Children's Programming at Ohio Contemporary Ballet

Productions that can go beyond the stage

Our lecture demonstrations offer an exciting and interactive way to share the art of dance with audiences of all ages. Blending performance and education, these sessions provide a deeper understanding of dance, its history, and its cultural significance, creating a memorable and enriching experience for everyone involved.

Peter and the Wolf

Peter and the Wolf is a playful 30-minute children’s ballet set to music of Sergei Prokofiev choreographed by Pamela Pribisco. In 1936, Prokofiev composed Peter and the Wolf as a way to introduce children to the different instruments of the orchestra. Ohio Contemporary Ballet performs the story of Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf as told through dance. Students experience storytelling through the interaction of narrative, music and movement, and gain understanding of how character and plot are communicated across multiple art forms. Can be performed in a theatre or in a gymnasium.

The Carnival of the Animals

This 30-minute ballet delights young children through movements inspired by the animals. Choreographed Associate Artistic Director, Richard Dickinson, MFA has taken the music of Camille Saint-Saens and tells the story of the Cuckoo Bird who is made fun of by the different animals. The animals learn to appreciate each other’s differences as the beautiful Swan teaches tolerance and acceptance followed by a grand carnival ending the ballet. Can be performed in a theatre or in a gymnasium.

Interactive Education Programs

Our children’s programs explore topics ranging from arts appreciation, literacy, STEM, and cultural diversity. These performance can be done in a variety of settings off the main stage including gymnasiums, libraries, classrooms and more! These programs are great to pair with an interactive movement activities for the audience. Integrated curriculum lessons made with the teachers follow State Content Standards and can be tailored to the needs of each class and reinforce themes in other subjects.

WiggleWords

The amazingly simple Wigglewords program utilizes basic dance movements for each letter of the alphabet to enhance a wide range of literacy skills, including spelling, phonics rules, identification of vowels and consonants and rhyming/storytelling. This Pre K- 4th interactive program get kids on their feet and supports kinetic readers! Can be in conjunction with performances or done in an outreach setting.

Exploring Asia

Cultivate and understanding, through movement, of the similarities and differences between Asian cultures regarding climate, food, and living patterns. Utilizing music and movement, three dancers take you to India and beyond while performing Heinz Poll’s famous choreography for Ravel’s Bolero. Students travel to China through the beautiful Tai Chi dance. The program finishes in the Philippines with a traditional dance called the Tinikling. Our international dancers also share dances from their countries.

Shape Imagination

Enhance your students’ skills in geometry and mathematics by taking them on a playful journey in search of lines, shapes, and angles. Utilizing music from orchestral to operatic, dancers do vigorous lifts, jumps, and turns while handling delicate, brightly colored balloons. In this fun interactive program dancers and balloons become the catalyst for the exploration of geometric shapes, designs, and choreographic patterns.

Field Trips

Ohio Contemporary Ballet can provide an in-studio or virtual industry field experience. The students either come to watch rehearsal in our home studio in Shaker Heights or zoom into the studio. Directors will explain the works and how the dancers go about rehearsing. After the show, the students are invited to ask the dancers questions.

Children’s Ballets

These performances can be performed in the main stage theatre. They provide an excellent opportunity to involve local studios and community groups in the production and is an unforgettable chance to work with a professional company. Get in touch with us to learn more!

The Little Nutcracker

Ohio Contemporary Ballet presents The Little Nutcracker, a one act version of the holiday favorite. It provides an excellent opportunity to involve local studios and community groups in the production and is an unforgettable chance to work with a professional company. This magical story comes to life on stage with a warm sense of nostalgia celebrating the holiday season.