Twenty charter school students from Clinton Hill made their first visit to Lincoln Center a memorable one: by dancing on center stage. Part of the American Ballet Theatre’s “Make a Ballet” program, the students designed, choreographed, constructed, produced and performed their own original performance, “Cinderella and her Prince,” on stage at Lincoln Center.
“For many of our students, this is the first time they have ever seen the inside of Lincoln Center,” said John DiPaolo, executive director, Beginning with Children Foundation. “And dancing on stage is a phenomenal opportunity for them to explore the myriad possibilities that the world of art can offer. This is the value of richness in our educational program.”
The students presented multiple performances of their original work. The first performance took place at Community Partnership Charter School (CPCS), 241 Emerson Place, and was performed for the members of the school and the local community. The students performed excerpts of their final performance on the stage of the Metropolitan Opera House as part of American Ballet Theatre’s Young People’s Ballet Workshop.
In addition to exposing students to classical dance and building future audiences, “Make a Ballet” emphasizes career opportunities in the arts, onstage and backstage, and helps the students develop valuable life skills.
Following the first year of participation, ABT and members of school staff continue to cultivate students’ skills and career interests by supervising independent projects, administrative internships at ABT and other after-school enrichment activities.
