Introduced in the 2016-17 season, Dance-A-Story is a 45-minute workshop for Pre-K and Early Elementary school kids that brings children’s stories to life through creative movement, music, and a costume show and tell. The workshop works to enhance early childhood education in part by focusing on literacy, vocabulary, and cooperative learning skills.
A Kansas City Ballet Community Education Program Teaching Artist leads the workshop—which may be held at local libraries and Pre-K schools during story hours. This educational program is a fun way to introduce even the littlest members of the community to ballet.
“Our Dance-A-Stories provide opportunities for very young children in and around the metro area to experience classic stories and fairy tales in a truly unique way,” says Community Engagement and Education Manager April Berry. “By bringing the magic of movement, music, and costumes/props from the company’s story ballets to community venues, this fun, interactive program provides another avenue to enhance literacy.”
Two Workshops This Season
This year the boys and girls participating will learn about The Nutcracker (available in November/December) and new Peter Pan ballet coming this spring (available in April/May 2018).
For many young children, it may be their first experience with ballet and has potential to spark an interest that is experienced with family members and teachers.
Interested in attending a Dance-A-Story?
Speak to your local library or school about scheduling an event. They can contact April Berry for more info: 816.216.5583 or aberry@kcballet.org.
You’re invited:
The Nutcracker Dance-A-Story will be held at the Plaza Library in Kansas City, Mo., as part of Family Fun Night, on Friday, Dec. 8th at 6:30 p.m.
