Lance Avery Morgan
See Why Kate Stoker And Melissa Constantinides Invite Austin To Step Into An Enchanting Evening Where Ballet, Fashion, Philanthropy, And Community Take Center Stage
Photography courtesy of Ballet Austin
There are galas… and then there are evenings that feel like stepping into another world. For Ballet Austin’s 2026 Fête, Co-chairs Kate Stoker and Melissa Constantinides are creating precisely that kind of experience. Drawing inspiration from Artistic Director Stephen Mills’ production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream to transform one of Austin’s signature philanthropic celebrations into an immersive journey of artistry, imagination, and purpose, as our culture chronicler Lance Avery Morgan learns as he catches up with the duo.
For Kate Stoker, the magic begins the moment guests walk through the door. “Wonderment,” she says, is what she hopes guests will feel. Fête, she explains, is “elegant and immersive,” with the annual theme woven into the décor, activations, menu, design, and every detail of the evening.
For Melissa Constantinides, however, there is another essential ingredient: community. Fête is Ballet Austin’s only major fundraising event of the year, making the glamorous evening much more than a social occasion. “Everyone in the room is there in support of the Ballet Austin mission,” she says, emphasizing the inspired, passionate, and community-minded people who come together to make the organization’s work possible.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Reimagined
The 2026 theme grew organically from Mills’ production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, which Ballet Austin will perform two weeks before the gala. Constantinides says the production has become the “filter for every decision”… from florals and lighting to music and food.
“We want every element of the night, not just the stage moment, to feel like it belongs to the same story,” she says. The goal is for the experience to evolve naturally as guests move from cocktails to dinner to the dance floor, allowing the theme to “build rather than reset.”
That storytelling quality is particularly fitting for Ballet Austin, where movement, music, emotion, and visual artistry converge. Yet Stoker points out that the organization’s story extends far beyond the stage.
“Ballet Austin brings so much more to the community,” she says, citing programs including Pink Pilates, Active Aging classes, For the Joy of It classes, and EduMoves programs in schools. This year, community members will also be invited to share their stories as part of the Fête experience.
Where Austin Comes Together
Part of Fête’s allure is the remarkable cross-section of Austin that it attracts. Stoker describes a guest list that can include parents of Academy students, season subscribers, business leaders, Nutcracker devotees and longtime arts supporters.
“The reach of Ballet Austin in the Austin community is just as diverse and impactful as the guests in the room,” she says. Constantinides adds another dimension: legacy. Stoker has been involved with Fête for more than a decade, while Constantinides is newer to the event’s leadership. Yet their collaboration has quickly become one of the pleasures of the planning process.
Their first meeting as co-chairs lasted from 4 p.m. until nearly 10 p.m. at the Four Seasons, where they immediately began trading ideas about the Ballet Austin mission, local companies, community stakeholders and ways to enrich the guest experience.
“We developed a really great rapport immediately,” Constantinides recalls.
Stoker agrees, crediting their committee as another critical ingredient in bringing the evening together and noting that building relationships is one of the most rewarding aspects of this kind of philanthropic work.
Dress The Part
Naturally, a theme inspired by A Midsummer Night’s Dream invites Austin to have some fun with fashion.
Constantinides encourages guests to interpret the theme in whatever way feels authentic, from colors and fabrics to jewelry and accessories. Her vision includes “earth tones, gemstones, and whimsical gowns,” but she emphasizes that there are countless ways to approach the story.
“The beauty of fashion is that it’s unique to everyone and people can be as creative as they’d like!” she says.
And Fête regulars clearly know how to commit. Stoker remembers seeing false fangs at the Marie Antoinette-themed after-party and tiaras during the Cinderella-themed celebration.
When The Night Changes Tempo
Once dinner concludes, the elegant dreamscape takes another turn.
Stoker promises that the evening will shift into “fête*ish,” with DJ Cassandra taking over the soundtrack and the VIP Lounge offering additional surprises. Previous celebrations have included aura readings, photo opportunities and hair embellishments, but this year’s plans remain deliberately under wraps.
“The energy completely changes,” Stoker says. “It’s where the elegance of the earlier hours gives way to something more vibrant and festive.”
The Heart Behind The Glamour
For both women, their commitment to Ballet Austin is deeply personal.
Stoker has loved dance throughout her life and began attending Ballet Austin performances as a student at UT Austin. For her, supporting the arts means telling important stories, creating connection and opening doors to people who might not otherwise have access to the transformative power of dance.
“Art has the power to transport people, create connection, laugh or cry, and bring beauty to the world,” she says.
Constantinides’ connection is equally intimate. She grew up dancing professionally in New York and continued dancing as a passion while attending UT Austin. Now, she sees supporting Ballet Austin as a way to give back while helping make dance accessible throughout the city.
As a nurse, she also sees the value of movement through a different lens, believing that dance is important for mental and physical health at every age.
Why Fête Matters Now
Behind the gowns, cocktails, and spectacular production is a very real mission. Constantinides notes that arts funding is under significant pressure, while Ballet Austin’s educational and outreach programs reach thousands of people across Central Texas who might otherwise never enter a theater.
“Fête’s proceeds are a direct line to keeping those programs free or affordable,” she says.
Stoker offers a powerful example of that reach: more than 13,000 students and teachers attended a School Show performance, including 5,000 students from Title I schools. For many, she notes, it may be their first, and sometimes only, introduction to ballet.
That makes the evening’s sparkle particularly meaningful. The fantasy on the ballroom floor helps sustain opportunities far beyond it.
The Dream Dances On
So, what would success look like when the final song plays, and the last guests depart?
For Stoker, the answer begins with reaching the fundraising goal that supports Ballet Austin’s programs. She also hopes Fête introduces Austin’s newer residents, companies, community leaders and philanthropists to the city’s cultural fabric and gives them meaningful ways to participate.
For Constantinides, success is a little more elusive, and perhaps more magical. “We want people to be talking about how unique and creative this event was in years to come,” she says, “and look forward to next year with the same enthusiasm and question, ‘what will they do next?’”
And perhaps that is the ultimate magic trick of Fête: creating a night that feels fleeting and fantastical while helping ensure that the transformative power of dance continues throughout Austin long after the champagne glasses are cleared.
For gala and performance ticket information, visit here.
7 Ways Ballet Austin’s 2026 Fête Will Bring A Midsummer Night’s Dream To Life
- Wonderment From the Moment You Arrive. An immersive experience designed to transport guests into another world.
- A Theme That Tells a Story. From florals and lighting to music and food, every detail is inspired by A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
- Austin’s Arts & Philanthropy Crowd. A distinctive mix of longtime supporters, newcomers, cultural leaders, families, and philanthropists.
- Fashion With a Touch of Fantasy. Expect earth tones, gemstones, whimsical gowns, and plenty of individual interpretation.
- A Fête*ish After-Party. DJ Cassandra takes over after dinner as the evening shifts from elegant to energetic.
- A Mission Beyond the Ballroom. Proceeds help support Ballet Austin’s artistic, educational, and community programs.
- A Night Worth Remembering. The co-chairs hope guests leave already wondering what Ballet Austin will dream up next.
The scene at Ballet Austin Fête
