Community Outreach–For Educators
Classical Ballet Theatre is committed to providing students and their teachers with arts experiences and arts education, specifically in dance. Research demonstrates that students benefit socially and academically from sustained involvement in the arts, and those in arts rich environments have a higher understanding of their academic ability, are achieving at higher rates on standardized testing and are more engaged in school (Catterall 1999, Heath 1999, Burton 1999). Opportunities for students are offered in the schools, at the CBT studios and the theater.
The Nutcracker
Nutcracker School Pre-Performance Program
Just prior to the Nutcracker School performance series Classical Ballet Theatre Outreach staff visit schools to help students learn more about dance and professional ballet dancers, including such topics as:
- The history of dance
- Dance shoes
- Why ballerinas wear tutus
- The athleticism of dance
- The history of the Nutcracker
- The story of the Nutcracker
- Proper theater etiquette
Our approximately 40-minute outreach presentation, fits neatly into one class period and meets the educational standards for Fine Arts, Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies and includes fun elements such as video excerpts, simple dance activities, real pointe shoes, actual costumes from past productions, and a question and answer period during which your student may have all of their questions answered!!
The Nutcracker Pre-Performance Outreach Program is only available to those schools attending the Nutcracker school performances. Classical Ballet Theatre has been providing this free in-school educational program for students throughout Northern Virginia for more than 20 years. The Pre-Performance Outreach Program will make your field trip to the ballet a more meaningful and enjoyable educational experience for you and your students.
Nutcracker School Performance
Each year 200-300 elementary school children and their teachers attend the Classical Ballet Theatre's Nutcracker school performances. The mission of the Nutcracker School performances is to provide excerpts of a live ballet performance experience in a theatre like setting for local pre-school- and elementary-aged students. Teachers are provided with resources (a performance specific guide with activities and discussion points for their students) and students are provided with fun-filled educational materials and surprises.
The Nutcracker School Performance this year will be on Thursday December 1, 2011 at 10:00am at the CBT Herndon studios. Email Cynthia Donavin to make reservations or call 703-471-0750 to make reservations. Call soon since these performances fill up quickly!
Inside-Out Series
Since its inception CBT has offered area preschool and elementary school children the opportunity to participate in a 30-minute "Glimpse of the Ballet" presentations, pre-performance and post-performance talks with the Director, question and answer period, resource materials for teachers are provided, children take home activity sheets related to the program. The CBT has performed at the Montessori Schools, Elementary and Middle Schools throughout Northern Virginia, the Slavic Festival at the Alden Theatre in McLean, the Fairfax Arts festival, the International Children's Festival and much more. Email Cynthia Donavin to make reservations or call 703-471-0750 to make reservations.
