First Position

First Position is a classical ballet that serves as a nostalgic meditation on the world of ballet training and artistry. Choreographed by William Whitener and set to music by Glazounov, the work draws inspiration from Whitener's own formative encounters with classical ballet as a young boy in the 1950s. Rather than telling a narrative story, the ballet explores the emotional and aesthetic dimensions of ballet technique itself—the discipline, grace, and transformative power of classical dance. Through carefully crafted movement phrases and classical vocabulary, Whitener creates a reminiscence that honors both the technical rigor and the poetic beauty inherent in ballet training. The work celebrates the traditions of classical ballet while reflecting on personal memory and artistic development. Created to commemorate the Kansas City Ballet's 50th anniversary, the ballet is dedicated to the company's founder Tatiana Dokoudovska and Artistic Director Emeritus Todd Bolender, serving as both a tribute to the institution and an exploration of ballet's enduring cultural significance.