Educational Outreach
Sample Programs
Performances
The Four Musicians
LEVEL: Elementary School
DESCRIPTION: The Four Musicians is an original ballet
for children based on a Grimm’s Brothers fairy tale. The story
is about four animals who have been abandoned by their owners and have
decided to make their way into the city to become musicians. Along
the way they must overcome adversity, understand their strengths and
weaknesses, and learn how to work together as a team. The work, especially
composed for Media City Ballet by Tom Pease, presents the fairy tale
in an engaging combination of prose, poetry, music and dance. The program
addresses the California State Standards in English, music and dance.
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. |
