Steps in TimeThis one-hour program, directed by Boulder Ballet Artistic Director Ana Claire, illustrates the history of ballet from its beginnings in the peasant dances of the Renaissance to contemporary ballet. Included are demonstrations of the artful athleticism of ballet, a humorous classical mime scene, musical theater dance, and audience participation.
Steps in Time is performed by four Boulder Ballet professional company members. The troupe travels with its own Marley dance floor and professional sound system allowing them to present the highest quality performance, complete with pointe work and full costuming. Venues include gymnasiums and school auditoriums.
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I am writing to commend you for the excellent performance, "Steps in Time," that we recently enjoyed at Park Hill School in Denver, thanks to the Boulder Ballet. From start to finish, this ballet kept the students on the edge of their seats...the perfect mix of interesting anecdotes, audience participation, and spectacular dancing to enthrall our diverse student population. I was thrilled to see so many young people, many of whom had never before seen ballet dancing, suddenly expressing interest in learning more about this beautiful art from. What a wonderful survey of ballet history and an artistic experience these students are not soon to forget. Thank you for securing the funding to make such opportunities available to inner city kids. Best wishes in your future endeavors, and we hope to see Boulder Ballet here again!
Leslie Dawe
Park Hill Elementary, Denver
What a fabulous assembly! We had a wonderful time! The dancers were engaging, informative, and very talented. My students, colleagues, and I were completely wrapped up in the stories told through dance. This assembly touched so many aspects of the curricula that the students study. Through the material performed in the assembly, students were making connections to history, composers they had studied this year in music, and places they had researched.
Gwen Waldman
Fox Hollow Elementary, Aurora
The Boulder Ballet's presentation at Bear Creek on April 24 was a huge hit! The students were attentive throughout the hour-long presentation. Your style of presentation (timing, variety of performers), information, music choices and ballet selections were all perfect to capture the interest, attention, and delight of elementary aged children.
Anna Langness, PhD
Bear Creek Elementary, Boulder
You and the dancers were quite professional and very easy to work with. I was quite pleased when you arrived on time at such an early hour. I really appreciated your flexibility (in more ways than one). Many of our kids here at Coronado Hills don't get out to see these sorts of performances and this type of art, so we try to have an assembly about once a month, but none have compared to what you did here last week. Thank goodness for the grants and funding so that your people could present this wonderful program to our students.
Sara Tyburczy
Coronado Hills Elementary School, Thornton
I must take this opportunity to highly recommend the Boulder Ballet for school assemblies. Each and every student was engaged and attentive. We had kindergartners through sixth graders in this particular assembly, over 500 students! You could hear a pin drop. They were fascinated and delighted. Many exited the gym on their tiptoes. The dancers were top notch, very professional, and took their job very seriously. We were entertained, enlightened, educated and enthralled. Thank you Boulder Ballet for coming to our school!
Mitzy A. Lurvey
Academy Elementary School, Westminster
For further information on Steps in Time,
contact us.
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Poetry of MotionIn keeping with Boulder Ballet’s highly theatrical, character-based style, we offer in-school workshops and residencies that harness elements of dance, mime, and object manipulation. The goal is to inspire students of all abilities to observe, learn, work together, express themselves in positive ways, and embrace the arts in their minds and in their hearts.
Poetry of Motion is available in various program lengths, from single workshops to multi-week residencies. We can collaborate with school staff to bring the art of movement into schools in a way that meets the needs of each school and its students.
"Art begins with observation."
Our Poetry of Motion program enables students to explore their world through observation, moving their bodies, and interacting with objects. By focusing on their surroundings, rather than on themselves, students are free to
find themselves being expressive as they Interact.
The importance of the arts as part of a quality education has been well documented. Unfortunately, the reality of the arts in schools is sometimes limited. In Colorado, dance is the least represented art form in the schools. We would like to change that for the enrichment and enhanced learning of young students.
Feedback
I know the students really enjoyed it, even the 6th graders who entered with skepticism thinking it was going to be a week of ballet. They all asked the next week why we couldn't do it another week. Thanks to the Boulder Ballet for introducing movement and drama to kids this way. It is a much needed skill for our students to gain body awareness and confidence. And it is even more needed for children whose lives are so filled
with test preparation and testing, and rarely get the opportunity to express themselves and move!
Melody Epperson
Elementary Arts Teacher
For further information on Poetry of Motion,
contact us.
In October, Boulder Ballet opened its season of in-school residency programs at Boulder Community School of Integrated Studies. The residency workshops were taught by Shana Cordon, a dynamic actor and movement artist.
Feedback from the school -
"It is my honor to write this recommendation for Shana Cordon. The activities she led were engaging and educational. The kids loved everything! Shana orchestrated a variety of drama and dance experiences maintaining a high energy level throughout. She has outstanding organizational skills and is able to channel the energy of the students in constructive ways. It was a very productive week and one that students will fondly remember for a long time. Shana was a talented and capable presenter and we will miss her very much as she moves on to other schools. She had a rare ability to bring students to a new level of dance and movement, inspiring them to express feelings, characters, and situations, all in a context that was appealing to both boys and girls - young and old!"
Jan May
Director of Arts
BCSIS
For further information on residency and outreach programs,
click here.
