Programs | NowPlayingAustin.com

Home
Programs

Pages:

The Nutcracker School Shows

Endowed by Edie Rogat & Cotter Cunningham through the Ballet Austin Foundation Each year over 13,000 Central Texas elementary school students and teachers attend Ballet Austin’s The Nutcracker School Shows. The mission of these shows is to provide one act of a live ballet performance in a large theater at a minimal cost for local elementary-aged students. To enhance this live ballet experience, we also offer The Nutcracker Docent Program (see that program listing), an optional in-school pre-performance educational program geared towards 3rd-graders that includes engaging activities for the classroom.

Field Trips to Ballet Austin

Gain an insider’s perspective into Ballet Austin by taking a field trip to our Butler Dance Education Center. Observe a dance class or a rehearsal, see real ballet costumes and pointe shoes, learn more about our dance companies and programs, and have all of your questions about ballet and Ballet Austin answered by our knowledgeable Community Education staff. This tour will give you a better understanding of all elements that help bring a ballet to the stage.

Dance in the Classroom

Underwritten by A Glimmer of Hope Austin Dance in the Classroom brings a weekly pre-ballet lesson directly to students on their school campus. This program is led by Toni Bravo, long-time faculty member at the Ballet Austin Academy. Ms. Bravo also founded and leads the Leaps and No Bounds program, a school-based dance program that focuses on using kinesthetic learning as a means of reinforcing the skills necessary for success on state curriculum standards that has served the students of greater Austin since 1995. The Pre-Ballet curriculum is a prelude to formal ballet instruction and introduces children ages 5–7 to music and movement through a structured progression that stresses creativity and group interaction. An excellent and fun introduction to classical ballet and fine arts, the Pre-Ballet syllabus is introduced at a time when fine and gross motor skills are becoming more refined. By introducing students to the basic shapes, positions, postures and traditions of classical ballet, the Pre-Ballet curriculum enhances both cognitive and physical development at this important time. The students participating in Dance in the Classroom study the Pre-Ballet curriculum during Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade. At the end of 2nd grade, students who have completed the in-classroom program are invited to attend a summer program at Ballet Austin. Upon completing the summer program, the students are eligible for a scholarship to study Level 1 Ballet at the Ballet Austin Academy during 3rd grade. Current studies* show that the impact of the arts on education clearly indicate that arts experiences do play a significant role: enhancing academic achievement, reaching students on the margins of the educational system, creating an effective learning environment and helping learners connect experiences to the world outside of school. The arts help students build skills that are essential for success in the 21st-century workforce. *Champions of Change: The Impact of the Arts on Learning, 1999 and Issue Brief: The Impact of Arts Education on Workforce Preparation, 2002

Leaps and No Bounds

Founded in 1995, the Leaps and No Bounds program focuses on using kinesthetic learning as a means of reinforcing the skills necessary for success on state curriculum standards. Impacting approximately 600 children in three low socio-economic elementary schools within the Austin area, this program uses weekly movement lessons as a method of reinforcing core classroom curricula and essential skills in language arts, math, science, and social studies for each grade level from pre-K through fifth. Since its inception two decades ago, the program has been cited repeatedly by teachers and administrators as a key component in their strategies to effectively educate their students. The kinesthetic nature of the curriculum effectively reaches students who are challenged in a traditional classroom setting, including students with language barriers and/or learning disabilities.

Teacher Professional Development

Ballet Austin offers professional development for public school dance educators in Central Texas throughout the year, and is a Texas Education Agency (TEA) approved provider of Continuing Professional Education (CPE) certification. Opportunities include: Master and Technique Classes Learn for your own growth, or train to teach in any of the broad range of dance and fitness styles offered through Ballet Austin’s Butler Community School (ballet, modern, jazz, tap, hip-hop, Broadway, hula, yoga, Pilates mat). Schools and school districts may arrange for privately-held master classes for their teachers in order to earn CPE credits. Classroom Curricula The following classroom curricula (each including PowerPoint Presentation, lecture notes, and student handouts) were developed for middle school and high school classrooms: The History of Ballet The History of Modern Dance The History of Hip Hop Dance Cornerstones of Contemporary Ballet The Future of Ballet and Dance Career Paths in Dance The Choreographer’s Toolkit

Dance Revolutions

Dance Revolutions is a 45-minute educational performance offered to elementary, middle school, and high school students at Ballet Austin or in schools. The performance includes works from multiple dance genres, including ballet, jazz, musical theatre, and modern, and also involves the audience using improvisational movement activities. The dances are placed in historical context via interactive discussions throughout the performance.

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie

It all starts so simply – a day like any other. A boy stays home alone when his mom goes to visit Aunt Rose. With a few cookies and a good spot to read, everything seems so perfect. When the Mouse shows up, hungry – talkative – and not to be ignored. What can the boy do but give the Mouse a cookie? Wouldn’t you do the same thing? So… what do you get when a energetic mouse and an obliging boy spend the afternoon together? Cookie crumbs, spilled milk, and a whole lot of outrageous physical comedy that will have you rolling in the aisles.

Roots & Rhythms

Roots & Rhythms is a hands-on, multi-disciplinary, cultural arts and music education program fostering positive ties to local communities by providing a percussion program to local children and youth.

Art Acrross the Curriculum

Arts Across the Curriculum is an arts integration and professional development program that uses theatre to infuse excitement into learning. A ZACH teacher will come to your school and get students out of their seats and act out social studies, literature, and science. Students will go back in time to learn about history, meet a pirate to learn about maps and directions, travel into the earth to learn about rocks, and interview characters and act out scenes from literature to further their reading comprehension. Not only do students learn material presented theatrically, ZACH also offers a professional development component to the program so that teachers can continue to use these techniques to engage their students in the future.

Ballet Austin's The Nutcracker School Shows

Each year over 13,000 Central Texas elementary school students and teachers attend Ballet Austin’s The Nutcracker School Shows. The mission of these shows is to provide one act of a live ballet performance in a large theater at a minimal cost for local elementary-aged students. To enhance this live ballet experience, we also offer The Nutcracker Docent Program (see below), an optional in-school pre-performance educational program geared towards 3rd-graders that includes engaging activities for the classroom. Teachers are provided with resources such as Ballet Austin’s The Nutcracker Footnotes, a production-specific performance guide with pre- and post-performance details, activities and discussion points. 2016 Dates & Times Each group is welcome to attend either Act I or Act II. For groups wanting to attend both acts of The Nutcracker, please contact our Box Office at boxoffice@balletaustin.org or 512.476.2163 for tickets to one of our public shows. Dec 6: 10:00am (Act I), 12:00pm (Act II) Dec 7: 10:00am (Act I), 12:00pm (Act II) Dec 8: 10:00am (Act I), 12:00pm (Act II) Location: The Long Center for the Performing Arts 701 West Riverside Drive, 78704 (Riverside at S. 1st) Ticket Prices: Students $5 for one act (minimum group size of 10 elementary-aged students) $4 for students of Title I schools Adults (All teachers, administrators and other necessary chaperones) 1 free adult chaperone per every 22 students Additional necessary chaperones are $25.00 each All additional chaperones must be pre-approved through Ballet Austin All additional chaperones must accompany the school to and from the theater – they cannot arrive separately School Shows Timeline: Registration Wednesday, September 7, 2016: Registration opens for 3rd grade Monday, September 12, 2016: Registration opens for all elementary grade levels (Kinder – 5th grade) Registration Deadline Friday, October 28, 2016: Registration closes on this date or when all shows are full, whichever occurs first. Payment Deadlines (cash, check, or credit cards are accepted – no purchase orders are accepted) Friday, November 4, 2016: All payments due. If your school’s payment is not received by this date, your School Shows spot may go to another school. Friday, November 4, 2016: All registration changes due. Attendance numbers are sent to the theater for seating on this date. If you submit changes after this date we cannot guarantee that your school will be seated together. Any changes submitted after Nov. 4 that result in additional charges must be paid immediately with the school’s credit card. Friday, December 2, 2016: All outstanding payments due by 4:00pm. If your school’s payment is not received by this time, a $20 late fee per week will be added to your balance beginning on Monday, December 5, 2016. Additional Information: – Individual tickets will not be sold for these performances. – A minimum of 10 elementary-aged students (Kinder–5th grade) per school is required for registration. – Admission is limited to elementary school students and their teachers and chaperones. – All reservations must be confirmed by Ballet Austin. After you submit this completed registration form, you will receive a confirmation and invoice with your attendance and payment information. – All adults attending The Nutcracker School Shows with a school must be present to help escort students to and from the theater. For the students’ safety, all adults must be approved through the school, be included in the school’s attendance numbers by November 4, and must purchase a ticket for the show through the school. For more information and to register please click here.

AFS Film Club

Through projects incorporating digital filmmaking, animation, scriptwriting, and other media skills, AFS Film Club Workshops strive to: – Empower students to express themselves creatively through filmmaking; – Cultivate artistic and technical skills so students can explore and communicate issues in their own lives, community, and world; – Build creative and critical thinking/writing skills through new media literacy; – Promote students’ personal development through introspective and team-building projects; and – Raise young people’s awareness of college and career opportunities in film and new media. The AFS Film Club Workshops provide young people in grades 4–12 with a yearlong curriculum of filmmaking workshops, film appreciation programs, and mentorship activities led by talented community film artists. With attention to artistic and personal development, AFS Film Club Workshops engage students in a safe, fun and nurturing environment where they can develop and share their creative voices.

Build-a-Ballet / Carnival of the Animals

Build-a-Ballet introduces elementary-age students to the process of creating a work of art. Dancers from Ballet Austin’s Professional Division Trainee program perform nine excerpts from The Carnival of the Animals with choreography by Ballet Austin’s Artistic Director, Stephen Mills, and original music by Camille Saint Saëns. Students participate in choreographing a movement phrase that is eventually incorporated into the ballet. We also discuss elements of choreography, including use of space, rhythm, timing, and partnering. This 50-minute program is presented at Ballet Austin or in schools. To find out more information or to register click here.

Courage to Stand

Tap Actor/Teachers visit 4th and 5th grade classrooms for an interactive, multi-day residency that teaches students how to be courageous bystanders and stand up to bullying in their community. We start with a scene familiar to all elementary school kids — there is a bully at the bus stop! Our protagonist, Alex, sees a friend being bullied, but doesn’t know what to do about it. With the help of Buster, a time-traveling bus driver, and crucial input from the audience, Alex races back in time to learn how to stand up for others! In this interactive performance, students are challenged to look at the problem of bullying in a fresh, new way. By exploring acts of courage throughout history, including moments from the Holocaust and the Civil Rights Era. Students learn to examine the choices, risks, and consequences of intervening to help the target in a bullying situation. This innovative program teaches young people to creatively investigate the idea of courage—what it is, where to find it and how to act as a “courageous bystander”.

Dance Revolutions

Courage in Action

Tap Actor/Teachers visit 5th and 6th grade classrooms for an interactive, multi-day residency that teaches students how to be courageous leaders and community organizers. "Special Agents of Courage" have a special mission for your students. By examining leaders such as Cesar Chavez students apply skills and knowledge to their own lives. On the final day of the program students are inducted as Agents and emerge with clear strategies for affecting positive change in their community.

Docent Program - The Nutcracker

Just prior to The Nutcracker School Shows, Ballet Austin Guild members and other volunteer Docents visit schools that will be attending The Nutcracker School Shows to help students learn more about dance and professional ballet dancers, including topics and materials such as: the history of dance dance shoes ballet costumes the athleticism of dance the life of professional dancers the history of The Nutcracker the story of The Nutcracker proper theater etiquette Our 30- to 45-minute multi-media Docent presentation fits neatly into one class period. It meets 3rd and 4th grade TEKS for Fine Arts, Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies, and includes fun elements such as video excerpts, simple dance activities, real pointe shoes and ballet slippers, actual costumes from past productions, and a Q&A session during which your students can have all of their questions answered! The Docent program is offered only to those schools attending The Nutcracker School Shows as the pre-performance educational component to those shows. Ballet Austin and its Guild and volunteers have been providing this free in-school educational program for students throughout Central Texas for more than 25 years. The Docent program will help make a field trip to the ballet a meaningful and enjoyable educational experience for Central Texas students and educators. Additional Information for schools requesting Docents: To request a Docent, you must first register for The Nutcracker School Shows. Docent requests for the 2016/17 season may be submitted when school shows registration begins in early September 2016. Availability is limited. We will do our best to fill your request. Docent requests are accepted for Central Texas schools within a 30-minute drive of Austin city limits. Teachers must be present in the classroom during the Docent presentation in order to help with equipment and maintain discipline. Teachers are responsible for insuring that the classroom and equipment are ready for the Docent presentation prior to the arrival of the Docent. Preferred equipment for the multi-media Docent presentation is a computer with PowerPoint capabilities and a CD-rom drive, a projector connected to the computer, and speakers for the computer. An overhead transparency projector is required as backup for all Docent presentations. If your school does not have PowerPoint capabilities, the Docent can give the presentation using the overhead transparency projector. To find out more information click here.

Arts Alive - Artist Residencies

The Arts Alive! model incorporates intensive professional development for educators and teaching artists, teaching artist placements in the classroom, and in-school performances and arts-rich field trips

Leap & No Bounds

Leaps and No Bounds focuses on using kinesthetic learning as a means of reinforcing the skills necessary for success on state standardized tests. Impacting approximately 500 children in three low socio-economic elementary schools within the Austin area, this program uses weekly movement lessons as a method of reinforcing core classroom curricula and essential skills in language arts, math, science, and social studies for each grade level from pre-K through fifth. Since its inception more than a decade ago, the program has been cited repeatedly by teachers and administrators as a key component in their strategies to effectively educate their students. The kinesthetic nature of the curriculum effectively reaches students who are challenged in a traditional classroom setting, including students with language barriers and/or learning disabilities. Currently, Leaps and No Bounds serves Maplewood, Wooten and Oak Springs Elementary Schools. To find out more information click here.

diyYOUTH

The diyYOUTH program is youth driven. We do not utilize a “curriculum” but rather get input each semester from students about what they want to learn and what types of artistic mediums they want to explore. This ensures student engagement and participation. Utilizing local artists also enhances the program through community involvement with an emphasis on entrepreneurial skill development. Artists are coached in using a strengths based approach as well as allowing for youth voice/youth leadership in programming.

The Living Newspaper Project

The Living Newspaper Project is a project-based learning model that interrogates and animates human rights issues through drama-based instruction and performance. Working with 5th-12th grade students and teachers, we create original performances about current human rights issues that correspond with each classroom’s curriculum. Moving through a three-phase process – from research to scripting to staging – the Living Newspaper Project culminates in a public performance at each partner school. Throughout this process, drama specialists train classroom teachers in the methods and pedagogy of the program, ultimately empowering teachers to facilitate the project independently.

The Creative Quest

A Search for the Elements of Art! On this self-guided tour, groups engage in a storewide treasure hunt to discover the six elements of art. An easy-to-follow treasure map and fun clue cards direct teams throughout the store, exploring shape, form, color, line, space and texture. These concepts come together when all the elements are found and children are rewarded with creating an art project.

WOWi-Austin

WOWi is a technological, digital media-based arts education that is launching its first international project in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Students at the Ponheary Ly Foundation’s Tchey school in Combodia will receive a two-week intensive training on digital media creation, management and story-telling in the Spring of 2012. Simultaneously, student in the Austin area will be learning the same techniques. During the learning process, students from the two different continents will exchange content and stories. An additional component to this program is the creation of social media as a type of cultural preservation and exchange.

Shakespeare 20/20

Bring Shakespeare to life in your library and classrooms with a presentation by professional actors from Austin Shakespeare featuring your students’ participation. Using verse from Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Macbeth, and other plays, we invite students to meet TEKS requirements in ways that excite and enliven language-building skills. Half the class period uses trained Shakespearean actors to perform scenes of his work; the rest has students working directly with the actors to speak and perform the words themselves. Our philosophy is that Shakespeare is much better understood when seen and heard rather than simply read. Sessions start at $150, with discounts for multiple bookings.

Street Dance

From Dirty dancing, to Step Up, and to You’ve got Served learn all kinds of dancing and experience what the actors felt. No need to feel shy, or be scared of not knowing how to dance beacuse thats what i am here for. This is a friendly enviornment to all so please feel free to join us and have a blast of fun. For more information please call or email me.

Pages:

Find Education Programs

MADE POSSIBLE WITH SUPPORT FROM

FOLLOW US

Directories

Submit

Classifieds

The Austin Creative Alliance