Arts on the Horizon Presents TO THE CLOUDS

Arts on the Horizon, a non-verbal interactive theatre for children ages 0 - 6, is excited to present a new commission by a local DC playwright. To the Clouds will run from May 31st - June 16th, 2018 at The Lab at Convergence in Alexandria, Virginia.

To the Clouds, written and directed by Natasha Mirny in her Arts on the Horizon premiere, was created specifically for an audience of children ages 0 - 3 and their families.

On their very first trip through the water cycle, a drop of rain is eager to see what lies ahead. Along the way, we get a closer look at some amazing things: colorful flowers, the warm sun, and perhaps even a whale! As the voyage is completed and the raindrop goes back to their home in the clouds, they look forward to once again seeing their new friends. Through movement, puppetry, and found object animation, this interactive world-premiere for babies and toddlers is driven by a soundtrack of classical music and creates a captivating world of transformation.

Gifted performer Justin J. Bell joins Arts on the Horizon for a second time, having played beloved robot Nutt in the Helen Hayes-nominated production, Nutt & Bolt. Justin is a DC-based actor, writer, and director who has performed frequently with Synetic Theater.

To the Clouds marks writer/director Natasha Mirny's first collaboration with Arts on the Horizon. She has relocated to the DC area from Moscow, Russia, where she worked as a creator and director for one of their largest puppet theaters. Natasha has devised and directed Theatre for the Very Young with the Meyerhold Center's BabyLab (Moscow) and La Baracca - Testoni Ragazzi (Bologna), and is known for her imaginative use of simple objects. Ksenya Litvak will design the set, lighting, and props.

Arts on the Horizon, founded in 2009, is a non-profit theatre with a specific focus of providing performances and education programs for the very young. Our performances are designed to take place in intimate settings where children not only feel comfortable to learn and explore, but are also an integral part of the performance. We have the utmost respect for children and want what may be their first theatrical performance to entertain them, challenge them, spark creativity and enhance the imaginative play in which many young children engage. Since 2011, our non-verbal productions have been performed on the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage, Atlas Performing Arts Center, Workhouse Arts Center, The Athenaeum and other venues and schools in the DC metro area. In May 2013, the company performed at Cleveland's Playhouse Square as part of the national One Theatre World Festival. In Spring of 2015, Arts on the Horizon's show, Blossom's Rainbow, was an event of the 2015 National Cherry Blossom Festival.

In January 2016, Arts on the Horizon was nominated for The John Aniello Award for Outstanding Emerging Theatre Company. Arts on the Horizon was honored with the 50 for 50 Arts Inspiration Award from the Virginia Commission for the Arts in January 2018, and recently earned two Helen Hayes nominations for Outstanding Production, Theatre for Young Audiences.

In addition to our performances, we also offer education programs which provide targeted exploration of themes and ideas in order to help children enhance their language development, socialization, and fine and gross motor skills. Our classes all take place in a meaningful, nurturing environment where children can develop their sense of self and increase their knowledge and understanding of the world around them.

Tickets are $6 for children and adults and can be purchased online at http://www.artsonthehorizon.org/www.ArtsOnTheHorizon.org or at the door on the day of the performance. All individuals over the age of 3 months must have a ticket.