From left, Arturo Hernandez, Sonia Roman, Jianzi Colon-Soto in DOT DOT DOT: A New Musical. Photo by Jeremy Daniel
By Natasha Anderson
Tickets are on sale now for the first two shows in The Wortham Center’s popular Student Series, featuring high-quality, curriculum-related performances by professional, nationally touring companies in music, dance and theater. The Student Series is open to school groups, homeschoolers, community groups and families with students from pre-K to grade 12, serving thousands of youth each year. Reservations open for all shows in the series on August 22.
The Adventures of Tortoise and Hare: The Next Generation. Lightwire Theater
“We hope to open hearts, minds and imaginations to new possibilities with shows that represent a wide array of experiences,” says Wortham Center’s education and engagement director Anna Kimmel. “Whether we’re presenting reimagined classic literature like this season’s production of The Odyssey, abstract dance performances by Parsons Dance, Pilobolus and Stewart/Owen Dance, or shows that celebrate global art and culture like Step Afrika! and Drum Tao, kids consistently wow us with how deeply they respond to our performances: wide eyes, huge cheers, big laughs, thoughtful questions and intriguing post-show conversations.”
The season kicks off Monday, September 25, with Artrageous, a high-energy performance that is a combination of all arts on one stage, combined with humor and interaction in a frenzy of movement and color. During this performance, audiences will experience dance, puppetry, music, amazing lighting design and paintings created before their eyes.
On Friday, October 6, The Adventures of Tortoise and Hare: The Next Generation takes place. “Lightwire Theater’s production is going to be a really unique and exciting experience for audiences,” says Kimmell. “The theater will be in total darkness except for the electroluminescent costumes worn by the actors and dancers, creating animals and illusions of all kinds!”
Wortham Center also welcomes back TheaterWorksUSA, with DOT DOT DOT: A New Musical, based on Peter H. Reynolds’ best-selling book The Dot; Pilobolus, with an interactive performance celebrating movement and creativity; and Stewart/Owen Dance, showcasing amazing work created in Asheville. “The companies we invite back year after year continue to present engaging and exciting work that students, teachers and families love,” says Kimmell. “We’re always proud to have these companies back by popular demand and can’t wait to share their work onstage.”
Wortham Center’s Youth Education Scholarship Fund provides need-based scholarships to cover the cost of admission for students and schools.
Wortham Center for the Performing Arts is located at 18 Biltmore Avenue in downtown Asheville. To learn more, visit WorthamArts.org or call 828.257.4530.
