Thanks to our Micheltorena Arts Project (MAP), on December 15 all Kindergarten students attended a matinee performance of the traditional holiday ballet ‘Nutcracker’ at the fabulous San Gabriel Mission Playhouse Theater. For most students, it was their very first Nutcracker! A number of Kinder parents, as well as participants from our Micheltorena Parent Dance Class, also attended.
Dancing Nutcracker Parents
Visions of sugar plums followed students back to the classroom where they reviewed the story, danced the different roles, and shared impressions from the experience. For weeks in advance, the classrooms of Ms. Schreiber, Markarian, and Griffiths had worked with Bluepalm artist Sara Pfeifle to establish links between dance, learning, and the Nutcracker.
Careful preparation and follow-up ensure that the field trip was not only fun but also well-grounded in relevant classroom themes.
Fun with the Russian Dance interpretation!
The Nutcracker outing was part of the MAP Field Trip Plan which will ensure that during their Micheltorena journey, every student has the opportunity to attend a live theater and dance performance, musical concert, and the landmark Los Angeles museums.
The Nutcracker field trip was made possible with support from Friends of Micheltorena, the Thelma Pearl Howard Foundation, the California Arts Council, and the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.
NOTE: The next Micheltorena Parent Dance Class is this coming Friday Jan. 13 at 10 A.M.