The Unseen Ballet: The Intersection of Technology and Humanity

At Dell Technologies, we are technology optimists. Meaning we truly believe technology has the power to solve some of the world’s greatest challenges, break down barriers, and create opportunity for all. We work hard to bring this belief and our commitment to inclusion to life through our brand – from the advertising we create to the experiences we build not only for our customers but our communities and the world.

We were inspired by one of our television spots which features a woman at a ballet performance who is visually impaired. Through a pair of advanced technology glasses, she is able to see a dancer twirling on stage for the first time.

We wondered – could we bring this idea to life right here in our hometown of Austin, Texas, and give back to the community where we started it all? The answer was a resounding yes. After all, we’re optimists! And so, The Unseen Ballet was born. Earlier this month, in partnership with Ballet Austin and eSight, a leader in assistive technology, we equipped Austinites who are visually impaired with special glasses that enabled them to view a live performance of The Nutcracker with their families for the first time.


With over 150 community members in attendance, this was a truly special event that brought families together this holiday season. One person in attendance was an eight-year-old girl named Lily who loves to dance. Lily was diagnosed with Optic Nerve Hypoplasia which has led to blindness in her right eye and limited vision in her left eye. Despite her love for dance, her disability had previously prevented her from seeing a ballet performance. She came dressed for the occasion in her very own ballet outfit, sat in the front, put on her glasses, and was able to see the ballet with her mom for the first time. A truly magical moment that demonstrates how technology can break down barriers and open the door to new possibilities. You can learn more about Lily and the Unseen Ballet in the video below:

We hope that Lily, whose motto is “I can do even the hardest things,” will inspire the optimist in you. Visit here for more on The Unseen Ballet experience.

Liz Matthews

About the Author: Liz Matthews

Liz Matthews is the Senior Vice President of Dell Technologies Global Brand & Creative.  She is responsible for Dell Technologies’ verbal and visual articulation of its purpose and its brand strategy.  Her team’s charter includes inspiring passion and driving preference for the Dell Technologies brand and all its products through advertising, creative, content, digital, social, event experiences, product placement, customer stories and large-scale partnerships. Previously, Liz held multiple executive roles in Dell’s consumer and SMB business. She has a plethora of technology marketing experience from both large global brands like Sun Microsystems to brazen start-ups. Liz’s fruitful career, however, took off where she began her marketing journey at Johnson & Johnson. Liz sits on the Board of Directors for the Ad Council. She has won numerous awards for her work including Marketing Executive of the Year by Best in Biz. Liz holds a B.A. in communications from California Polytechnic State University and lives with her family and two rescue doggies in Austin TX.