Colorado Ballet Deems Live-Stream of THE NUTCRACKER A Success

DENVER - More than 100 sites from 10 Colorado cities and 27 states streamed Colorado Ballet's free live student matinee performance of The Nutcracker on December 4. In addition, students in England, Ireland, Ecuador, Greece, Italy and China also participated in the live stream event.

The majority of the sites were schools, but four hospitals including Denver Health also participated in the live streaming of The Nutcracker. Approximately 3,000 students watched the performance online.

"The live stream is an amazing way to expose students to dance who otherwise wouldn't be able to see our shows," said Anne O'Connor, Colorado Ballet's Director of Education and Community Partnerships. "Teachers were really excited to be able to offer professional-level performing arts in areas where there is limited access."

This is the second time that Colorado Ballet streamed a live production online during its student matinee series, which brings nearly 2,000 students to the Ellie Caulkins Opera House to watch a ballet performance with full sets, costumes and a live orchestra. Colorado Ballet opens its fall and spring student matinee productions to all interested schools and school groups, but The Nutcracker student matinee has always been an invitation-only performance presented at no cost to the highest percentage Title I schools. While the in-person student matinee this year remained invitation-only, the live stream was open to any school or hospital that wanted to participate.

"The outpouring of interest from all over the world was incredible," said O'Connor. "Colorado Ballet truly has world-class talent and this was an amazing opportunity to demonstrate that to the world. Colorado Ballet would also like to thank Rick Romano at JFR Holdings Corp and Duke Hartman at High Noon Entertainment for their help with the live stream."

Here are a few comments from teachers who participated in the live stream:

· "The 24 students LOVED it and were mesmerized by the music, dancing, lights, effects, and costumes! As a matter of fact, I had the pleasure of watching many kids dancing, twirling, and pretending to play various musical instruments during recess. We are a dual-language (Spanish/English) school and having this opportunity to watch a performance that can be understood in any language was incredible."

· "I am a kindergarten teacher at a high poverty impacted school here in Seattle and these kids were GLUED to the screen the entire time. What a great experience for my kids who may never get a chance to see such a beautiful performance!"

· "We are a low income school so opportunities like this that are so positive and uplifting and free are so needed."

· "I was amazed at how many students had never seen the Nutcracker before and to be able to show them one of the best productions I've ever seen was such a gift. I have students in this particular class that would usually be called troublemakers and spend a good deal of time not participating at all. When these students were watching the performance, they were completely captivated for the entire 40 minutes (hard to do) and they were even telling others to stop talking so they could enjoy the performance!"

· "It was an opportunity that we were fortunate to be a part of, especially since many of our children have limited access to cultural and arts experiences. The performance was spectacular. I have seen the Nutcracker many times and this performance could be equally rivaled with the New York City Ballet!"

In addition to the professional dancers and Academy students performing in The Nutcracker student matinee, the performance also included two performers from the Be Beautiful Be Yourself program, a partnership between Colorado Ballet and the Global Down Syndrome Foundation.

For more information on the student matinee series, please contact Anne O'Connor atanne.oconnor@coloradoballet.org.

About Colorado Ballet

Established in 1961 by Lillian Covillo and Freidann Parker, Colorado Ballet is a non-profit organization celebrating 55 years of presenting world-class classical ballet and innovative dance in Denver. Under the direction of Artistic Director Gil Boggs, Colorado Ballet enhances the cultural life of Colorado through performances of the professional company, training at the Academy, and Education & Community Engagement programs. Visit www.coloradoballet.org.

To post a comment, you must register and login.