The Media City Ballet outreach program works with schools and local service groups to entertain and instruct the community on the art of ballet and dance. For more information on this outstanding program, contact Tom Pease.

On the left
From the MCBC's school outreach production of Peter and the Wolf: Bird provides a distraction, while Peter prepares to catch Wolf. This program is a wonderful demonstration of how dancers create characters through movement. It also deals with literature themes like conflict and conflict resolution. All MCBC outreach programs are aligned to the California State Standards.

Educational Outreach Sample Programs
Performances

Dance as a Language
LEVEL: Elementary and Middle School
DESCRIPTION: Excerpts from Peter and the Wolf will be presented in a manner that conveys the main characters, plot and themes. Students will compare how dancers and writers have to be concerned with similar narrative elements and techniques. Students will also learn about basic dance gestures that communicate ideas, emotions, and moods.

The Many Faces of Carmen
LEVEL: Middle School and High School
DESCRIPTION: The Many Faces of Carmen is a performance/demonstration of the story of Carmen as told through dance (both ballet and hip-hop). The program introduces students to the plot and characters of Carmen and the central themes of love and freedom. Dance demonstrations show how character, plot and themes are expressed in dance.

A World of Dance in America
LEVEL: All
DESCRIPTION: A World of Dance in America, is a performance/demonstration in which students analyze the function and development of dance in a variety of cultures including Native American, Spanish (flamenco), Irish, and African-American. Students develop an understanding of how dance functions in daily life and how it fits into the historical and social context of a culture. Students compare and contrast cultural dances, and see how cultures influence one another in the area of dance.

Multisession Workshops

Build a Ballet through Storytelling
LEVEL: Elementary (grades 2-5)
DESCRIPTION: Build a Ballet a performance/workshop that introduces students to the basic concepts of dance and choreography in seven sessions. It includes a staged ballet production of Peter and the Wolf, a planning session with teachers, and a staff development. The final session is a performance of Aaron Copland’s “Hoe Down” as danced and choreographed by students.