Miami Youth Ballet

The Carnival of the Animals is a life changing experience that brings students into the world of dance, in a manner that appeals to their senses and their generation. It is an original story ballet with a dual mission; entertainment and education. Students will be introduced to the art of dance in a creative and entertaining way. It includes a multi-media presentation; an original libretto and musical score, elaborate costumes and sets, as well as video projections of the different biomes to which our main characters will travel. It emphasizes the importance of caring for our planet’s fauna and flora and the fact that we all need to do our part. It leads students into discussion about social issues of conservation and protection of our endangered species.

Our main characters travel around the world rescuing animals in distress and cleaning the environment so that earth’s wildlife can attend the “Carnival of the Animals” at the ballet’s finale.  Along the way they encounter animals such as a Florida panther, penguins, a lion, a rhinoceros, butterflies, birds, zebras, tortoises, an alligator, gorillas and a manatee.  Each scene is played out in front of a screen on which  video backdrops are projected to simulate ecosystems from around the world.  The ballet itself is preceded by a narrated video/slide production about various endangered species that the students will then see portrayed in the ballet. 

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Every student who participates receives a study guide that they use independently or in the classroom, depending upon the teacher’s curriculum and plans.  The workbook contains age appropriate activities that address both the ballet and its environmental theme.  Students create their own ballet, create a poster, write a poem or draw a picture about their ballet experience.  Teachers hold an essay contest in their class about the ballet or its message and winners from each school are awarded prizes to be determined.

Past presentations of this program have proved to be tremendously successful. The positive responses expressed in the student evaluations and essays, audience reaction and teacher feedback from past performances, show us that we have achieved the desired outcome of sharing the joy of fine art as we educate students about important social issues such as the environment, endangered species and team work.  The most common sentiment we hear from the students is that they are inspired to make a difference in protecting our natural resources and wildlife and that even the smallest simple thing can make a difference.