Kansas City Ballet kicks off Super Bowl dance smackdown against Philadelphia Ballet

A rehearsal room at The Todd Bolender Center for Dance and Creativity was aflutter with activity Thursday afternoon as a team of videographers filmed a video challenging the Philadelphia Ballet to a Super Bowl dance-off.

Last year’s video, a challenge against the San Francisco Ballet, got nearly 1 million views on Instagram and TikTok.

Now, Artistic Director Devon Carney said it was time to raise the bar.

“Because it was so good, we’re a product of our own success,” Carney said. “Everybody knows we did it last year and it went viral and it’s still out there online, so we’ve really had to up our game.”

The ballet was able to borrow three Super Bowl rings and a Vince Lombardi Trophy owned by former Chiefs player John Lohmeyer, who played for the Chiefs from 1973-1977.

There’s also a guest appearance from Dana Jacobson, a host and correspondent for CBS News.

After the final pirouette, Carney said the team spirit in the room was inspiring. He said the dancers were eager to showcase their skills while rooting for their home team.

“It’s been a lot of work, but it’s been an awful lot of fun,” Carney said. “To be a part of something that is sort of a national experience in our own way and, of course, cheering on the Chiefs.”

Note: Kansas City Ballet is a financial supporter of KCUR. Our journalism is editorially independent of funders.

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