The Louisville Ballet is the official ballet company of the state of Kentucky. On this episode of Inside Louisville, host Kelsey Starks talks with Leslie Smart, executive director of Louisville Ballet, about the history of the fifth oldest ballet in the country, how they are doing a graceful pivot in the face of a major funding shortage, and what the future holds for the performing arts institution.  Plus, we go backstage at The Nutcracker to see how the magic comes to life on stage. 

Inside Louisville 
KET Sunday, Dec. 17 • Noon/11 am
KET2 Monday, Dec. 18 • 7/6 pm
Watch on-demand at KET.org and on the PBS app

Inside Louisville, hosted by Kelsey Starks, is a KET production that features conversations with Louisville’s biggest newsmakers and personalities, celebrating the people, places and traditions that make the River City such a vibrant and diverse community. The half-hour weekly program also features stories that explore Kentucky’s largest city, spotlighting its neighborhoods, nightlife and noteworthy attractions.

For behind-the-scenes footage and photographs, be sure to follow Inside Louisville’s Instagram feed at Instagram.com/KETinLou.

KET is Kentucky’s largest classroom, where learning comes to life for more than two million people each week via television, online and mobile. Learn more about Kentucky’s preeminent public media organization at KET.org, on Twitter @KET and at facebook.com/KET.