Kansas City PBS is proud to announce the premiere of Dreaming the Dance: Backstage at The Nutcracker, a captivating new documentary directed by Brad Austin that delves into the intricate and often unseen world behind the Kansas City Ballet's iconic production of The Nutcracker. Filmed on-site at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, Dreaming the Dance offers an unvarnished look at the complex ballet production process.
Director Brad Austin captures the human stories and meticulous efforts that culminate in a perfect symphony of movement, music, and stagecraft. "This film is a tribute to the passion and dedication that goes into creating a world-class ballet," says Austin. "We wanted to peel back the curtain and show audiences that a single performance is truly a collaborative masterpiece, uniting a community through a shared cultural experience."
The film features a myriad of essential behind-the-scenes experts like and illuminates how every individual role – in addition to and beyond the dancers - is a vital thread in the elaborate tapestry of artistry and coordination required to bring The Nutcracker to life.
"Projects like Dreaming the Dance exemplify exactly what we want our local documentaries to succeed at,” says Kliff Kuehl, Kansas City PBS president and CEO. “The film highlights the local staple that is the Kansas City Ballet and goes deeper into a beloved holiday tradition turning it into an insightful exploration of collaborative genius.
In collaboration with the Kansas City Ballet, Kansas City PBS is hosting a special screening of Dreaming the Dance at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025. The screening will be followed by an exclusive talkback session with key figures from the film and Director Brad Austin. The event is free, but an RSVP is required. To register, visit kansascitypbs.org/events.
Dreaming the Dance: Backstage at The Nutcracker airs on Kansas City PBS Channel 19.1 on Thursday, Nov. 20, at 7 p.m. Learn more about the film and stream it after November 20 at kansascitypbs.org/dreamingthedance.
Husch Blackwell and the Muriel McBrien Kauffman Family Foundation provided support for this program.