The Alliance Theatre, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, High Museum of Art, and Young Audiences are thrilled to present the inaugural TODDLER TAKEOVER: an arts festival for the very young, May 31-June 2, 2014, at the Woodruff Arts Center. Below you can find a full schedule for the festival and see how each body of the Woodruff Arts Center will be contributing to make this amazing!
For the first two days of the festival, May 31-June 1, the Woodruff Arts Center will open its doors to the youngest members of our community and inspire the next generation through world-class artistic experiences and arts based workshops. June 2nd will be devoted to professional development for early childhood educators and will include workshops that teach arts learning strategies for the classroom.
The following packages are available:
1 Day Pass: $25 per person
2 Day Pass: $45 per person
Family Four Pack: $80 per day (includes parking)
Educator Day (June 2): $25 per person
PLANNED EVENTS FOR MAY 31-JUNE 1:
Activities:
Alliance Theatre’s Baby Yoga
Led by certified yoga instructor Matt Baum, of Little Raindrop Songs. A 30 minute yoga session with toddlers front and center with their caregivers.
Alliance Theatre’s Drama Tots Workshop: CHILD’S GARDEN
An artistic approach to preparing child and caregiver to see the play, A Child’s Garden of Verses. In this 30 minute class session, students will explore nature through creative play and sensory activities.
High Museum of Art Stroller Gallery Tour
Join High Museum education staff for an engaging 30 minute tour of Dream Cars: Innovative Design, Visionary Ideas just for caregivers and their toddlers before the museum opens. Expect conversation, touchable objects, and some engine revving.
Alliance Theatre’s Baby ArtsPlay Workshop: POEMS
A Wolf Trap Early Learning Through the Arts session for child and caregiver to explore themes of the play A Child’s Garden of Verses. In this 30 minute session, students will play with the delightful poetry of Robert Louis Stevenson and search for rhymes found in nature.
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Instrument Petting Zoo
Ever wanted to try an instrument on for size? In this hands-on station, children are encouraged to touch and play the instruments featured in the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.
Side-by Side Art Making with a High Museum Artist
Watch while an artist creates a masterpiece before your very eyes. Then, you and your caregiver will work together to make something to hang up at home.
Young Audiences Arts Inspired Play Space
An artistic retreat from the structure of performances and workshops, this room will encourage the interaction of children and families with multiple art forms in the same space. There will be opportunities for artful construction through the use of found objects, making art while listening to different kinds of music, using visual art to inspire physical movement and the opportunity to read storybooks about art.
Alliance Theatre Drama Tots Workshop: TORTUGA
An artistic approach to preparing child and caregiver to see the play, The Tortuga and the Hare. In this 30 minute class session, students will explore the story of The Tortoise and the Hare through creative movement and music.
Alliance Theatre Baby ArtsPlay Workshop: STEADY BEAT
A Wolf Trap Early Learning Through the Arts session for child and caregiver to explore themes of the play The Tortuga and the Hare. In this 30 minute session, students will participate in music and drama activities to introduce steady rhythmic beats as a tool for early literacy.
Alliance Theatre Drama Tots Workshop: BALLOON
An artistic approach to preparing child and caregiver to see the play, Waiting for Balloon. In this 30 minute class session, students will explore gentle clowning and found object puppetry.
Alliance Theatre Baby ArtsPlay Workshop: PUPPETS
A Wolf Trap Early Learning Through the Arts session for child and caregiver to explore themes of the play Waiting for Balloon. In this 30 minute session, students will explore the use of puppetry to tell stories.
Alliance Theatre Drama Tots Workshop: SONGS TO GROW ON
An artistic approach to preparing child and caregiver to see the play, Songs to Grow On. In this 30 minute class session, students will explore the act of traveling the country with a song in their heart.
Alliance Theatre Baby ArtsPlay Workshop: TRAVELING SONGS
A Wolf Trap Early Learning Through the Arts session for child and caregiver to explore themes of the play Songs to Grow On. In this 30 minute session, students will sing along with some of our favorite traveling songs.
Performances:
Alliance Theatre for the Very Young Performance – A Child’s Garden of Verses
Written by Barry Kornhauser
Directed by Rosemary Newcott
Based on the beloved poetry of Robert Louis Stevenson
Explore the sounds and sensations of nature as you journey through a magical garden. Children will be actively engaged in this multi-sensory performance as they willingly become a part of the artistic experience. A “cultural” garden in which children can grow their imaginations, and become gardeners themselves!
Young Audiences Artist Michael Levine in Concert
“Mr. Michael” Levine is the co-founder of The Learning Groove (TLG) as well as the music producer of the first four The New York Times bestselling Pete The Cat books by Eric Litwin and James Dean. Mr. Michael’s amazing rockin’ and interactive show teaches children through the joy of music and storytelling. He engages children and parents in call and response, creative movement, songwriting, and singing songs from many cultures.
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Music for the Very Young : WORLD PREMIERE of Opus ZOO
The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s debut of Music for the Very Young Opus Zoo will incorporate an audience of 18 months – 5 year olds and their caregivers. Explore the musical ZOO with Atlanta Symphony Orchestra musicians!
Alliance Theatre for the Very Young performance – The Tortuga and the Hare
Created & directed by Lauri Stallings and Rosemary Newcott
The race is today! Join in the fun and excitement as the tortoise and the hare hit the starting line. The audience is invited into the center of the race track to experience the action all around them. Through dance, movement, music and storytelling, young children will engage in this classic folk tale in imaginative and new ways.
Alliance Theatre for the Very Young performance – Waiting for Balloon
Written by TMarq
Directed by Rosemary Newcott
Two childlike hobo-clown characters are waiting near the railroad tracks for “balloon”. The problem is that neither of them knows exactly what “balloon” is. Through delightful trial and error, exploration and interaction with the audience, the two piece together what makes a balloon a balloon and celebrate all that is discovered while we wait! This is a joyous introduction to gentle clowning and the joy of creating puppets from recently discovered objects, (designed by Michael Haverty).
Alliance Theatre for the Very Young performance – Songs to Grow On
Directed by Rosemary Newcott
Inspired by the fun and inventive children’s songs of Woody Guthrie, Songs to Grow On invites children on a one of a kind journey across the country in search of the sounds of America. A tale of friendship, travel, and most of all the love of song. This unforgettable experience celebrates the joyful noise of harmony.
PLANNED ACTIVITIES FOR JUNE 2:
June 2 is open to educators of preschool classrooms.
Registration will begin in March. For additional information and to purchase tickets, visit www.alliancetheatre.org/production/toddler-takeover
An entire festival dedicated to our youngest! How cool is that? With so many options available there’s definitely something for everyone. Be sure to mark these dates 😉
-Melanie Marx
TPR