BalletFools
An Adult Ballet Dancer Performance Company
BalletFools is a contemporary comedy ballet ensemble based in Charlotte, NC and comprised of dancers who either started "late" or returned to ballet after what they feel was a seriously long break!
We create original works, combining classical technique with contemporary movement and modern storytelling.
We're funny and we're dancers but, unlike the insanely famous Trockadero de Monte Carlo, our audience doesn't need to be familiar with ballet to get the jokes! Stylistically, we perform contemporary ballet choreography, heavily influenced by musical theatre movement, and set to Broadway's funniest songs.
An independently-funded chamber company, BalletFools was conceptualized and is lead by Artistic Director Shon Wilson. Our dancers and creative team collaborate with Charlotte's most innovative artists to reimagine the songs you love for the ballet stage.
Come have fun at the ballet with us!
Artistic Director, Shon Wilson
Shon Wilson is a choreographer and performer with 30+ years of professional experience in dance, theatre, film, television, and voiceover. She is a classically trained ballet dancer and holds a Bachelor's Degree in Musical Theatre Performance from American University. In addition to leading BalletFools she is also a Principal Dancer with the company.
Currently an instructor in residence at Open Door Studios in Charlotte, Shon has previously worked with Pacific Ballet Dance Theatre/Media City Dance and Exceleration Studios in L.A., as well as some of Charlotte’s most notable arts organizations including Charlotte City Ballet, Sullivan Dance Centre, The Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, Lumi School of Musical Theatre, and the Afro-American Cultural Center (legacy). In addition to the requirements for her performance degree, she trained at Edge Performing Arts Center, Millennium Dance Complex, Westside Ballet, Charlotte City Ballet under the direction of Melissa Hale Coyle and Lisa Leone, Media City Dance, Sun King Dance and Sullivan Dance Centre. And she loves taking regular classes with her colleagues at Open Door!
Shon has received several awards and nominations for her over 100 stage performances as an actor. Her favorite theatre roles so far have been Lady Macbeth with the North Carolina Shakespeare Festival, Helena in Epic Arts Repertory Theatre’s Midsummer Night’s Musical, The Boy in Children’s Theatre of Charlotte’s Velveteen Rabbit, and Vixen in The Eight Reindeer Monologues, which she performed at the EXTREMELY missed Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte.
Shon’s L.A. theatre credits include the female lead Kate in Sylvia by A.R. Gurney, Jr. and a lead role in the world premiere of #WhenLivesMatter directed by Monti Washington. During her 13 years in Los Angeles, Shon also acted in film and TV projects for several major networks and studios. She’s co-starred with Larry David on Curb Your Enthusiasm and was a frequent collaborator with Mercedes Bryce Morgan who tapped Shon for a supporting role in AMC/Shudder's Spoonful of Sugar and a special appearance in the official music video Marshmello feat. Bastille: Happier, which received a 2019 MTV Video Music Awards nomination. Shon also starred opposite Suzanne Cryer and Rumer Willis in the film Six Letter Word, which screened at the Cannes Film Festival.
In 2023, Shon had the honor of two feature films premiering on the same night - one on each coast! Summer of Violence, in which she had a lead role opposite Black Lightning’s Damon Gupton, opened in Los Angeles at the DTLA Film Festival and took home the Best Picture Award. At the same exact time, It’s Not About You screened at the 168 Film Festival in Atlanta, giving Shon a Best Actress nomination for her performance as the star of that film. Earlier in 2023, Summer of Violence also had an extremely successful debut at Cannes.
During her years as a performer, Shon was also developing a reputation as an empowering and FUN teaching artist to students in both California and North Carolina! In her experience passing on the traditions of dance, acting, and vocal music she's directed full-length shows for Fort Mill Community Playhouse, as well as her own production company, and served as choreographer and musical director for several productions for The Ballantyne Arts Center.
Alyssa Buelow
Associate Choreographer
Alyssa Buelow is the Associate Choreographer for BalletFools and a Principal Dancer performing with the company. She also serves as the Assistant Artistic Director for The Garrison Experience, a jazz-influenced 501(c)(3) based at Open Door Studios. Ms. Buelow has been involved in the theatre/dance world for over 15 years, and has extensive training in ballet, jazz, tap, Horton, musical theatre, and contemporary dance. She has been involved in numerous theatre and dance productions, ranging from school productions to professional level. In addition, she is a classically trained vocalist, trained at the award-winning Bak School of the Arts in Palm Beach, FL.
Most recently, Alyssa performed with the Garrison Experience at the Boom/Fringe and Taste of Charlotte festivals. When she is forced to work outside the arts, Alyssa is a dispatcher/trainer for 911 in Charlotte.
Kazzy Rhodes
Soloist
A lifelong performer, Kazzy’s journey spans tap, jazz, ballet, line dancing, theater, and classical vocal training as a mezzo-soprano at Queens University. Her early career also took her behind the mic, studying under radio pioneer “Chatty Hatty” Leeper and working as a morning talk show co-host, commercial copywriter, and producer for local sports broadcasts.
After taking a significant intermission to focus on family and homeschooling, Kazzy has happily returned to her roots in the adult dance program at Open Door Studios. When she isn’t busy dancing, you’ll find her at the bowling alley, crafting, or playing video games.
Taeler Varner
Company Dancer
Taeler began her ballet training at the age of 19 at the Russian Ballet Academy of Michigan under the instruction of ballet master Nikolai Morschakov. Shaped by the artistry, musicality, and expressive qualities of Russian ballet, Taeler has maintained a passion for classical ballet. Her training includes gymnastics, Horton technique, acro, and contemporary dance.
She then studied yoga at the White Lotus Institute, and went on to own and operate a yoga studio in Southern California, cultivating a space dedicated to wellness, movement, and personal transformation.
After taking time away to raise her two young children, Taeler moved to North Carolina and returned to ballet in 2025 with renewed depth, perspective, and purpose.
When not in the dance studio, Taeler can be found tending to her garden, chickens, and spending time raising her two kids.
Charlotte Helena Dick
Apprentice
Charlotte Helena Dick began her dance journey when she first auditioned for a community theatre production of Titanic: The Musical at Hickory Community Theatre, which fostered her love of all things performing arts. She would go on to train in ballet, tap, and video jazz dance at Sonya’s Dance Academy. Her favorite shows in which she got to use her training were Hair and Newsies. She went on to take ballet class from Tracie Chan at Central Piedmont Community College, and perform in their Spring 2023 showcase. She received the opportunity in 2024 to work as a head choreographer at Hickory Community Theatre, for productions such as “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and “In The Heights”, a favorite of hers in which she got to choreograph sequences using partner dance, salsa, and hip hop. In her spare time dance wise she likes to learn combinations from YouTube tutorials at home, try out Latin dance socials, attend the YMCA hip hop choreography class when she’s not closing at work Wednesdays, dance salsa with her family on weekend dinners out at El Puro, and of course, attend Open Door Studios classes.
Varshsa Singh
Apprentice
Varsha began her dance journey at age 4 and since then have been intrigued. Trained in ballet, pointe, jazz, contemporary, tap,modern, hip hop, and acro.. She found a passion in musical theater in high school and was in ensembles for “Marry Poppins” directed by Tiffany Perry and choreographed by Angie Paul, “Addams Family” and "Beauty and the Beast" directed by Tiffany Perry and choreographed by Madeline Yentsch.
Currently is a student at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and a minor in dance. Throughout her time there, she continued her dance training. Performed in student choreo showcases; “Under Construction” three pieces choreographed by Laura Velez, Raquel Bell, and Abbi Gray, directed by Professor Ashley Tate and Audrey Baran. She participated in the African Brazilian festival called; “Lavagem” learning new dance techniques and African Brazilian culture. Performed in the Traditions concert directed by Tamara Williams at UNCC, and was given the opportunity to meet with seniors at “Aldersgate” nursing home and teach and share her passion of dance then perform for them.
Varsha has been taking adult dance classes at Open Door Studios and is excited to join BalletFools dance company!
Samantha Kuczka
Trainee
Samantha began dancing ballet as an adult at 35. She always wanted to dance and is grateful to have such amazing opportunities as an adult dancer. She has the pleasure of training with Julie Leung, Alexandra Kunis, Sean Kelly, and Jacqueline White. Samantha’s first performance was the Black Swan Variation at the 2025 International Adult Ballet Festival. She loves embodying a character and thoroughly enjoys a live audience’s energy. Samantha has also performed as the Sugar Plum Fairy from The Nutcracker and corps roles in Entrance of the Shades - La Bayadere, Waltz of the Snowflakes - The Nutcracker, Waltz of the Hours - Coppelia, and Garland Waltz - Sleeping Beauty.
At 36, Samantha began dancing lyrical and contemporary. She performed Idea 25, an original lyrical solo choreographed by Sean Kelly, and in Becoming as part of a small contemporary ensemble choreographed by Cindy Heen.
Samantha is a mom of two children and four cats. She married her husband on the pi day (March 14, 2015) because they are and always will be math nerds. Samantha enjoys reading, playing video games, and Pilates.