Unfortunately, we can’t take our families to the Metropolitan Opera House or Koch Theater this fall to enjoy American Ballet Theatre live on the stage. But thanks to the company’s ABTKids 2020 series, kids (and adults!) will not be deprived of getting their ballet fix.
On October 24 @ 11:00am EST, fans around the world can watch the world premiere virtual performance inspired by John Robert Allman’s recently published book B Is for Ballet: A Dance Alphabet on YouTube. Narrated by Jennifer Garner – actor, entrepreneur, early childhood activist, and publically-acknowledged ballet fan – ABTKids 2020: B is for Ballet is a lighthearted, educational video that presents the beauty of ballet in an alphabetic sequence.
Viewers will also get to see archival footage of ABT performances along with material choreographed specifically for this 30-minute production. ABT dancers featured are Hernan Cornejo, Courtney Lavine, Lauren Post, Corey Stearns, and Devon Teuscher, complemented by students from the company’s feeder Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School.
ABTKids 2020: B is for Ballet
For those in the New York Metropolitan Area, this project will be distributed to ABT partners and complemented by ballet-themed activities, games, and educational opportunities curated by ABT’s Education staff and Teaching Artists. These organizations include:
– Children’s Museum of Manhattan
– Keen NYC
– The Fresh Air Fund
– Harlem School of the Arts
– Lincoln Center’s Passport to the Arts
– Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
– Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hopsital
– New York City Department of Education Public Schools
And if you cannot tune in the moment ABTKids starts to stream, don’t worry; B Is for Ballet will have a permanent home on ABT’s YouTube channel.
Source: American Ballet Theatre
