Ballet Under the Stars

For more information about Ballet Under the Stars and affiliated programs click to expand the sections below. 

At this unique event, audiences experience a night of professional ballet, complete with stage, lighting and costumes in the unique setting of Woodland Park. The five night event begins each evening with a pre-show youth production at 8 p.m. This year’s pre-show will be Ballet 13: A Tribute to Taylor Swift, featuring dances with music from Taylor Swift's iconic discography. The main show featuring professional dancers from Kentucky Ballet Theatre begins at 9 p.m.

This years event will take place July 31 – Aug. 4, 2024 (performances each night)
Gates open: 6 p.m. | Preshow: 8 p.m. | Main Curtain: 9 p.m. 

$9 per person (including tax); children 3 and under are admitted for free 
Tickets may be purchased at the gate – cash, check or credit accepted.
Advance purchase of tickets is not available.

Please note: patrons are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating, and may pack a picnic dinner or purchase concessions onsite. For more information, call (859) 425-2057.

The Ballet Under the Stars pre-show is a children's ballet and community ballet theater featuring young dancers from Lexington and surrounding counties. This year’s pre-show production will be Ballet 13: A Tribute to Taylor Swift, featuring music from Taylor Swift's iconic discography.

In addition to the children's ballet, we also have themed tea parties each year before the show. Learn more about this year's Swif-Tea tea parties below.

All interested ballet students between the ages of 7 and 18 who have had at least three years of ballet classes are invited to audition. We can accommodate a limited number of dancers for this production and cuts will be made if we exceed the maximum number of dancers. This is a competitive process; not all children are guaranteed a role.

Registration and audition dates and times

Ages 7 – 8 

Date: April 27
Registration: 9 a.m.
Audition: 9:30 – 11 a.m.

Ages 11 – 13

Date: April 27
Registration: 10:30 a.m.
Audition: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Ages 9 – 10

Date: April 28
Registration: 12:30 p.m.
Audition: 1 – 2:30 p.m.

Ages 14 & up

Date: April 28
Registration: 2 p.m.
Audition: 2:30 – 4:30 p.m.

For more information and to fill out an application, visit the link below: 

Audition application

Participation fee

Payment is due at the start of auditions.
All ages: $80 (cash, check or credit card)

The fee covers the cost of the rehearsals, costume rental and production. No refunds will be issued after rehearsals are complete, costumes are assigned or classes have begun.

Event Contact: Mindy Sone, mindys@lexingtonky.gov, (859) 425-2057

Join us for a Swif-Tea party in conjunction with the Ballet Under the Stars pre-show.

Before the ballet, children can join in for a magical, fun-filled event! All of the little ones will learn a special dance while enjoying festive foods, Taylor Swift crafts, music and games and a meet and greet with a selection of dancers from the cast. Attendees may bring their camera to take a picture with the characters. 

Note: Tickets cover the child’s admission to the Ballet Under the Stars show. For those accompanying the children to the evening's Ballet Under the Stars performance, admission is $9 per person and may be purchased upon arrival at the tea party.

Registration opens June 17 and will be filled first-come, first-served.

Tea Parties will take place Friday, Aug. 2 and Saturday, Aug. 3 | 6 – 7 p.m.
For children ages 3 – 8 years old (suggested)
$16 per child (including tax) | No charge for a guardian to attend tea party. Ballet admission for adults is required for the show. 

Register