School Performances & Workshops
New Ballet brings socially and culturally relevant dance displays to young audiences through live and virtual performances. Upon request, educators receive a Teacher Guide to actively engage students in each production. The guide includes information on composers and choreographers, prompts to promote critical thinking, and a range of activities to maximize students’ understanding and appreciation of the performance. Offerings may vary depending on the semester. Download our school performance brochure!
For more information about pricing and available dates, please follow this link to fill out an interest form. You may also call 901-726-922 or send an email to frontdesk@newballet.org to communicate your interest.
Choose from four exciting performances:
- Peter and the Wolf, Anansi and the Sky God, ¡José!, and Three Shoes & Bare Feet.
- Book performances for a Monday through Thursday.
- Experience a 45-minute live performance at your school.
- Experience a 35-minute pre-recorded virtual performance that can be viewed at the school’s convenience.
- Choose from five exciting performances: Peter and the Wolf, Anansi and the Sky God, ¡José!, Three Shoes & Bare Feet and the audience’s favorite, NutRemix™!
- Engage in livestream Q&A scheduled for a specific date and time lasting approximately 30 minutes.
Live choreographic instruction: Teachers may request additional virtual or live instruction. Our Teaching and Performing Artists will work with students to teach steps or movements from the choreography based on cultural genres seen in the performance. Additional fee required.
New Ballet is included on the Tennessee Arts Commission’s Artist Roster to help fund schools interested in participating in our performances and workshops. Student Ticket Subsidy is available to Tennessee public schools for arts and cultural experiences. Administrators and teachers can apply for Student Ticket Subsidy for our live school performances, including annual productions of NutRemix™ and Springloaded.
The application process for the 2023-2024 school year begins Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at 8:00 am CDT. View our TAC Artist Roster by following this link.
Choose From The Following Performances
Peter and the Wolf
Pre K-5
Peter and the Wolf is a lively and engaging portrayal of the traditional story with characters representing not only the instruments of the orchestra, but also five dance disciplines (Hip-Hop, Ballet, Modern, Jazz, and Character). The performance is preceded by an overture of the Hip Hop piece, Dying Swan Pas, a trademark of New Ballet.
“This is the best and most engaging arts performance that has visited Bruce Elementary, a fairly arts savvy school. The incorporation of Camille Saint Saëns’ “The Dying Swan” as a hip-hop piece lets the children know that this style of movement, which is so familiar to them (Memphis Jookin), is a valid form of self expression. They were riveted!”
– Terry Starr, Orff teacher at Bruce Elementary
Anansi and the Sky God
K-8
Based on the African folktale, Anansi Does the Impossible, this danced version is set to the infectious sounds of West African drumming and includes narration by a “griot”. Anansi and his wife, Aso, trick the powerful Sky God into giving them all the stories of the world to share with the people. Anansi is brought to life through Hip Hop, Ballet, Modern, Flamenco and African Dance.
Three Shoes & Bare Feet
K-12
Three Shoes & Bare Feet celebrates four different styles of dance and the cultures they originate from through the different shoes worn – or not worn – by their dancers. From pointe shoes to Flamenco shoes, Hip Hop, and Memphis Jookin sneakers to bare feet! Live African drumming enhances this performance for children and youth of all ages.
“They’re gonna see young people that look like them. That are dancing. These are young people that come from every walk of life, and now they’re performing. They get a chance to see that you can do anything you put your mind to.”
– Joyce Coleman, Shelby County Schools Board Member District 9
!José!
K-12
¡José! is based on the life and work of the great modern dance master, José Limón. Inspired by the book, José! Born to Dance, this show presents a variety of dance, music, and art genres from this era in history. Young audiences experience Flamenco, Spanish guitar, and modern art, which inspired José Limón on his journey to becoming one of the most influential modern dance choreographers of his time.
See the ¡José! performance at Sea Isle Elementary in Memphis.
“Our students were enthralled. I truly felt like we were in a grand theater instead of our school auditorium. Even our middle school students loved it (and that’s a tough crowd!).”
– Assistant Principal, Snowden School, Memphis, TN
Live NutRemix™ Matinee for Schools
Cannon Center for the Performing Arts
November, 2024
K-12 – Complimentary chaperone tickets
Teachers, reserve your seats in early August, 2024!
NutRemix™ School Matinee interest form
First-come, first served
Every holiday season NutRemix™ delights Memphis’ audiences with a modern reinvention of Tchaikovsky’s classic Nutcracker, set on Beale Street. Classical Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop,
Flamenco, Memphis Jookin, West African dance, and more create a magical world of movement and music that young audiences will never forget! Over 200 cast members, 90% of whom are student artists, perform alongside The Memphis Symphony Orchestra and Big Band, as well as live Flamenco musicians and African drummers. This performance is the uniquely Memphis celebration of a holiday classic!
– Patrick Dru Davison, Ph.D. Fine Arts Advisor for Shelby County Schools, Memphis, TN
