BalletFools
An Adult Ballet Dancer Performance Company
BalletFools is a contemporary comedy ballet ensemble based in Charlotte, NC and comprised solely 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 from American University.
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).
She has received several awards and nominations for her over 100 stage performances. 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 guest artist 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.