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Ballet Theatre Company offers classrooms acrossGreater Hartford the opportunity to experience anabbreviated performance of its main stage ballets each season at The Bushnell's Belding Theater. Bring your class toBallet Theatre Company is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization | dancebtc.org

TABLE OF CONTENTS010203Community Enrichment ProgramA Children's Ballet OverviewThe Details0405The Nutcracker: Ballet Overview0607Seating and TicketsHow To Book Your Class The Team08Behind the Curtain Overviewdancebtc.org09Field Trip TransportationSnow White: Ballet Overview1011Behind the Curtain Materials12Post Performance Q&A with the Performers

At Ballet Theatre Company (BTC), webelieve that all children deserve theopportunity to experience the positiveimpact of the arts. Through our programming, we strive to reach as many children as possiblethrough dance classes, opportunities toattend professional-caliber liveperformance, and much more. We believe that these opportunities arecrucial in developing well-roundedhuman beings who become criticalthinkers, develop curious minds, andlead more productive lives. The goal ofBTC’s CEP is to inspire, nurture andencourage children by providing themopportunities to forge a life-long,personal connection to the arts. 01dancebtc.orgBallet Theatre Company's Community EnrichmentProgram (CEP) provides children accessibility andexposure to performing arts and culture. Throughits different programs and initiatives, childrenexperience dance education, workshops andprofessional performances.

BTC offers schools the opportunity to take a field trip to the theater toexperience an abbreviated version of story-book, ballet classicssuch as The Nutcracker. The one hour performance is offeredexclusively to children in CT. Students who attend also interact withprofessional artists including dancers, lighting designers, scenicdesigners and more. Meet and greets are available upon request. An abbreviated performance of BTC’s The Nutcracker and originalproduction of Snow White will be offered to CT public schools in itsupcoming Season 25. BTC partners with The Bushnell to offer a fieldtrip to the theater to host over 800 children to see its ballet. 02dancebtc.org

The deadline to book The Nutcracker is November 3, 2023.The deadline to book Snow White is March 1, 2024. Teachers who are interested in attending BTC's A Children's Balletperformances should book directly with BTC online by visiting its bookingform (see page 7).Tickets are $10/student. For every 20 tickets purchased, oneeducator/teacher is free. BTC works directly with The Bushnell to coordinateschool buses and each school's arrival.03THE DETAILSDate, Time and LocationA Children’s Ballet: The Nutcracker, December 1, 2023 at 10:00amA Children’s Ballet: Snow White, April 19, 2024 at 10:00amA Children's Ballet featuring The Nutcracker and Snow White will be held atThe Bushnell's Maxwell M. and Ruth R. Belding Theater in Hartford, CT. Theperformance will be no longer than one hour and schools should plan toarrive 30 minutes prior to the performance.The BookingAdditional Materials for TeachersThrough BTC's Behind the Curtain program, teachers can request additionalmaterials related to The Nutcracker or Snow White. Materials include a DigitalStorybook, an Academic Activity Workbook and a Performing Arts ActivityWorkbook.Flip to page 11-12 for more information.dancebtc.org

04Dattellas’ fresh version of The Nutcracker follows the familiar holiday storylinewith many twists and turns along the way that will enchant first-time viewersand seasoned audience members alike. From dancing dolls that pay homageto West Hartford history, to a battalion of break-dancing mice, and amenagerie of dancing sweets and treats, you’ll experience Clara’s magicaljourney like never before. While The Nutcracker is a beloved holiday tradition for many families, theSecond Act historically features racist interpretations of Chinese, MiddleEastern, and Russian cultures through dance and costume. For BTC’s 2022performance of The Nutcracker, Artistic Director Stephanie Dattellas staged afully reimagined Second Act, transforming Clara’s journey through an excitinglandscape of sweets and treats and leaving behind outdated, Victorian-erarepresentations of world cultures. Lead Costume Designer Pat Nurnbergerbrought this modern refresh to life with over 70 new hand-sewn costumes inenchanting styles and colors. This revitalized Second Act delighted audiencesin its debut, and BTC is thrilled to share it with new and returning audiencemembers for years to come!dancebtc.orgTHE ballet overviewtHE nUTCRACKER

05The beloved fairytale originated as a story written by the Brothers Grimm in theearly 19th century and has since been retold in styles ranging from a Broadwayplay to Disney’s first animated feature film. Dattellas’ rendition of Snow Whiteblends elements from the traditional tale with her own ballet twists, followingSnow White as she experiences hardships, friendships, and unexpected trialswith unwavering kindness. This innovative spin on the classic tale embodiesthe triumph of good over evil and will leave audience members with full heartsas they depart the theater. Did you know? BTC first premiered Snow White as a live-action film in June2021. During the height of the pandemic when theaters remained closed, BTCand its troupe of artists banded together to create a little magic. Scenes werefilmed in historic locations throughout the state of Connecticut includingTopsmead State Forest, Old New-Gate Prison and Copper Mine. The film waschoreographed, directed and scripted by Artistic Director Stephanie Dattellasand filmed by Peter Cofrancesco of Creation Dream Video. Photo above is atTopsmead State Forest.dancebtc.orgTHE ballet overviewSnow White

We want to hear from you! BTC offers a form for students to submit questions toour main characters/dancers/choreographer/costume designers, etc! Theperformers will select questions on stage to read aloud. Your student may evenget a shout out.Scan the QR code below or to submit questions from your studentspost performance q&aMeet the Main Characters from the PerformanceImmediately following our performances of The Nutcracker and Snow White, themain characters will join Artistic Director on stage for a talk back Q&A for studentsand teachers to learn a little bit more about the behind the scenes magic!Students will even get a sneak-peek at the production’s technical elementsincluding scenery, lighting, and special effects.Submit Questions from your Students06Submit Your QuestionsTo submit questions to our performances scan the QR code with your phone or visit us online: dancebtc.org/acb-questions-submission-form

Tickets cost $10 per student.When figuring out the number of tickets you need, be sure to count yourteachers and chaperones. The Fire Marshall’s regulations require that everypatron, including infants being held, has a ticket. Once the seating chart isdetermined, it may be impossible to seat additional guests with your group.For every twenty tickets purchased, one free ticket is granted. Be sure toinclude the free ticket(s) in the total count.Seats can only be reserved with the completed online booking form andpayment.*Refunds are not available.The deadline for The Nutcracker booking is November 3, 2023, and the deadlinefor Snow White booking is March 1, 2024.Book your class through BTC’s “Online Booking Form”, and purchase tickets with acredit card or by mailing a check to BTC.*Upon completing the online booking form, BTC will send a confirmation emailfollowed by an attached invoice to the address provided on the booking form.Please note that your booking will not be completed until payment has beenreceived. 07Book Your ClassTicketsPaymentBTC can accept credit card payments. Details will be provided on your invoice.Checks should be made out to Ballet Theatre CompanyMail to 20 Jefferson Ave, Suite #7, West Hartford, CT 06110 Online Booking FormTo book your class, scan the QR code with your phone or visit:dancebtc.org/acb-online-booking-form

SEATING AND TICKETSdancebtc.orgSeating at The BushnellSpecial NeedsIf any of your guests – students, teachers, or chaperones – have special needs,be sure to note that in the Online Booking Form.Booster seats are not available.Bushnell staff will seat you by group.Seating will be determined based on: (1) special needs and (2) the date onwhich the order form/payment is received. Entering the TheaterThe Nutcracker and Snow White will start on time. Doors open 20 minutes priorto curtain.To ensure an optimum experience for all audience members, please arrive atleast 30 minutes early. Bushnell staff members will be posted outside thetheater by the brick courtyard on Capitol Avenue. Let one of them know whichschool you represent.Once inside the theater, ushers will direct you to your seats.08

09FIELD TRIP TRANSPORTATIONdancebtc.orgBusesPre-show and post-show traffic jams on Capitol AvenueConfusion when students look for their busThe Bushnell will arrange for parking meters along Capitol Avenue to berestricted, making it easy for your buses to park.Instruct your bus driver to park the bus first, then have the students walk to TheBushnell. This helps us avoid two problems:If your bus is carrying an individual with special needs, instruct the bus driver tostop at the brick courtyard on Capitol Avenue and drop off only the special-needs individual, along with a chaperone. The bus should then proceed to oneof the bagged meters and park. The other students should then walk to thetheater.In the excitement of attending the theater, it can be easy to forget where yourbus is parked. Please make a mental note of where your bus is parked.

THE TEAMStephanie DattellasStephanie is BTC's Artistic Director and the choreographer ofThe Nutcracker and Snow White. Stephanie has been withBTC for over 5 years and is proud to share the beauty andmagic of ballet with students across Connecticut.Abigale BilodeauAbigale is BTC's Administrator for Community Engagementas well as an apprentice with the company. She graduatedwith a B.F.A from Butler University in May 2023. Abigale wasinvolved with Butler’s honorary dance fraternity where sheenjoyed participating in its philanthropy committee andinteracting with the surrounding community. Abigale isexcited to step into this role for Season 25!Audrey Aitken at The BushnellAfter your booking is complete and your payment has beenprocessed, you will hear from Audrey and The Bushnell team.If you have any questions about your field trip visit pleasecontact groups@bushnell.org. If you have any questions in regard to booking your class, do nothesitate to contact BTC's Community Engagement Administrator.Contact Abigale by emailing CEP@dancebtc.org. Contact BTC10dancebtc.org

BTC's Behind the Curtain program complements A Children's Ballet that featuresmain stage productions such as The Nutcracker. BTC will offer an in-personpresentation hosted by its professional dancers and artists to educate studentsabout the many aspects of full-length ballet productions. These interactive presentations will aim to invoke an early appreciation for theperforming arts and offer knowledge that will propel students to be active andattentive audience members.In addition, the Behind the Curtain program offers entertaining workbooks so thatstudents can further explore the ballet and performing arts world, while alsopracticing essential academic skills. See next page.In opening students’ eyes to the many wonders of a balletproduction, B e h i n d t h e Curtain aims to share the j o y s of liveperformances with young audiences and inspire a lifelongconnection to the arts, whether that be as a performer, costumer,member of the crew, or audience member.Pictured are students from S.A.N.D. Elementary experiencing a pointe shoelecture demonstration from BTC's Behind the Curtain Nutcracker school tour.11

What is the Digital Storybook?BTC has created digital storybooks to tell the story of the ballet through professionalperformance photos and original illustrations. What is the Performing Arts Activity Workbook?The Performing Arts Activity Workbooks are broken down into three different workbooks:Version 1 for Grades K-1, Version 2 for Grades 2-3, and Version 3 for Grades 4-5. With over 20pages of worksheets and classroom activities, these workbooks allow students to take onthe role of a costume or set designer and explore production elements of the ballet. What is the Academic Activity Workbook?BTC has created a series of activity workbooks to complement the digital storybooks of itsballets. The Academic Activity Workbook is offered in three different versions: Version 1 forGrades K-1, Version 2 for Grades 2-3, and Version 3 for Grades 4-5. With over 20 pages of worksheets and classroom activities, these workbooks cover the fourmain academic subjects. Students will practice their math skills through story related wordproblems, explore a bit of history of the ballet, utilize their reading comprehension skills, andinvestigate how environmental settings play a role in the story.In addition, the Academic Activity Workbooks include discussion pages which provideteachers with topics and ideas to reflect upon after worksheets and activities arecompleted. The workbooks are a great way to practice essential school skills, coupled withexcitement and the magic of the ballet.Behind the Curtain MaterialsConta ct BTC to le arn ho w y ou can co upl e y our trip to the balletpe rfo rma nce wi th its in -sc hoo l t our an d activity workbooks toma xim ize yo ur stu den ts' ex per ien ce. Em ail Abigale atCEP@dancebtc.org.12