Dance for the Commonwealth (Local Outreach)
José Mateo Ballet Theatre is committed to making ballet an accessible art form.
From the organization's inception, community outreach has been an
integral part of its mission. José Mateo Ballet Theatre has initiated Dance for
the CommonWealth, a comprehensive effort to make ballet easily accessible
through a series of eight outreach programs related to the company
and school. These programs introduce new audiences to the art form
by providing training, educational opportunities, and tickets to public
performances. Highlights include:
- Community Ticket Access Program (CTAP). Annually since
1989 CTAP has provided free tickets to disadvantaged children,
seniors, and adults. Recipients include Starlight Make-a-Wish
Foundation, Bridge Over Troubled Waters, AIDS Action Committee,
New England Home for Little Wanderers, and the Urban League.
- Reduced Admissions Programs. The Youth Concert Series
and Seniors Matinee Series present performances offered at discounted
admissions.
- Dance Scholarships. Since the inception of the Young
Dancers Program in 1986, Ballet Theatre has subsidized tuition
for children of low-income families.
- Inclusive Children's Performance Opportunities. For
its annual production of The Nutcracker, José Mateo Ballet Theatre invites area children who wish to gain professional theatrical experience to
open auditions. (Most other professional productions include only
children from their own school.)
- Educational Outreach. Education programs for primary
and secondary students are produced to accompany most of the professional
productions. Typically these include performance/lecture series,
in-school workshops, and study guides for teachers.
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