Kansas City Ballet Debuts The Wizard of Oz
The production returns to the Kauffman Center stage with elaborate custom costumes and hand-adorned ruby slippers.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Dance
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The Kansas City Ballet has officially opened its production of The Wizard of Oz at the Kauffman Center. The run features intricate costume designs, including ruby-red pointe shoes meticulously crafted to catch light for the audience.
Why it matters
The detailed costuming ensures that dancers remain visible from the back of the balcony while maintaining safety standards for performance. Using rhinestones instead of traditional sequins provides superior light reflection without the risk of sharp edges causing injury.
The production utilizes a total of 1,728 glass rhinestones across 12 stage-ready pointe shoes. Costume staff also hand-painted nearly 200 pairs of shoes in 23 different colors to support the show.
The players
Kansas City Ballet
This professional ballet company is based in Kansas City and performs at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.
Jennifer Carroll
She serves as the Costume Director for the Kansas City Ballet and oversees the intricate design and maintenance of production footwear.
The details
Costume Director Jennifer Carroll glues 144 individual rhinestones onto each pointe shoe using a long pair of tweezers. She intentionally avoids the toe of the shoe to ensure dancers do not slip during their performance.
Timeline
The production originally premiered in 2018 at the Kauffman Center.
The current run takes place from October 16 to October 25, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
This production follows the design standards for stage visibility established during the 2023 Kansas City Ballet production of Cinderella. Elaborate prop and costume fabrication remains a key strategy for attracting audiences in the competitive regional arts market.
The show is double cast and will run at the Kauffman Center through October 25. Attendees can view the performance details and schedule on the company website.
The takeaway
The production highlights the intense technical preparation required for professional ballet costumes to meet both aesthetic and safety goals. Audience members benefit from these detailed craft choices through enhanced visual clarity during the performance.
Further reading
For more information on upcoming performances, visit the Dance section of our site.
More information
Find scheduling and ticket details via the Kansas City Ballet event information.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KCUR 89.3 - NPR in Kansas City. Local news, entertainment and podcasts..
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