Children's Museum of Manhattan Teams with ABT to Celebrate THE NUTCRACKER, 11/7

On Sunday, November 7th American Ballet Theatre (ABT) is pleased to celebrate "ABT Day" at the Children's Museum of Manhattan (CMOM).  ABT and CMOM invite all young ballet fans to a special interactive workshop and dance demonstration celebrating ABT's upcoming World Premiere production of THE NUTCRACKER, to perform Dec. 22 - Jan. 2 at the Brooklyn Academy Of Music, BAM Howard Gilman Opera House.
 
The half-hour performances will take place at CMOM at 2pm and 3pm on November 7th.  They will feature a demonstration by students from American Ballet Theatre's Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis (JKO) School, a pre-professional ballet training program for students ages 10-18. Additionally, workshops will be led where participants will learn the story and characters of THE NUTCRACKER, and an ABT teaching artist will lead a session introducing ballet basics for young dancers.
 
Workshop participants will be treated to a sneak peek at CMOM of American Ballet Theatre's THE NUTCRACKER.  ABT's new production at the Brooklyn Academy Of Music will feature sets and costumes by Richard Hudson (Tony Award-winner for THE LION KING set designs), choreography by ABT's Artist-in-residence Alexei Ratmansky, and an impressive cast of more than 100 performers, including many students from the JKO School.  As Tchaikovsky's beautiful score fills the air, audiences will join young Clara for a dreamlike journey amid colorful, larger-than-life scenery, magical toy soldiers, mischievous mice, sparkling snowflakes, and a glittering Christmas tree.

CMOM will also offer an ABT Nutcracker-themed art activity throughout the day. Children will discover the magical story of THE NUTCRACKER and create their very own Nutcracker puppet. Sessions for children ages 4 & younger are at 10am and 1:30pm, children ages 5 & older at 12, 2, 3 and 4pm.
 
Since 1940, American Ballet Theatre has performed in the greatest theatres around the world, creating a tradition of passion, innovation, and athleticism that transcends cultural boundaries.  ABT's nationally recognized education programs ignite a passion for live performance by introducing young audiences to the world's most captivating ballets.  American Ballet Theatre is pleased to partner with the Children's Museum of Manhattan to share the magic of dance and live performance with young audiences.  The demonstration and workshop is FREE with admission to the museum.  For more information on American Ballet Theatre's
THE NUTCRACKER, visit www.abt.org.
 
This program continues CMOM's commitment to creating innovative, arts-based programming for children. CMOM recently hosted the Best of the Arts Festival showcasing New York City's finest in dance and performance art to encourage families to integrate arts and creativity into their daily lives. CMOM is a leader in creating and implementing innovative and engaging programs that reach a wide audience of children and families. The museum presents exhibitions, workshops, performances and other learning opportunities created by a team of professionals and scholars to provide educational opportunities that help children from diverse ethnic, economic and cultural backgrounds develop their minds during their most formative years. For details on all of CMOM's programs, please visit www.cmom.org or call 212.721.1223.