Article: Filling our dance cards: new ideas for new ballet audiences.

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Ballet Austin audiences were shocked last year when a voice from the stage asked them to please keep their phones on for the performance. Taking a cue from American Idol, the announcer instructed the audience to vote via cell phone for the winner of the choreographers' showcase.

This audience-participation evening is just one of the ways the company engages their existing audiences and brings in newer, younger prospective ballet fans. And it seems to be working. Cookie Ruiz, executive director of Ballet Austin, says staff members planted themselves in the audience that night to see how it was going and the level of conversation was like they'd ...

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