Dance Division moments between studio classes

Dance Division moments between studio classes

Fall Concerts
With staff and guest choreography

November 2017
November 2016
November 2015
November 2013
November 2012
November 2011
November 2010
November 2009
November 2008
November 2007
November 2006
November 2005

Spring Concerts
Held every April with staff and visiting choreography. A showcase for the year.

April 2017
April 2016
April 2014
April 2012
April 2011
April 2010
April 2008
April 2007

Other Dance Concerts and Dance Division Events at UMKC
Held every April with staff and visiting choreography. A showcase for the year.

Carmina Burana
CORPS de Ballet 2011 Conference with the introduction of the Tudor Curriculum
Battleworks Concert - 25 October 2008
UMKC Master Class with Robert Battle - 20-24 Oct 2008
Note: as of spring 2011 Robert Battle took over as Artistic Director of Alvin Ailey from the retiring Judith Jamison.
Master Class with Donald McKayle - August 2006
100th Year Anniversaryof the Conservatory - April 2006

Senior Recitals
These are held in the winter semester and the graduating seniors begin signups and rehearsals early in the fall semester. This is one of their last graded works. Each senior choreographs and directs a group piece and performs in a solo which may be self-choreography or another's and may also be a duet if there is a large enough mix of solo to duet.

There are a number of recital concerts, depending on the total number of seniors. Generally the mid-week concerts have in-town seniors while those with families out of town are scheduled for Saturdays so relatives can attend.

Senior Recital 2012
Senior Recital 2011
Senior Recital 2008
Senior Recital 2007
Senior Recital 2005

Related Links
Non-UMKC events which have UMKC dancers, staff or visiting artists.

Don McKayle talk 24 Jan 2008 at Public Library, KCMO about Kansas City Ballet piece he was commisioned to create.
UMKC guys in Romeo and Juliet at Kansas City Ballet Spring 2008 backstage in costumes.
Wylliams/Henry Sept 2006 and "Games ," choreography Donald McKayle.

For some of the least expensive, good dance entertainment in Kansas City the University of Missouri Kansas City's Conservatory of Dance and Music's Dance Division offers some of the best young adult dancers in the area. UMKC's Dance Division is among the top dance schools in the country. Those of us who live in this area often miss that distinction but people elsewhere know (isn't it always so?).